Adopting a senior pet – The states opening their hearts to older dogs

As we celebrate Adopt a Senior Pet Month, we’re shining a light on the areas in the US with the most love for pets in their golden years. Exploring state-by-state search interest for queries relating to terms such as “senior dog adoption,” “senior dogs for adoption,” and “senior rescue dogs”, our research puts New Hampshire, Maine and New Mexico at the top of the rankings.

Ranked by searches per 100,000 residents, the top five states include:

1. New Hampshire - 187.58 per 100,000 people (2,630 average searches per month)
2. Maine - 180.55 per 100,000 people (2,520 average searches per month)
3. New Mexico - 108.78 per 100,000 people (2,300 average searches per month)
4. Idaho - 107.9 per 100,000 people (2,120 average searches per month)
5. Oregon - 100.16 per 100,000 people (4,240 average searches per month)

Making up the rest of the top 10 are Connecticut, Tennessee, Kansas, Nevada and Iowa, while interest across the U.S. totals an average of 86,020 searches each month collectively. Popular terms include “mutt ville” (a Californian senior dog sanctuary) with 9,900 monthly searches and “old friends senior dogs sanctuary” (based in Tennessee) with 3,600 monthly searches.

Heartwarmingly, there is significant interest in senior dog adoption as a companion for older family members, with many related terms appearing on state-by-state lists and for the U.S. as a whole, such as “seniors for seniors dog adoption” with 4,400 monthly U.S. searches. Other terms being searched include “senior dogs for seniors” and “senior dogs for seniors near me”.

Adopting an older pet can be a life-saving decision as senior dogs reportedly have an adoption rate of 25%, compared to 60% for younger dogs and puppies1. Positively, Global Pet Industry data shows a long-term increase in the number of U.S. households owning senior dogs, rising by 10% between 2012 and 20222.

As for what constitutes an older pet, Dr. Ronan Fitzgerald, our veterinary technical advisor, notes that “middle age is generally regarded as being over seven years of age, however this can vary between breeds. Small dogs often live longer, and may not show signs of old age until they're around nine to ten years old; in contrast, larger breeds can start to ‘show their age’ as early as six years old. As with humans, to a certain extent, age is just a number and the health of the individual is a major consideration.”

In New Hampshire, the state with the most perceived interest in senior pet ownership, there are many organizations dedicated to supporting elderly dogs including Tilly’s Senior Dog Sanctuary, Over the Hill Senior Dog Sanctuary and Old Dogs go to Helen. The organizations either help foster, adopt out or rescue dogs in their ‘retirement years’.

“Giving a home to an older dog is a wonderful thing to do and the likelihood of a successful introduction will be increased if you have carried out your research and are prepared”, Dr. Fitzgerald says. “The first question is to find out as much as possible about this dog such as its previous homes, medical history (including any ongoing issues that need to be managed) and why it is looking for another home.”

Dr. Fitzgerald highlights several key considerations when adopting and caring for an older dog:

• Consider existing pets: Assess the impact of, and on, any cats and dogs that already live in your home and whether there could be any issues. Older dogs do need more sleep, and their bed should be positioned somewhere where they won’t be disturbed, especially if there are younger dogs around.
• Home preparation: Assess your home for potential hazards, ensuring slippery surfaces are covered with mats or rugs and food and water bowls are easily accessible, including raising them if needs be. If stairs are a challenge, then access may need to be restricted, such as with stair gates, for safety.
• Veterinary care: Schedule a vet check-up to review vaccinations and assess overall health and age-related issues as well as diet and parasite protection. Following this, continue to monitor potential health concerns like arthritis, vision loss, and heart problems, scheduling regular check-ups or attending senior dog clinics.
• Diet: Introducing a diet specifically designed for senior dogs will help meet their changing nutritional needs, manage weight and account for less activity. Where possible, it would be beneficial to find out if the dog has any specific dietary requirements and what it is currently being fed to ensure a smooth transition.
• The microbiome: Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome is essential for older dogs, as it plays a significant role in their overall health, metabolism, and immune function. A balanced microbiota supports healthy aging and helps prevent dysbiosis, which can lead to gut inflammation and may even influence various age-related diseases. Alongside a suitable diet and regular veterinary care, incorporating probiotics can help maintain and encourage beneficial microbial populations and reduce these risks.
• Exercise: Implement regular, gentle exercise to maintain health and prevent obesity, adjusting the routine based on the dog’s energy levels and joint health (consider more frequent shorter walks for dogs who may have difficulties). You should also factor in how the dog behaves with other animals and humans if known.

It’s encouraging to see the interest in golden-aged companions- while adopting an older dog may present some challenges, thoughtful preparation and research can help ease the transition, allowing you to enjoy the rewarding experience of providing a loving home to a dog eager to give and receive affection.

For those adopting a new pet, additional care advice and support is available on our blog.