Bringing a senior dog into your home can be an immensely rewarding experience. But senior dogs, defined as dogs aged seven or eight (depending on breed) and up, are a little different from young adult dogs or puppies in some key ways. Understanding those differences can help you decide if they would be a good fit for your household. We talked to some experts for a look at the benefits and challenges of adopting an older dog.
Kyya Grant, the shelter director of Adams County Pet Rescue (ACPR), and Malinda McMinn, a volunteer who specialises in rescuing senior dogs, share their thoughts on what potential pet parents should know about adopting older dogs.
What Adopting a Senior Dog Entails
Caring for a senior dog is different from raising a puppy or bringing a younger adult dog into your home. They’re likely already house-trained and have well-developed habits from their former household. Those can include habits that are compatible and not so compatible with your household.
Because of that, patience and observation are key. Pet parents should be cognisant of the senior dog’s previous life, says Grant, which is something that they should learn about going into the adoption. So one of the best things you can do once you’ve made the decision to bring a senior dog home is to spend time just watching and learning their body language and likes and dislikes.
“We recommend watching videos on [dog] body language so more people understand [it]. Some can be achy and grouchy, so if they give you signs that they don’t want to be petted or messed with, honour that and let them have their space,” says Grant. “Just little things like that will make your life and your senior dog’s life better.”
Training
One of the biggest upsides to older dogs is that far less training is needed than with their younger counterparts, particularly when it comes to basics like house training or fundamentals like ‘sit’.
For the most part, a senior dog will fit into their new household with you. “Many can learn their new lifestyles without too much stress, and the training is minimal,” says Grant. “It’s more about the person being trained to be patient, especially if they’ve never had a senior before.”
As for teaching an old dog new tricks, it’s definitely possible—it just depends on the dog. Some are eager to learn things, says McMinn, or just need a refresher on behaviours or tricks they already know. “Just because they’re old doesn’t mean they can’t learn. It may take a little longer.”
Others, however, may not be able to change that much. McMinn says that’s been the case with some of her dogs, a few of which have been blind and deaf or had neurological issues like dementia.
Supplies
While specific needs will vary widely between senior dogs, there are a few items Grant and McMinn say that senior dog households often need, in addition to the basics.
Beds. Grant says that cushy beds can be great for older arthritic dogs, but getting the right one may require some trial and error. “It’s a balancing act getting something soft enough but [that] lets an older dog get up out of the bed.”
Ramps. Some older dogs might need ramps to get up small flights of stairs or onto the couch. Portable ramps are easy to use. “We also try to block off any areas in the yard they could get stuck in,” says McMinn. “If they come with vision issues, they for some reason always find that weird spot they can’t figure out how to get out of.”
Food and water bowls. Older dogs may need bowls that allow for easier access to food. Grant says that raised bowls or even tipped bowls can be helpful. Non-skid bowls are also usually good. “Some older dogs may even lay down to eat, so dishes that let them do that may be needed.” McMinn says that senior dogs with dental issues will need soft foods, like canned or soft cooked varieties.
Clothing. Seniors may be more sensitive to hot or cold temperatures. “We use doggy jackets and sweaters with our seniors to help regulate their temperature when the days get cooler,” says Grant. “On the flip side, their older bodies can overheat rapidly so need to be kept out of the hot sun and intense heat.” You can try a cooling vest or mat to help.
Potty pads and cleaner. McMinn, who currently has six senior dogs in her household, says washable potty pads and cleaner will come in handy.
SolStock via iStock
Travel
“Some [dogs] travel better than others,” says McMinn, who has been walking and sitting dogs since she was 19, focusing on seniors over the last four. “Potty breaks are key. Stopping more often because those old bladders don’t often hold pee as long as the young ones do. You may need to get them something to calm them or calm their tummy.”
Grant says that in addition to more frequent potty breaks, pay attention to temperature regulation, and make sure you bring enough of any medications they need so they stay on schedule. And pack enough of their food “so you won’t have to run around on your travels trying to find the same food, or even worse, if you run out of medication, [trying] to get it filled in another town can be a hardship.”
She adds: “Make sure they enjoy travelling, and don’t force it if they don’t.”
For those that don’t, McMinn recommends finding a good sitter, especially one that knows senior dogs, so you can leave them in good hands while you travel. That means making sure they know what to expect and do in the case of a medical emergency.
She says: “Medical issues can happen like seizures and strokes. They may need to take them to the vet while you are away. Remember to leave a credit card for them for any emergencies. Does it happen often? No, but it definitely can.”
Vet care
Older dogs require the same kind of routine vet care that younger dogs do. Take them in for their annual wellness visit, which can help catch issues as early as possible. Whether they start requiring specialised care depends on the dog, but many ageing dogs may have vision or hearing loss. They can also develop arthritis, cognitive issues, and diseases. That includes heart disease or cancer, which is the cause of death for almost half of dogs, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Benefits of Adopting an Older Dog
Bringing a senior dog to join your family can be hugely rewarding for pet parents and the dog themselves. “It’s so rewarding,” says McMinn. “To see them happy and blossom. You may have them years or you may have them weeks, but knowing they are happy, fed, and loved and not alone at the end, makes it all worth it.”
There are a few other good reasons to adopt a senior dog.
Older dogs already know how to live in a house. Unlike with puppies, senior dogs are unlikely to chew your house up; they’re also usually house-trained. They may just need a refresher on some things they already know once they are in their new environment at your home. That means once they get used to your home, you can likely leave them home alone for a reasonable amount of time far sooner than you can with a puppy.
They’re less active. Even the most spry senior dog can’t compete with puppy or even young adult dog energy. Walks and enrichment activities should always be a part of your dog’s daily routine, but a senior dog won’t take nearly as much energy to wear out.
Disadvantages of Adopting a Senior Dog
It’s important to be realistic about some of the challenges that can come with adopting an older dog. “Many times they might not be able to see or hear well. Their mobility may be limited. Their brains may not be firing as quick and they may be overwhelmed and confused. Sometimes they may not hold their bladders very well,” says McMinn. “Many have been with the same person their entire lives and all of a sudden their entire world changes. It can be very confusing scary and overwhelming.”
Less time. “The most often heard statement from people not wanting a senior dog is that they don’t want to go through the loss when it dies,” says Grant. “We would encourage people to go into it with their eyes open and know that this dog has days, months or years left but be prepared mentally to let the dog go when it’s time.”
Special needs. You may need to invest in an orthopaedic bed for your senior dog’s bone or joint issues, buy special food, or problem-solve with pee pads or diapers if they become incontinent. They might have a thyroid issue or develop skin issues, or need dental work to get bad teeth removed.
“It’s just preparing yourself for that,” says McMinn. “It’s not easy getting old, and we all start having issues when it begins to happen.” But she notes that making sure you have a great vet and communicating with them is key. “Many times the vets can figure it out and oftentimes they may just need to be on medication.”
Trauma. Sometimes trauma in a dog’s past creates behavioural issues, and that’s why they’re at the rescue or shelter. Ask questions about their previous household, but also know that it might be impossible to know the full circumstances of a dog’s previous life.
Anna_Belova via iStock
Is a Senior Dog Right for You?
One thing to keep in mind is that ultimately, if we’re lucky, every dog becomes a senior dog. So if you’re intent on getting a dog, it’s not so much a question of whether a senior dog is right for you as whether you’re ready for a senior dog right now.
Here’s a breakdown of the qualities that might make a senior dog a good fit—and those that won’t.
Who might appreciate a senior dog:
- Pet parents who are able to be patient and flexible in order to learn about their older dog’s needs.
- Pet parents who want a dog that is used to living in a house.
- Households who are ready to manage potential medical issues, both small ones that are common with ageing and larger ones.
- Pet parents who want to give a loving home to a dog in their golden years.
- Families who are looking for a calmer dog with fewer exercise needs than a puppy or adolescent.
Who isn’t ready for a senior dog:
- Pet parents who want a dog to grow with their household.
- High-energy households who want a reliably active companion.
- Anyone who feels unprepared to take on medical costs and decisions that may come more quickly with an older dog.
- Those who don’t feel they can handle the heartache of losing a dog after a just few years.
From McMinn’s perspective: “It is a wonderful experience. It makes my heart full. Sometimes we have years with them, other times it’s just a couple of months. For me, I would rather have the broken heart from saying goodbye and holding them while they transition, than the heartbreak of knowing that they are dying alone in a shelter. Their golden years should not be spent there, but in a home full of love with a soft bed. Good food, warm blankets, and toys. They deserve it.”
“Yes, it will hurt [when they go], but knowing that you gave this senior dog a loving, dignified ending to a long life should bring you comfort,” says Grant. “They have as much love to give back as a younger dog. They need kind people in their final days.”
How Do You Adopt a Senior Dog?
There are a variety of ways to begin your search for a senior dog to adopt.
Shelters and rescue organisations are great places to start looking, and you can search online for places near you. Some organisations are even dedicated to rehoming senior dogs.
When adopting an older dog, Grant says that being aware of their previous life is one of the most important ways to find out if you will be a good fit. Ask questions. For example, Grant says: “If they came from an elderly person who had a very quiet home, you probably don’t want to adopt that dog if you have kids and a noisy household.”
Find out about the dog’s medical history and current medical issues, as well as whether they get along with other dogs, pets, or children. Many rescues have dogs living with foster families, which can be a great chance to meet them first and learn about their habits.
Further Reading
