It’s Adopt a Senior Pet Month! What You Should Know Before Bringing Home a Senior Dog
Adopt a Senior Pet Month is celebrated during November! Throughout the month, animal lovers are encouraged to consider adopting or fostering a senior pet. While most people seem to just want a puppy, becoming a pup parent to a senior dog can be incredibly rewarding. For one, they usually know some useful tricks and are typically already housebroken, which is a major bonus! And these older fellas are typically calmer than their younger counterparts, meaning they’re ideal for those who enjoy nothing more than curling up on the couch and watching a full season of your favorite Bravo show.
It is worth noting that dogs are considered seniors by the time they are eight years old. This means you’ll have plenty of time with your furry friend, especially if they are a smaller breed. Take it for me, I have a 10-year-old 9-pound pup and she has so much life in her!
That being said, if you do decide to adopt a senior dog, you do need to prepare yourself accordingly.
Here are a few of our tips and tricks on what to do before giving an older dog their forever home.
Make A Senior Dog Checklist
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Before bringing home your senior dog, you’ll want to purchase some necessities. We recommend starting with a bed, toys, food, treats, bowls, a harness, and a leash.
You’ll also want to make sure that you have items, like a ramp, stools, or a stepping stool, that could assist with any potential mobility issues, as some senior pups have arthritis.
Hardwood floors can also be difficult for your senior dog to walk on. One solution for this is to invest in some non-slip rugs.
Be Aware Of How Much Exercise They Need
While senior dogs are usually not super active, your pup should still get some exercise. For our older doggos, an easy 20-minute walk or a few games of fetch per day should do the trick.
“Muscles support joints. Without good muscle tone, mobility decreases drastically. This is why pet physical therapy has become so commonly used. Joints in motion stay limber; joints not in motion get stiff,” explained Dr. Judy Morgan of Clayton Veterinary Associates and Churchtown Veterinary Associates to Pet Central.
Keep An Eye On Fido’s Diet
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To avoid any digestive issues, consult with your vet about what type of food is most suitable for your senior dog.
Go To The Vet Often
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Speaking of vets, you’ll have to schedule physicals for your senior pup at least twice a year. While regularly taking your senior dog to the vet may cause your furry friend to resent you a little, it’s necessary so that he can have the best quality of life possible.
Pay Attention To Your Furry Friend’s Teeth
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Unfortunately, older dogs have a more likely chance than their younger counterparts to have issues with their oral health. To prevent this from occurring, be sure to set time out of your day to brush your canine companion’s pearly whites.