▲

First things first: are you ready to adopt? When adopting, you are making a commitment to care for an animal for the rest of their life. Be sure you're aware of the responsibilities of bringing home a new companion.

▲

If you have other pets, they can become territorial when you introduce your new furry friend. To avoid any unwanted tension and aggression, take some steps to ease your new senior pet into the household.

▲

Senior pets are wonderful companions for everyone, from retired seniors to busy professionals.

▲

Since they're older, our furry friends have special nutritional needs. For example, senior dog food should have enough high-quality protein to help them maintain healthy muscles.

▲

Whenever you adopt a new pet, make sure to put a collar and tag on the animal before stepping outside the building. Remember: dogs and cats can be microchipped at any age after eight weeks.

▲

Older pets need routine medical care just like young pets do. However, senior pets have an increased risk of some diseases like cancer and arthritis, so you should take into account the costs of any treatment they may need.

▲

While some senior pets might live for five or more years after they come home with you, others will have even shorter lifespans. You need to understand that losing a pet takes an emotional toll.

▲

Depending on their age and physical condition, some seniors may still be pretty spry. But most of them will be pretty mature and easygoing companions.

▲

Chances are that by adopting a senior dog or cat, you have rescued a loving animal from an unfortunate death. They can sense that they're being saved and will forever be loyal to you.

▲

There's nothing like watching adopted senior pets live happily into their golden years. Knowing that you helped them will instantly make you feel good.

▲

Many senior pets have had a traumatic past, such as losing their home or suffering abuse. Often, all senior pets need is to know that they’re safe and cared for. This will make them love you forever.

▲

Even if your pet isn't as spry as they once were, they still need physical activity. Exercise can help slow degenerative joint disease and keep your pet at a healthy weight.

▲

Anyone who has ever potty trained a young pet knows it’s quite a process. But for the most part, when you adopt a senior pet, they'll already be potty trained.

▲

Even older dogs are social animals who want to be with you. Make sure you plan when to walk them, and always keep their other needs in mind as well.

▲

Contrary to popular belief, senior dogs can still learn new tricks. They also make excellent therapy dogs.

▲

You don’t need to worry about puppy and kitten proofing your house and constant training. You'll be able to sleep soundly at night with a senior pet around.

▲

However, if you've never had a pet before, then there are some things you need to take into consideration. That includes keeping toxic foods, pet-unfriendly plants, and dangerous household items out of paw's reach.

▲

Pets come with a lifetime supply of unconditional love. So even if they're older, they'll still want to cuddle and play.

▲

No matter the age, a new home is a huge transition for a pet. But it’s common that senior pets have spent time in another home before ending up at a shelter, so they may need more time to get used to a new home and family than a puppy or kitten.

▲

Senior dogs and cats are often the first to be euthanized in shelters, as people prefer to adopt puppies and kittens. By adopting a senior pet, you're actually saving a life.

Sources: (The Farmer's Dog) (ASPCA) (Young at Heart)

▲

With age comes experience, and that's also applicable to pets. Older dogs are most likely already familiar with how to walk on a leash, so you probably don't have to worry about training them in this regard.

▲

It's hard to resist puppies and kittens. They're incredibly cute, and raising them is both a fun and fascinating journey. But it also takes an especially large amount of time, energy, and patience. So for many potential pet parents, older pets may actually be a better fit. Often overlooked because of the desire to adopt young ones, many people never consider the benefits of adopting a senior pet. But these furry companions will provide all the love with fewer growing pains. Of course, they come with some challenges as well.

Want to know more about adopting a senior pet? Then check out the following gallery.

▲

Take your eyes off your newly adopted kitten or puppy, and they'll create havoc. In contrast, a senior pet can remain perfectly fine while you work in another room or run out for some errands.

▲

Living in a busy world as we do, it can be hard to find time to relax and recharge. Senior pets, on the other hand, know how to take it easy, and will help you with that.

▲

From books to clothes and furniture, we all know how young pets love to chew and scratch on things. Fortunately, by the time they're older and wiser, they’re well past the destructive phase.

▲

Senior pets have had plenty of time to decide what they like and don't like. So when you adopt pets of a certain age, there are fewer big surprises once you bring them home. For example, a low-key dog at the shelter will likely be just as low-key after adjusting to their new home.

▲

Compared to their younger counterparts, older pets bond with people more quickly. This is because they already know how to get along with other pets and different people.

▲

If your senior pet has been in a shelter, it’s certain that they’ve known hardship. Whatever the reason for them to have ended up there, adopting them means they get the love and comfort they deserve.