Adopting an older dog: Both challenging and joyous

Did you know that November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month? So often, when we think of adding a new dog to our household, we think of puppies, or perhaps a dog around 2 or 3 years old. But a senior dog can bring just as much joy into your life and sometimes more!

The sad facts about older dogs are that they’re the most difficult homeless dogs to place in adoptive homes: they spend the longest time of any other age group waiting to be adopted, often living out their final years in a shelter or rescue kennel.

Senior dogs also have higher rates of euthanasia than their younger canine pals.

So, why should you adopt a senior dog? First of all, when you adopt a senior dog, you’re saving a life. At the same time, you’re offering care and comfort to a dog who really deserves it. In return, you get an amazing companion who’s content to be at your side as he drifts into his last years.

With an older dog, what you see is what you get: they’ve already become who they are, so you won’t have any surprises — like the unpleasant one of learning that your loving, social, fun-loving puppy has somehow morphed into an aloof, unfriendly or even aggressive adult.

You also know how large they’re going to get, because they’re already there.

A senior dog has often spent a lifetime with humans, so she knows the rules of the road about living in a home — meaning you don’t have to face the drudgery of housebreaking or the frustration of having your remote control mangled by a puppy chewing machine. Many older dogs already know how to walk well on a leash, respond to commands and understand that nights are for sleeping and days are for playing, unlike younger dogs who frequently think just the opposite. During the day, a mature dog is also calmer, often content to just curl up by your side and take a snooze while you’re reading or working or watching TV. This calmness means they’re better with children and the elderly, both of whom can suffer potentially perilous tumbles when jumped on or smacked into by an overlyzealous young pup.

All that being said, adopting an older dog has its challenges. Senior dogs — just like elderly humans — can have health issues that younger dogs don’t face: age-related arthritis, cataracts and other vision difficulties, hearing loss, dental problems, kidney disease and cognitive dysfunction are the most common. But while they can have an effect on the quality of your senior dog’s life, none of these disorders are unmanageable.

Knowing what conditions affect your dog is paramount, which means a visit with your vet right away for a thorough, noseto-tail evaluation, which could include procedures like blood tests, stool samples, and x-rays.

No matter what, don’t assume that your new dog is “just old” and nothing can be done to help him. Many health and behavior issues can be signs of treatable medical conditions, and your veterinarian is the best source of information on therapies that can comfort your dog and manage his symptoms, including any pain he might be experiencing.

In my next column, I’ll be covering some of the things you can do to help your senior dog live his best and most comfortable life, as well giving you more details on the signs of potential trouble to watch for as your dog continues to age.

Finally, please consider adopting a senior dog whenever you decide to bring a new furry family member into your life. You’ll be rewarded far beyond your expectations!

Joan Merriam lives in Nevada County with her golden retriever Joey, her Maine coon cat Indy and the abiding spirit of her beloved golden retriever Casey in whose memory this column is named. You can reach Joan at joan@ joanmerriam.com. And if you’re looking for a golden, be sure to check out Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue.