May 5, 2006

Ask the Animal Behavorist

Adopting senior pets

By Maureen Strenfel
Animal Behaviorist, Humane Society Silicon Valley

Q: I want to get a puppy for my 12-year-old daughter and myself but I’m concerned that we’ll have to leave him alone when she’s at school and I’m at work. A friend told me I should consider getting an older dog, but aren’t they harder to train?

A: If you’re looking for a good pet companion, consider adopting one with a little gray around its muzzle! Each year Humane Society Silicon Valley receives hundreds of senior animals in need of good homes. These mature dogs, cats and rabbits often spend two to three times longer in our adoption areas than our younger pets. Why? Many people overlook older pets thinking younger animals are easier to train or bond with. Not so! Mature pets (those animals that have reached approximately two-thirds of their life expectancy) are the gold nuggets of our adoption program.

Here are just a few benefits of adopting an older pet:

1. Their personalities are developed.
They know who they are and have the admirable qualities that come with maturity. With a mature pet, what you see is what you get.

2. They are less destructive.
Young animals are adorable, but they’re lots of work and require constant attention. With mature animals, you generally avoid destructive behaviors such as chewing, clawing, or climbing curtains that younger pups or kittens enjoy.

3. They are housebroken.
A young animal may never have been housetrained. Mature animals have often been housetrained. Although they may need a “refresher” coming from a shelter environment, that’s a much easier process than housetraining more scratch. And, it’s a myth that older dogs are always more difficult to train. They’re often easier to train due to a longer attention span. .

4. They are easier to leave alone.
Young animals of all types require close supervision. Puppies, for example, can’t be left for more than three to four hours between bathroom breaks. This is important if no one is home during the day.

5. They have a lot of love left to give.
It’s said that shelter animals know they’re being given a second chance when they get adopted and are incredibly grateful, showing that gratitude with love and loyalty. We believe this is even more the case with mature animals, who will often shower you with love and gratitude. And they’ll happily give it to someone who gives them a second chance.

6. Older animals are living longer.
Many people worry that if they adopt a large 6-year-old dog that it won’t live much longer. However, many larger dogs are living to be 15 and 16 years old, thanks to better nutrition and medications to treat arthritis and other conditions.
Lastly, the Humane Society Silicon Valley offers discounts in its pet store and vaccination clinic to people who adopt senior pets.