What Are the Benefits of Adopting Senior Pets?

Adopting a senior pet might sound challenging at first, but understanding their unique needs can make the journey smooth and rewarding. Dogs and cats typically fall into the senior category at around seven years old.

These veterans of life tend to have a slower pace, but are rich in character, come with fewer surprises and bring much more to the table than you may realize!

6 Benefits of Adopting a Senior Pet

Adopting a senior pet results in countless benefits for the owner.  Ask anyone who’s ever taken in an older dog or cat and they’ll attest to it.  Senior pets have so much to give!

Here are 6 outstanding benefits you’ll receive from adopting a senior pet:

1.  Senior pets bring a whole new vibe into a household.  They tend to be more chillaxed, making them perfect companions for folks who prefer a slower pace in life.

Imagine a pet that’s totally content just hanging out and watching TV with you.  No need for marathon runs in the park, though they might enjoy a gentle walk.

2.  One of the coolest perks is that senior pets often come with some serious life experience.  They’re usually house-trained, past the teething phase, and settled in their personalities.  For anyone wanting a furry friend without the puppy and kitten chaos, older pets are the answer!

3.  Speaking of personalities, older pets tend to have them in spades.  You’ll likely find a pet who knows itself well, leaving you to skip the guessing game of what kind of pet they’ll grow into.

4.  Adopting a senior pet is like giving yourself a gift that keeps on giving.  It’s an emotional boost like no other, knowing you’re also granting the gift of a cozy home to an animal in its golden years.

The bond you build with a senior pet runs deep, and you’ll see how much they appreciate the second chance to live their best life (awww…).

5.  Shelters often offer incentives like reduced adoption fees for senior pets.  That’s a real perk for you too, beyond the emotional connection.   It’s rewarding in so many ways, helping you save some cash while making a powerful impact.

To find such shelters in your area, read my post, How to Find a Pet to Adopt Near You (includes video).

6.  You’re helping rescue more than just one animal! We’ll talk about how your adopting even one senior pet can impact several others a bit later in this post. But first, let’s talk about the the concerns you likely have about adopting a senior pet.

Check out my post, Benefits of Adopting Pets from Shelters for even more reasons to rescue these little sweeties!

Health Concerns for Senior Pets

Aging can introduce a mix of health quirks like arthritis, dental issues, and a bit of sluggishness.  It’s pretty common for older pets to face these hurdles, and knowing what to expect can help a lot.

Small adjustments at home, like softer bedding or pet stairs, can work wonders for a creaky pet.

These articles are a must!  For help to understand and spot what your senior pet may struggle with and how you can help them, check out these articles (each include a video!)

10 Tips When Caring for a Senior Dog

How to Help an Aging Cat

Veterinary Care for Senior Pets

Regular vet visits become super important too, helping spot any issues early before they grow into bigger problems.

If you’re going to adopt a senior pet, I strongly recommend getting pet health insurance.  Realize that most insurance companies won’t pay for vet expenses for existing illnesses (just like with humans).  But elderly pets may need medical help as they age on various issues.

I had an elderly cat who got a bladder stone and needed expensive surgery.  I also had two elderly dogs who both suffered from congestive heart failure and one also developed Cushings Disease.  I didn’t know about pet health insurance back then. It definitely would’ve helped!

My recommendation for pet health insurance is Lemonade Pet Insurance. You can read my full review of Lemonade Pet Insurance here.

For more information about pet health insurance, read these articles (each include a video):

Is Dog Insurance Worth the Cost?

Is Cat Insurance Worth the Cost?

Regular vet check-ups are your secret weapon. They’re less about putting out fires and more about keeping everything on an even keel.  Younger pets should be seen on an annual basis, but older pets should be seen by a veterinarian twice a year.

By the way, as of the date of this post, I’m 57 years old.  I miss the old days when I went to my doctor for an annual checkup and that was it!  Now it seems like I’m there all the time…LOL  I guess pets are the same way as they age.

Preventive care is important for senior pets.  Things like vaccinations, proper grooming, and dental cleanings can add years to your pet’s life and keep them comfortable.  By being proactive, you’re not just prolonging their life but enhancing the quality of their golden years.

Best Nutrition for Senior Pets

Diet-wise, senior pets usually benefit from tailored nutrition. Think lower calories but higher quality ingredients and supplements that support joint health.

It’s a bit like switching from fast food to a balanced diet—older bodies can thrive with the extra care.

Talk with your vet about what’s best for your pet’s nutrition and supplements.  Also check out my article, Best and Worst Foods for Your Pet for some help.

If your budget allows, you might consider fresh pet food.  There are tons of reviews out there that say this helps older pets immensely!  Here are some recommendations:

The Farmer’s Dog fresh dog food.  Click here for 50% off your first order or read my full review of The Farmer’s Dog here.

Nom Nom fresh dog food.  Here’s a link for 50% off your first order and here’s my full review of Nom Nom dog food.

A Pup Above wet and dry dog food.  Here’s my review of A Pup Above dog food and here’s a discount link.

For cats, check out Smalls.com for fresh cat food.

Also check out my video, What is the Best Food for My Cat? (spoiler alert…your cat should have WET food!)

Adopting a Senior Dog

I’ve personally adopted two senior dogs.  One was my Miniature Dachshund, Taz, who I adopted when she was about 8 years old.

I had her for six and a half years, so that put her at about 14 years old when she passed.

Then I adopted my Boston Terrier, Cagney,  He was 10 when I adopted him, and around 12 when he passed.

That’s them in the picture.  I’ll never forget these two dogs as long as I live.  In the fairly short time I was able to own each of them, they brought me countless hours of joy, love, companionship and entertainment.  They were the loves of my life.

For more help on taking care of a senior dog, check out these articles.  Each one includes a video.

Exercising Senior Dogs Safely

How to Potty Train an Adult Dog

Training Older Dogs

Adopting Rescue Dogs

Adopting a Senior Cat

I’ve never adopted a senior cat, but I did have a cat who lived 20 years!

That’s her in the picture.  She was absolutely beautiful in every way.

For help with taking care of a senior cat, read my article, How to Help an Aging Cat (includes video).

Before you make the decision to get a cat, senior or not, please read my post, How to Adopt a Cat (includes video).

Also check out this article from the ASPCA on Caring for Senior Cats.

Or watch cat expert, Jackson Galaxy’s video, 3 Tips for Healthy and Happy Senior Cats.

Adopting a Senior Pet Helps Rescue More Animals!

Taking in a senior pet doesn’t just leave you with a warm, fuzzy feeling.  It also makes a big difference in the world of animal rescue.

Shelters everywhere are jam-packed, and older pets often spend the longest time waiting for forever homes because puppies and kittens are super popular.

By choosing to adopt an older pet, you’re opening space for these shelters to help more animals in need.

Every senior pet adoption chips away at the problem of overcrowded shelters.  It feels good to be part of the bigger picture!

Sometimes the best inspiration comes from others who have been there. Community stories of successful senior adoptions can motivate more people to take that step.

Shared experiences and the chance to meet others who love their senior pet companions turn adopting into not just a personal win, but a shared community triumph.

Please Share Your Experience!

I’d love it if you’d comment below this post to let me know if you decided to adopt a senior pet and what your experience has been.

I’m sure others reading this article in the future would love to know too!

Also, please feel free to send me an email at PeopleLovingAnimals@yahoo.com with a picture of your adopted senior pet!  Who knows…you might see their picture pop up in future posts on my website or on my Pinterest boards!

I Donate to Animal Charities

Thanks so much for visiting my website.  I hope this post has inspired you to go ahead and rescue an older dog or cat from your local shelter.

It breaks my heart when an elderly animal finds themselves without a home.  By that stage in life, most pets just want love, shelter, food, warmth and companionship.  And like I said, they give SO much in return!

I earn small commissions on some of the products and services I recommend on this site.  I donate 10% of my earnings to the animal charities listed here.  If you found my site useful, please share it with fellow animal lovers!  Thanks so much.  Debra

Check Out My Other Posts About Pet Care Here