We often consider humans to get wiser as we get older. But, could the same be true for our furry friends?
Over seven in 10 (71%) of pet parents believe that their dog or cat has gotten smarter as they’ve aged, according to a survey. OnePoll conducted the poll for raw natural pet food company Stella & Chewy’s.
Becoming Better With Age
2,000 dog and cat parents took part in the survey, report StudyFinds. They reported that as they’ve gotten older, pets have become better at interacting with other pets or humans (72%) and at learning new commands or tricks (56%).
Over half (54%) of respondents said that they thought younger pets are easy to teach. However, a whopping 87% said that you can teach an old dog new tricks too. Meanwhile, more parents of senior pets (91%) felt they had a stronger emotional connection than parents of younger pets (85%).
Over half (57%) of senior pet parents think that caring for their furry friends is just as easy as caring for younger pets. Meanwhile, 61% of pet parents said that younger pets need more training. 55% said that younger pets are more likely to have accidents.
That said, there are benefits to having younger pets. 64% of pet parents said they have more energy, with 54% saying they have fewer health issues.
Adopting a Senior Dog
“We believe that all pets deserve love, no matter the age,” says Marie Moody, founder of Stella & Chewy’s, in a statement. “My dogs Stella and Chewy, who inspired me to start the company, showed me how much I can learn from senior pets. As my dogs aged, they became even smarter companions, giving me a fresh perspective that I carry with me every day.”
Over two-thirds (68%) of pet parents said that more people should consider adopting a senior pet. There are unique challenges that may come with adopting a senior dog. However, doing so could be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.
