Why Senior Pets Make Great Companions

While young animals are wonderful, there’s a special, often overlooked, group of pets waiting in shelters: senior dogs and cats. These golden-aged companions have so much to offer and they might just be the perfect fit for your life. Read on to discover all the reasons why adopting a senior pet might be the best decision you’ll ever make.

Reason #1: What you see is what you get

With a puppy or a kitten, you’re often taking home a mystery. How big will they get? What will their personality be like? Will they have a lot of energy? With a senior pet, the guesswork is gone. Their personality is fully formed, their size is known, and their energy level is established. Adopting a senior pet means you can find a dog whose calm demeanor matches your cozy apartment lifestyle or a cat whose gentle nature is well-suited for a family with young children.

Reason #2: Moderate energy levels

The reality of life with a puppy or kitten is days filled with rambunctious play, mischievous exploration, and a need for intensive training and socialization. This high-energy phase can be a good match for an active household, but it can be overwhelming for those seeking a more peaceful companionship. Senior pets, on the other hand, tend to have more moderate energy levels, meaning they’re more interested in a leisurely stroll and a long cuddle on the couch than chewing your favorite shoes. All together, this makes them the ideal companions for busy professionals, seniors, or anyone who prefers a quieter home.

Reason #3: Less training required

It goes without saying that puppies and kittens are a lot of work. Between house training and making sure they don’t get into anything they’re not supposed to, young pets require near-constant supervision. Many senior pets end up in shelters through no fault of their own, and often come with a lifetime of training. They’re likely already house-trained, understand basic commands like "sit" and "stay," and know that the couch isn’t for scratching. This means you can skip the most labor-intensive parts of pet parenting and jump straight to the best part: bonding.

Reason #4: They’re grateful and full of love

The love and loyalty you receive from a senior animal is one-of-a-kind, as if they understand you’ve given them a second chance. Tragically, senior pets are often overlooked by adopters, but if you’re looking for an animal with plenty of love to give there’s no better option. Having often been raised in a home environment, senior pets are already well-versed in the language of family life. This foundation makes them exceptionally loving and devoted to their new adopters, as they understand and appreciate the affection a human companion provides.

What Should I Feed My Senior Dog?

Proper nutrition is a key part of helping senior pets enjoy their golden years to the fullest. As dogs and cats age, they need a diet that is tailored to their changing bodies. This is why we offer recipes designed specifically for senior pets, such as:

●    Healthy Senior Chicken Recipe with Cranberries & Carrots: Crafted by experts for senior dogs, the texture of this recipe is a bit softer for easy chewing and highly palatable for those picky eaters. It also provides mobility support from natural sources of glucosamine and cognitive function support from DHA and EPA.

●    Vital^® Healthy Aging Chicken & Salmon Recipe with Cranberries, Sweet potatoes, & Carrots: With optimal protein and fat levels to help maintain muscle mass and glucosamine and Omega-3 fatty acids support aging joints, this recipe was developed by veterinary nutritionists to support the needs of senior dogs. Plus, it contains no artificial preservatives, colors, flavors, or additives!

The next time you consider adding a furry member to your family, don’t overlook the seniors. It might just be the most rewarding decision – and the best friend – you’ll ever make.