November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month, and no other dog breed will make you a better companion — in my humble opinion. So should you adopt a senior chihuahua?
Are you thinking of adopting a Chihuahua? Whether it’s your first Chihuahua or you are adding to your pack, a senior Chihuahua will make an ideal choice. Take it from a Chihuahua mom who has had lots of senior Chihuahuas.
Here Are 10 Reasons To Adopt a Senior Chihuahua
1. Senior Chihuahuas Need Homes Too
I’ve mentioned many times here on this website a sobering fact. Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes are one of the dog breeds surrendered most often to animal shelters every single year.
Often when people go to a shelter to adopt a dog, they want a very young one or a puppy. Many senior Chihuahuas are overlooked time and time again. These poor dogs were once loved, but for one reason or another have now ended up in a shelter with no one person to love them. They are there through no fault of their own.
2. You Can’t Teach An Old Dog New Tricks is a Myth!
Dogs can be trained at any age. An older Chihuahua is just as smart as a younger Chihuahua. Many times, in fact, they are even easier to train. They are calmer and have a greater attention span. They are more likely to learn commands because they are so grateful to have a home with someone to love them and only want to please you.
3. Senior Chihuahuas Have Better Manners
A senior Chihuahua will not have to be trained to not be destructive. You won’t have to worry about your furniture, pillows and other belongings being destroyed as you would with a puppy or a very young Chihuahua.
A Senior Chihuahua is more likely to already know many commands, such as “sit” and have better house manners that a puppy or younger Chihuahua would. And are often already housetrained.
But, if some training is needed, a Senior Chihuahua can pick up skills quickly and have the physical and mental abilities to learn just as fast as a younger dog.
4. Years of Love and Cuddles Are Still Ahead
Don’t pass up a 10-year-old Chi because you are afraid your time together will be short. Chihuahuas live on average 12-18 years. My Chico that we lost recently was 17 and Chihuahuas, although rare, have been known to live as long as 22 years.
5. Laid Back Living
Do you want a couch potato? One that doesn’t require as much physical exercise as a younger dog? Then a senior Chihuahua is for you! They are content to just be on your lap while you read a book or watch television. But, if you enjoy a leisurely walk, they will be up for that too!
6. No Problem Behavior Surprises
When you adopt a senior Chihuahua you will know instantly all the important things you need to know about him. You will automatically know their full-grown size what their personality is and what their grooming requirements are. No big, perhaps unwanted surprises that you may not have been counting on. What you see is what you get.
7. Less Time and Supervision Required
If you haven’t had a puppy in a while you may have forgotten all the time and training that is required. Not to mention all that energy! A senior dog is an instant companion, no getting up in the middle of the night for bathroom breaks, no hours of training. They are ready-made companions to just love and cuddle with you.
8. Senior Chihuahuas are Appreciative
I’ve gotten comments about how they believe that their senior dogs are appreciative and seem to know just how fortunate they are to have found a loving home. They seem to know that they have gotten a second chance.
From their perspective, life is good and they are grateful for every cuddle time, that extra treat, and most of all the love and attention they had been missing.
9. Older Chihuahuas Are Still Adorable!
Come on, have you ever seen an ugly Chihuahua? No matter how old a Chihuahua becomes, they are still the sweet, cute, and loving little companion to shower all your love on. Senior Chihuahuas just seem to bond eagerly bond quickly and settle into their new home.
10. The Satisfaction of Saving a Life
You get the satisfaction of knowing that because of you a special little animal has a second chance of love and a warm and loving home. You may have literally saved a life. Because it is difficult to find a home for a senior dog, they are often needlessly euthanized to make room for the younger and more adoptable dogs.
11. Number 11 is a Bonus-Saving Money!
Many times shelters will give discounts for dogs that are more difficult to find homes for. But, not only that often if you are 60 years or older shelters often let senior citizens adopt for free.
If you are a senior yourself, there is no better companion for you than a senior Chihuahua!
Something To Consider
There is one thing I must mention here and that is that a senior Chihuahua will need more vet care. They should have their teeth professionally cleaned more often than a younger Chihuahua would.
They will need regular vet check-ups more often also to keep on top of any developing health problem. Often older Chihuahuas need medication for arthritis or other issues common to older dogs.
If you are concerned about the cost of vet care for a senior Chihuahua there are many organizations to turn to for help. Don’t miss our article; What To Do If You Can’t Afford Vet Care For Your Chihuahua as well as our section on how to care for senior Chihuahuas.
