Exercise
Adopting a senior dog does not get you out of exercise; all dogs need physical activity. Exercise keeps their bodies and minds healthy and limits a lot of undesirable behavior that is brought about by under-stimulation. That said, older dogs need much less exercise than puppies and young dogs. Puppies are always go, go, go, even when it's not playtime! Many pet parents have to crate their puppies when they aren't home so the little guys stay out of trouble. (And crate training your puppy is yet another skill to teach him, too!)
But this definitely doesn't mean that senior dogs don't have fun! Most senior dogs love activity. In fact, many are surprisingly active and agile in their mature age; they just don't need quite as much exercise. A walk a day, a game of fetch with their favorite toy, or a quick swim is often enough to keep them physically and mentally stimulated. PetMD advises playtime may have to be shorter as mature dogs may not have the stamina they once had.
Senior dogs want to be with their people, and they are content to settle in their favorite spot in the house as they are to be outside in the sunshine. Because they don't demand as much attention and care from their human family as puppies do, senior dogs are an excellent choice for someone who is a little more laid back and looking for a cuddle buddy on the couch. Adopting an older dog gives pet parents exactly the energy level they are looking for in a furry friend.
Veterinary Care
It might seem like a senior dog will need more veterinary care than a puppy or young dog, but this is actually not the case. Unless you're specifically looking to bring home a dog with special needs, most senior dogs in shelters are healthy and just need somewhere to call home. They are already spayed or neutered, they are up to date on their vaccinations, and they are less susceptible to the many diseases that pose a danger to puppies. Puppies need several sets of vaccinations to avoid infections and diseases, which senior dogs are very unlikely to contract, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. A senior dog is grown, established, and ready to find a home he can stay at forever.
Nutritional Care
If you're considering adopting an older dog, make sure to also consider what you're going to feed him. Mature dogs require different nutritional requirements than their younger friends. For this reason, picking up a generic bag of dog food at your local grocery store might not be the best fit.
You should look for a food that is formulated specifically to meet the needs of your aging dog; including brain function, energy and vitality, immune and digestive system, and coat support. Consider a food like Hill's® Science Diet® Youthful Vitality dog food, specially formulated with the needs of mature and senior dogs in mind to help support their ongoing vitality through increased activity, interaction and mobility.
Not sure if your dog is considered a senior yet? Use this helpful tool to determine how old your dog is human years.
Life-long Love
Senior dog adoption gives you the opportunity to choose the personality that fits perfectly with your lifestyle. Not only are there enormous benefits to bringing home a senior dog, you can feel great about giving him a forever home in his golden years.