You might be surprised at how valuable and life-changing bringing an older dog into your life can be. That said, before you pick up that phone and call your animal shelter, here are a few things you need to know.
They Can Have Health Issues
It’s important to realize that senior dogs may have some health problems that are associated with age. These can range from somewhat minor issues such as arthritis or cataracts to more serious conditions like cancer or heart disease. Before you bring home any pet, it’s smart to have them checked by a veterinarian for any known conditions or diseases they might have. Even if they’ve been treated for these issues in the past, it’s possible they could reoccur later on in life.
They May Not Be Ideal Companions for Young Children or Other Pets
Some people choose older dogs because they want to avoid having puppies around the house — but that doesn’t mean an older dog will necessarily fit into your family just as well as a younger one would! Older dogs also tend to be more set in their ways and aren’t as flexible when learning new things as their younger counterparts are. So if you have children or other young pets at home, make sure to take the senior dog’s personality into account.
They May Have Behavior Problems from Being Abandoned
Older dogs often come from shelters where they were abandoned by their families due to behavior issues that could have been resolved if only their owners had taken the time to work through them. And since most shelters don’t have the resources available for intensive training, these dogs don’t learn to behave differently. If you are bringing home a senior dog with behavioral issues, keep in mind that you may have to spend money on training.
Don’t Expect Them to Be Perfect Right Away
The older the dog, the longer it may take for them to settle into its new home. They might not trust strangers right away or struggle with house training issues due to past experiences. This is why patience is so important!
