When An Older Pet Is The Right Choice + Quiz

A lot of us think of adopting a pet as bringing home a kitten or puppy. But it is so much more than just that. A responsibility, a new task to add to your to-do list, and a whole new life depending on you.

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Obviously, it is a whole responsibility, so feel free to check out whether you are ready for pets, and here is the parents' version. But of course, adopting a pet is not necessarily getting a kitten or puppy. It could mean getting a mature cat or dog and sometimes, this may even be the right choice. While some of us are probably ready for a 10-20 years commitment, you are reasonably better off getting an older pet if you can check the following:

• You work 50+ hours a week.
• You don't have time to train your pet.
• You aren't okay with the idea of ripped couches or torn shoes. 
• You don't want your pet to bite anything or anyone.
• You have children at or below 10 years of age.
• You cannot take breaks from work to come home and give your pet a bathroom break.

If you work long hours, you will notice your pet acting out bcoz of separation anxiety. Acting out meaning doing naughty things to get your attention. Plus, if your furball is mature, they would have already gone through their teething stage and would probably not bite anyone. If you have young children, they might mishandle the pet and cause injuries. And lastly, young animals will not poo or pee in their crate to keep it clean and there is only so long they can hold it, so you will have to come home and let them out. 

So, where do you turn?

A mature pet.

Adopting an older pet has a lot of benefits, namely:

1. They are through the teething stage and aren't gonna nip at your stuff.
2. They are already familiar with humans and won't be as scared of you as a young kitten or puppy.
3. There are also breeds which could be senior. You could find them in a breed shelter.
4. They are (most probably) already trained.
5. Older animals are not considered much due to the popularity of young ones. So you would be a hero if you adopt them, giving them a second chance in life.
6. Their appearance, behavior, and character have already been ascertained. So you get what you see.
7. They are less destructive.
8. They are calmer around young kids.
9. They have been spayed/neutered.
10. Their vaccinations have been tended to.
11. They won't bark/meow as much when excited, in fact, seniors tend to be calmer than pups or kittens.
12. They are still very much cute :)
13. They love to play. In fact, that might be more true for seniors than young ones.
14. The most arguable one: You'd be saving a life.
15. You would be making space for the next animals to come into the shelter.

Consider adopting an older pet. Not only because it is simpler, but merely because they are the ones that need love the most. They are now going into their golden years. Why not make it as comfortable for them as we would want for us?

Give a chance to these poor fellas. You would become a hero. And who doesn't want to be a hero? You should know that around 733,000 animals, most of which were seniors, were euthanized in 2019, in the USA alone. It is crucial that we take some measures to lessen that estimate. While adopting kittens and puppies is all well and good, if you really want a pet and cannot care for a younger one, then why not get a senior pet? It will be great for both of you and, many adopted seniors seem to know that they have been treated kindly with a new home because they turn very loving and pleasing to their pet parents.

And who doesn't want that love? So give them love and receive it, cuz these guys may be old, but their heart is still the same with love to give.