Adopting a pet can enrich your life and bring joy to your family. However, you want to make sure that the age of the dog matches your lifestyle. Doing so will ensure that the dog has the best quality of life and you are prepared for the responsibility of animal care. Here are a few factors to consider when choosing between adopting a puppy or a senior dog. 

Veterinary Costs

Your pet will require veterinary visits throughout their life, but puppies and senior dogs require different levels of animal care. When adopting a puppy, you can expect more upfront costs. You will need to pay for spaying or neutering, vaccinations, and wellness exams.

A healthy senior dog will need to see the vet less often, but you can expect them to experience more health complications, such as arthritis, ear problems, cancer, and dental decay. Treatment costs for these conditions can add up over time.

Training

Puppies and senior dogs require different types of training. If you adopt a puppy, you should be prepared to invest more time into training and hire a professional trainer. You will need to housetrain them and instill positive behavior at this early stage.

While senior dogs are generally well-adjusted and behaved, they may have long-term habits that you would need to break. These can include issues like begging or stealing food. Keep in mind that it can take serious effort to train them out of these habits. 

Upkeep

Families who adopt a puppy should have the schedule to attend to them often. Puppies have more energy and require a lot of attention. They are more likely to cause trouble like unrolling toilet paper rolls and eating shoes. You will need to be around to address this behavior, keep them entertained, and provide basic animal care.

Senior dogs generally have a calmer disposition, but it can be tricky to predict their demeanor when adopting them from a shelter. If you are looking for a mellow dog, talk to the adoption staff and spend some time with the dog before committing to bringing them home. 

Whether you recently brought home a new puppy or adopted a senior dog, the team at TLC Pet Care Centers can provide the animal care you can trust. Located in Cincinnati, OH, this team has over 40 years of experience working with local residents. Whether you require routine checkups for your cat or dog or special care for a small reptile or bird, these veterinarians will give each pet equal care and attention. They also offer services, including vaccinations, dental care, and pet boarding. To learn more about this clinic and its offerings, visit them online. You can call the east location at (513) 683-2300 and the west location at (513) 825-4011 to schedule an appointment for your pet.