When it comes to adopting a furry friend, puppies, and younger dogs often steal the spotlight. However, adopting a senior dog can be an incredibly rewarding experience.
Senior dogs are often overlooked at shelters, but they have a lot to offer, including years of training and experience, a calm and affectionate personality, and a lot of love to give. They can make great companions for people who prefer a more relaxed lifestyle and require less exercise and attention than younger dogs.
In this article, we’ll explore ten reasons why adopting a senior dog might be the best decision you’ll ever make, and why you should consider giving an older dog a second chance at a happy life.
10 Reasons Why Adopting a Senior Dog Is The Best Decision
They’re Usually Already Trained
Senior dogs often come with years of training and experience. They’re usually housebroken and have already learned basic commands.
They’re Less Energetic
Senior dogs tend to be less energetic than puppies or younger dogs, which can make them a great fit for people who prefer a more relaxed lifestyle.
They Make Great Companions
Senior dogs are often more mellow and affectionate than younger dogs, which can make them great companions for people who are looking for a loyal and loving companion.
They’re Less Demanding
Senior dogs usually require less exercise and attention than younger dogs, which can make them a great fit for busy people or those with limited mobility.
They Have Lower Adoption Fees
Senior dogs often have lower adoption fees than puppies or younger dogs, which can make them a more affordable option for people looking to adopt a furry friend.
They’re Usually Calmer
Senior dogs tend to be calmer and more relaxed than younger dogs, which can make them a great fit for households with children or other pets.
They Often Have Established Personalities
Senior dogs usually have established personalities, which can make it easier to determine if they’re a good fit for your household.
They Often Need Less Training
Senior dogs usually require less training than younger dogs, which can make them a great fit for people who don’t have the time or energy to train a puppy.
They’re Usually Already Socialized
Senior dogs have often been around people and other animals for years, which can make them well-socialized and easy to integrate into a household.
They Have a Lot of Love to Give
Senior dogs are often overlooked at shelters, but they have just as much love to give as younger dogs. Adopting a senior dog can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience, and can give an older dog a chance at a happy and comfortable life.
Sources
- “The adoption of senior companion animals by older adults in veterinary clinics: a randomized controlled trial” by the Journal of Applied Gerontology. Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0733464815621487
- “Effect of adopting a companion dog on depression and loneliness in older adults: a randomized controlled trial” by the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1525861012010023
- “Dog Ownership and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Death – A Nationwide Cohort Study” by Scientific Reports. Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-56037-4
Some of My Favorite Products For Dog Owners
I hope this article has helped you just a bit in everyday life as a dog owner. Being a dog owner for more than 25 years myself, I’ve tried an abundance of different products with varying success, but these products below are some that I can highly recommend to every dog and their owner without hesitation!
These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. But it’s products that I use daily myself, and I have nothing but praise for.
Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be hard, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. But since 2015 when the company was founded, I’ve been using Ollie Petfood. With their product being tailor-made to suit every dog’s specific needs, and as my dogs absolutely love the product, I’m pretty sure I’ve found a product I will continue to use for many years more. If you use my link you can get 50% off your first order.
Dog Training: If you’ve ever owned a puppy, you know that they require a lot of training to grow into a well-behaved adult. Brain Training for Dogs has helped me immensely with the mental training part of raising a dog, and it’s something I strongly recommend you consider.
Grooming: If you have a dog in your home, you’re going to need a brush, and for this, I recommend a Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush. For that price, you simply can’t beat this brush for everyday grooming.
If you’re looking for the most up-to-date recommendations, check out my recommended products section that I’ve created to help every dog owner!
