Are you looking into adopting an older dog? This is a heartwarming choice, as you are giving senior dogs a chance to enjoy a loving home to live out their golden years peacefully. They are also great for households that want a calm and quiet form of love, away from the whining and energetic years puppies will experience!
However, adopting an older dog is a bit different from getting younger dogs. You will need to prepare ahead and know what to expect to lessen any struggles faced as you have an older dog around.
Here are some tips you should follow:
- Get their medical history and pet insurance
Older dogs may have medical issues as they grew up, depending on their background. Don’t worry, as medical issues can be managed easily, as long as you’re knowledgeable on what they are. If your chosen senior dog has pricey medical conditions, rescues may offer shared ownerships, where they pay for medical fees.
Be sure to discuss the dog’s medical history and issues, along with their needs, so you know if they are right for the household. Furthermore, invest in pet insurance, as much as possible. This will prevent you from paying too much, with most conditions (except pre-existing ones) being covered.
- Research common diseases and ask about their needs
It is an owner’s responsibility to notice any signs of conditions and diseases so in case your chosen dog experiences it, you can raise such issues to their vet immediately. However, we understand it’s difficult to identify what’s normal for older pets, which is why research needs to be done.
Know more about the common signs of diseases that older dogs are at risks of, such as arthritis, cancer, kidney disease, and more. You can ask the animal shelter to learn more about the different signs and behaviors to see if it is normal.
Besides this, do talk to the shelter or animal rescue about the dog’s behavior and their training needs. Senior dogs may have already been trained, while others haven’t. Ask the center about what they need, if they are toilet trained and follow basic commands, if they are fearful or aggressive, and the like. This will help you prepare and know what you need to train for the dog and to be more understanding if they are scared or a bit aggressive.
- Set up their new home
There are things you need to buy to ensure your home is a good environment for a senior dog, such as:
- Dog toys or safe stuffed toys, such as the ones from Peggasus Pets
- A good orthopedic dog bed for their joints
- Appropriate dog food
- Safety gates and rubber-backed rugs that help block off any dangers and risk of accidents
Wrapping It Up
Adopting an older dog will bring you and your family a ton of love and peaceful home filled with love and joy. As long as you’re prepared and follow the tips above, the adoption process will be smooth, and your new dog will be happy in its new home!
