Once you have a pet in your home, it is kind of hard to think of a time when they were not there. Each day as I pick up the house, I see signs of our cat Bella, all around the house.  I pick up play mice, milk rings, small balls and of course shred from her cardboard scratcher. 

When you introduce a pet into your home, you introduce them into your lives. You create a marriage between them and your family and they become your family.  Our cat is in our home for better or for worse, in sickness and in health and for younger or older. Together we will watch each other age, and maintain stride together.

Did you know that as cats transition from youngsters to more senior pets, their needs changes, just like aging adults?  Keep the love steady and easily address the needs of older pets with special food and love. Lavishly live pets out loud and learn 6 Reasons Busy Families Should Adopt A Senior Pet.

SENIOR PETS IN YOUR HOME & AT SHELTERS 

This post is sponsored by Hill’s® Science Diet® and the BlogPaws® Pet Influencer Network™. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about the Adopt A Senior Pet Month and
‘Mission Adoptable’ Campaign, but my site only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article. 

EMOTIONAL TIES

Bella is always fun, I talk to her way too much, and she is the center of all chaos in our home, LOL! 

As soon as I started writing this post, I got a lump in my throat. Each day we have with Bella is precious. She is part of our family and it is hard to imagine she is aging.  Writing involves me in looking at differing levels of life and it is amazing to see the difference in images of Bella from month to month and year to year.

We rescued Bella the cat from a shelter and I would do it over and over again. Today, I’d like to share with you a little bit about adopting a senior pet and things to love about senior pets. First, let’s define what a senior pet is. A senior pet is one that might already reside in your home or in a shelter and their age range is generally between 7 to 10 years of age.

Look at that little furball of life you have in your home and give him or her a hug, they are there to be loved and be part of your family no matter how young or how old. If you do not have a cat or dog, I highly suggest heading to a shelter and adopting a senior pet. Let me share 6 things to love about senior pets so you truly can understand why they make great companions.

6 Reasons Busy Families Should Adopt A Senior Pet

Senior pets are amazing, pups and kittens are not just where love and affection are found. Did you know that November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month? You can help improve the adoption rate for older pets by rescuing a senior pet from a shelter. Senior pets have benefits that their kitty counterparts do not.

1. Senior Pets (cats & dogs) that have been in a shelter don’t need constant attention. This is a point often overlooked, but pets that are older are more docile.
2. Likewise, pets that are older, bond easier, because they have already had to get along with so many other pets to survive. Call these senior pets, ‘street smart’.
3. Not to forget to mention that senior pets are already housebroken because they have been in a shelter for a while.
4. Each senior pet has a history, so ask the staff. What is the pet like? Given the fact you can learn about the pet before you choose it, you are already ahead of the game. Inside scoop is the light on the road, allowing you to make the best decision for both you and the animal.
5. Of course, from the pet side of things, the pets want a family and they will be the most loyal companion you will ever adopt.
6. Kids and pets need to mesh and senior pets tend to be less temperamental and more relaxed, which is perfect to mix up with kids.

Keep Older Pets Active, Healthy & Happy 

Now that you have made the decision to adopt a senior pet, you need to feed them and keep them healthy and happy. Not only does their new home matter to their happiness and health their nutrition will matter as well.  Older pets have different nutritional requirements than their younger counterparts. Select a specially formulated food to support their changing needs.

Hill’s® Science Diet® Youthful Vitality

Hill’s® Science Diet® Youthful Vitality helps to address the needs of senior pets and it helps them to lavishly live their life to the fullest!  In general, that’s what we want for our family members and that is what we want for our pets too, right?  Hill’s® Science Diet® Youthful Vitality was founded more than 75 years ago with an unwavering commitment to pet nutrition.  Hill’s mission is to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets. Hill’s is dedicated to pioneering research and groundbreaking nutrition for dogs and cats based on a scientific understanding of their specific needs.

Hill’s® Science Diet® Youthful Vitality offers the right nutrition. Your job is to give the pet a home, great nutrition and a loving veterinary professional.  A combination of food, love, and a great pro can transform the lives of your senior pets.  Their lives will be happier and healthier! Find out more on Facebook, and Twitter.

YOUR TURN 

Watch the ‘Mission Adoptable’ webisodes and be inspired to visit a local shelter to consider adopting a senior pet during Adopt a Senior Pet Month.

With all of this in mind, it is your turn to help older pets fight the effects of aging by trying Hill’s® Science Diet® Youthful Vitality, specially designed for pets ages 7 and above. To repeat, give them a home.  Surely, give them love and by all means, feed them Hill’s® Science Diet® Youthful Vitality. Don’t forget to tell your friends and family to adopt a senior pet to celebrate ‘Adopt a Senior Pet Month’.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Hill’s. The opinions and text are all mine.