When Every (Dog) Year Counts: The Pros and Cons of Adopting a Puppy vs. An Older Dog

Published on: 10 December 2021 Last Updated on: 01 February 2025

If you’re looking to add a four-legged, tail-wagging friend to your family, one of the first decisions you’ll make is whether about adopting a puppy or an older dog. Either would give you an adorable, furry friend, but both choices have their unique disadvantages, too.

Whether you’re looking for a puppy or an older dog, you’ll want to check out this year’s most popular dog breeds. These showstopping canines will give you an idea of what other pet parents are looking for in their animals.

Mixed breed dogs are a perennial favorite for their unique makeups and generally stable health, but they may not be the answer if you’ve got your heart set on a specific breed. Following the mixed breed dogs are toy breeds, such as Chihuahuas and Pomeranians.

These loyal, yappy dogs are popular among older adults or couples without children, as they can be particular about their boundaries. Lastly, everyone loves the classic Retriever breeds, such as Goldens and the ever-adorable Lab puppies.

Now that you’ve got the necessary background on this year’s best in show breeds, here are the pros and cons that come with both puppies and older dogs.

Puppies pros

Adopting a pint-sized pooch can be the puzzle piece your growing family needs, but it won’t be without a lot of patience (and chewed furniture).

1. Puppies are cute and affectionate

Young dogs are precious, which is why so many people want to adopt them. Puppies are also affectionate and can become very attached to their owners.

2. Plenty of energy to play

If you want an energetic dog, puppies are the way to go. These little dogs love to run, play, and go for walks. If you’re into jogging, a younger dog’s energy will make your pet a fun partner on your daily 5K.

Puppy cons

Owning a puppy may be fun at playtime, but it can also be a lot of work. Here are the cons to adopting a puppy.

1. Training is needed

Puppies require training in every way imaginable: housebreaking, noise, nipping, jumping, and more. Just like human children, puppies aren’t always eager to do what they’re told, so you’ll need a pound of patience.

2. Puppies’ adult years are a mystery

How a puppy will grow up is a bit of a question mark. Will your dog have behavior issues or medical problems? Only time will tell, and the uncertainty might be more than you’re willing to handle.

Adult dog pros

Grown dogs can offer just as much love and companionship as a puppy, so some prefer to give an adult dog home when adopting a pet. Here are the pros of adopting a seasoned dog.

1. You know what you’re getting

When you adopt an adult dog, you already know its temperament and health needs. There are fewer questions with older dogs, as their personalities have already developed.

2. The dog may already have training

Some adult dogs who need a home have already been housebroken and may have other training, such as service dog training. Older dogs can be an excellent choice for first-time dog owners because of this experience.

Cons of adopting an older dog

Giving an older dog a home carries with it a few considerations. Among them are these possible cons.

1. Senior dogs may not be as energetic

Adopting a senior dog who needs a home is admirable, but don’t expect older dogs to have the same energy level as a puppy or younger dog. For some aspiring dog owners, this chilled-out nature may be a plus. It may mean leaving Fido at home more often than not for active families.

2. Possibility of medical costs

Aging dogs can have medical problems, so you’ll need to consider the cost of veterinary care. Though puppies can also go through their share of medical mayhem, dogs nearing the end of their lifespan will undoubtedly incur a few vet bills before they leave your life.

Giving a dog a home

Deciding to give a dog home can be one of the best choices you ever make, but you’ll need to determine whether an older dog or a puppy is best suited for your home. Whether you adopt a puppy or senior dog, you’ll find either to be loving companions for the whole family.

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Cattle Feed: Fueling The Health And Productivity Of Your Herd

Are you looking to maximize the health and productivity of your cattle herd? Look no further than the importance of proper cattle feed. Fueling your herd with the right nutrition is essential for their well-being and overall performance. Understanding the nutritional needs of your cattle is crucial to ensure they receive the proper balance of nutrients. This research-based article will guide you through the process of choosing the right feed for your herd, managing their feeding strategies, and monitoring their health and performance. By following these guidelines, you can maximize the productivity and profitability of your herd. Don't underestimate the power of proper feeding – it can make all the difference in the health and success of your cattle. Get ready to take your herd to the next level with the right cattle feed. The Importance of Nutritional Balance Feeding your cattle a well-balanced diet is like fueling their bodies with the perfect blend of nutrients to keep them healthy and thriving. Nutritional deficiencies can lead to a range of health issues and decreased productivity in your herd. By ensuring that your cattle receive the right balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals, you can optimize their feed conversion efficiency. Feed conversion efficiency refers to the ability of cattle to convert the feed they consume into body weight gain. When your cattle have a balanced diet, they can efficiently convert feed into energy, resulting in improved growth rates and overall performance. Adequate nutrition also plays a vital role in the prevention of diseases and enhances the immune system. Therefore, investing in well-designed and nutritionally balanced cattle feed is essential for the health and productivity of your herd. Understanding the Nutritional Needs of Cattle Understanding the nutritional needs of cows is crucial for ensuring their well-being and maximizing their performance. When it comes to cattle feed, protein requirements play a vital role in maintaining the health of your herd. Protein is necessary for muscle development, milk production, and overall growth. It is essential to provide a balanced diet that meets the protein needs of your cattle, especially during periods of high production, such as lactation or growing stages. Incorporating high-quality protein sources, such as soybean meal or alfalfa, into their feed can help meet these requirements. In addition to protein, mineral supplementation is also important for cattle nutrition. Minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium are essential for bone development, proper muscle function, and overall metabolic processes. Deficiencies in these minerals can lead to health issues and reduced productivity. Providing mineral supplements in the form of blocks or loose minerals can help ensure that your cattle receive the necessary minerals they need to thrive. Regular monitoring of mineral levels and adjusting supplementation accordingly is crucial for maintaining optimal health and performance in your herd. Choosing the Right Feed for Your Herd Selecting the appropriate nutrition for your herd is crucial for maximizing their performance and ensuring their well-being. When it comes to choosing the right feed for your cattle, it is important to consider the various feed options available and their suitability for meeting the dietary requirements of your herd. There are several feed options to consider, such as pasture, hay, silage, grains, and supplements. Each option has its own nutritional composition and benefits. Pasture provides a natural grazing option, while hay and silage offer preserved forage. Grains and supplements can be used to supplement the diet and provide additional nutrients. To make the right choice, it is important to understand the dietary requirements of your herd, including their energy, protein, mineral, and vitamin needs. Consulting with a nutritionist or veterinarian can help you develop a balanced and appropriate feeding program that meets these requirements. Selecting the right feed for your herd is essential for ensuring their health and productivity. By considering the various feed options and understanding their dietary requirements, you can make informed decisions that will optimize the performance of your cattle. Feed Management and Feeding Strategies To optimize the performance and well-being of your livestock, it is imperative to implement effective feed management strategies that consider the nutritional requirements and feeding patterns of your animals. One crucial aspect of feed management is proper feed storage. It is essential to store your cattle feed in a clean and dry area to prevent spoilage and contamination. This will ensure that the feed retains its nutritional value and does not lead to health issues in your herd. Additionally, incorporating feed additives into your feeding strategies can also greatly benefit your cattle. These additives can include probiotics, prebiotics, and enzymes, which help improve digestion and nutrient absorption in your animals. By implementing sound feed management practices and incorporating feed additives, you can fuel the health and productivity of your herd. Monitoring and Evaluating Cattle Health and Performance Keep a close eye on how your cows are doing and make sure they're feeling their best by regularly monitoring and evaluating their health and performance. Disease prevention is crucial in maintaining the well-being of your herd. Implementing vaccination programs and practicing good biosecurity measures can significantly reduce the risk of diseases spreading among your cattle. Additionally, performance tracking is essential for optimizing productivity. Keep records of weight gain, feed consumption, and reproductive performance to identify any issues and make informed management decisions. Regularly assess body condition score and observe for signs of lameness or respiratory distress. In case of any abnormalities, consult with a veterinarian to promptly address potential health concerns. By monitoring and evaluating the health and performance of your cattle, you can ensure a healthier and more productive herd. Maximizing Productivity and Profitability through Proper Feeding In order to maximize the productivity and profitability of your herd, it is crucial to implement proper feeding techniques and ensure high feed quality. The health and performance of cattle are directly influenced by their diet, and providing them with the right nutrition can significantly impact their overall well-being. Feeding techniques such as ration balancing, forage management, and feed additives can help optimize nutrient intake and support optimal growth and development. Additionally, monitoring and maintaining feed quality is essential to ensure that the cattle are receiving the necessary nutrients. This involves regular testing of feed ingredients, proper storage and handling techniques, and minimizing feed spoilage. By prioritizing feeding techniques and feed quality, you can fuel the health and productivity of your herd, leading to increased profitability and success in the cattle industry. Conclusion In conclusion, ensuring the health and productivity of your cattle herd relies heavily on providing them with a balanced and nutritious feed. By understanding their specific nutritional needs, selecting the right feed, and implementing effective feed management strategies, you can optimize their performance and profitability. Regular monitoring and evaluation of their health and performance will help you make necessary adjustments to their feeding regimen. Remember, proper feeding is the key to fueling the success of your herd. Read Also: How Much are Horse Riding Lessons? A Comprehensive Guide To Whitetail Deer Hunting: Tips For Beginners Conor Swail Irish Showjumper Explains Showjumping In UAE

What are the Best Hamster Toys for Your Pet?

Are you the proud owner of your own hamster? Congratulations! Despite their small stature, there can be quite the learning curve while you get to know your new furry friend. Many parents grew up with dogs and always planned on getting their kids a dog too, but what do you do when your child wants a whole different kind of pet? What should I feed them? How big should their cage be? What are the best hamster toys? These are all questions you might ask yourself as you gear up for your new life as a hamster-parent. Hamster toys are an integral part of your new pet's life. Not only will they provide entertainment, but they double as a necessary way to help with your hamster's dental care, exercise, and sleeping location. So, how do you tell which toys to get? Keep reading to uncover the 7 best hamster toys. Silent Hamster Wheel : Your new hamster will need a lot of exercises. Since hamsters are nocturnal, they feel most energetic at night, which tends to clash with most people's sleep schedule. Make sure you include a hamster exercise wheel in their cage, so they can be free to exercise whenever they want. Your average exercise wheel tends to squeak a bit. If you keep your cage in a different room from your bedroom, this might not be a problem. But, remember, hamsters are very active at night, so if the cage is in your bedroom the squeaking might keep you up at night. To avoid this, invest in a silent hamster wheel. It'll allow your pet to get the exercise they need while you get the sleep you need. Obstacle Courses and Playgrounds : Not only do hamsters like running, but they also love climbing too! There are tons of toys that will allow your hamster to climb, including bridges and ladders. Our personal favorites are hamster obstacle courses and hamster playgrounds. These are a little more expansive and will offer your pet more options for entertainment. Obstacle courses focus more on vertical ladders and rock walls so your pet can really practice their climbing skills. The playgrounds usually have a less-steep incline, but they double as a fun hideaway, allowing your pet to climb up a ramp and jump into an opaque plastic play building. Colorful Hideaway : That brings us to our next toy - the hideaway. Since hamsters are nocturnal, they need a dark, quiet place to sleep during the day. Turning the lights off when you go to work won't be enough, as your hamster will require an enclosed area to help them feel safe and secure while they sleep. The colorful hideaway is perhaps the most quintessential part of any hamster habitat. The most common are made from a colorful, opaque plastic and look a little bit like a small, round sandcastle. However, hideaways come in all different shapes and materials, including wooden houses and grass huts. Your plastic playground may also be used as a hideaway, depending on which one you choose. Exercise Ball : Your silent exercise wheel is great for allowing your pet to exercise when they want to, but exercise balls are great for adventure and playtime. Your hamster doesn't need to stay in its cage all day. Instead, many hamsters would enjoy venturing out of the habitat and exploring their surroundings from the comfort of an exercise ball. This isn't just fun for your hamster, either. You'll love watching your new pet roll around and play. Just don't let your pet wander unsupervised. You don't want to lose your hamster under furniture or behind large objects. Seesaw : One of the best childhood toys has made the transition to one of the best hamster toys too! They're a great way to challenge your pet as they tip over before your hamster can climb to the top. Wooden seesaws are also available which can double as natural chews for your pet, but we suggest a more durable seesaw, so your pet doesn't eat away their favorite toy. Fun and Natural Chews : Chews are an extremely important toy for your new pet. Hamster's teeth grow very quickly, and they need things to chew on in order to keep their teeth at a manageable length. Wooden, twig and seagrass chews are an excellent way to give your hamster a natural treat to chew on. There are even chews made with real cheese! Brightly colored loofah chews are also available to add some fun color and shapes to your pet's habitat. If you've ever had a hamster before, you'll know that a chew only usually lasts a few days to a week. Those hamsters really like the chew away! Pumice stones work as a natural teeth grinder for hamsters and are also long-lasting, so you don't have to worry about replacing them as often. Branch Ball : Balls aren't just a toy for dogs and cats! Hamsters can get hours of enjoyment out of a branch ball. The ball is made up of twisting twigs, which are another great option for a natural chew. But they're more than just a big chew. There's a jingling bell hidden in the center of the ball, which helps enlighten your furry friend's curious side. They may nudge and push the ball around their cage for enjoyment before stopping to chew it for their health. The Best Hamster Toys : Many people opt for a pet hamster as they don't produce many allergens and they are easy to care for. But, just like any pet, your hamster will need toys to entertain themselves while you're away at work. Hamster toys are arguably even more important because they double as important exercise equipment, teeth grinders, and sleeping spots. So, not only do the best hamster toys provide entertainment, but they also help maintain their health and well-being. Did you like what you read? Check our lifestyle blog for more awesome content like this. Read Also : Can Dogs Help Writers Stay Positive During Stress? Can Dogs Make The Anti-Social Kids Socialize Better?

A Quick Look At Dog Bite Statistics And Increasing Safety

Americans, as a whole, love their dogs. Many millions of American households are home to at least one pooch, and many families keep multiple dogs. Dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years. They are generally friendly, and they become productive members of households. Dog bites remain common. Many of these bites are relatively harmless, resulting in no substantial injury. However, some people do end up needing to seek medical treatment. Sadly, some people pass away from injuries sustained by dog bites, although fatalities are rare. If you or a loved one have been injured, you should speak with a lawyer. You may receive compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other things. You can search for a dog bite lawyer in the Detroit area or for a lawyer based nearest you. Curious about dog bite data and increasing safety? Read on! Looking at the Data Regarding Dog Bites Data covering dog bites can come from many different sources. Immediately, one clear challenge emerges: data collection is often sporadic, and the methods used by different organizations and by researchers at different times. As a result, they may make the data hard to compare. For example, the Centers for Disease Control has conducted various studies over the years. But they need to collect and publish standardized statistics on the issue regularly. Some of the most commonly cited statistics conclude that 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year. Roughly 800,000 require medical treatment. However, this data comes from a CDC study examining bites from 2001 to 2003. It’s hard to say if this data still accurately reflects the situation in recent years. On the one hand, dog ownership has increased, so perhaps dog bites are increasing. On the other hand, increased education and efforts to ensure healthier human-dog relationships may result in fewer bites. Dog Biting Statistics Moving further away from the dog statistics, the average cost per claim for dog attacks keeps on escalating from the year 2003 to that of 2017. They are driven by the increasing cost of medication and the higher settlements. According to a study, around 28000 dog attacks resulted in hospitalization (the figures range between the years 1993 to that of the year 2008). The statistics kept on increasing therefrom. Presently, a dog bite treatment in a hospital (hospital stay) costs around $18200. Looking at the number of dog attacks on US postal employees in 2019, one can understand cities notorious for dog bites. They include Chicago, Los Angles, Dallas, Columbus, Philadelphia, Toledo, and others. These figures point out the increasing number of dog bites and also the cost of treatments. The concerns keep mounting high with time. The Most Crucial Statistics Let us know about some of the most crucial statistics on the dog bite. According to statistical figures, almost around 4.5 million people became victims of dog bites. Nearly half of them are children. Around 70% o dog bites are untreated. Dog bite accounts for around 46 fatalities, as recorded in 2019. The Pitbull and the Rottweiler are responsible for 77% of dog bites. According to global figures, millions of dog bites occur Annually! These statistical figures call for introspection; therefore, the concerned authorities must be aware of the dog bites. It is important for the sake of awareness. Keeping Children and Safety in Mind With Canines Children rank among the most vulnerable to dog bites, and educating them to reduce the risk of bites is important. Since children are not as large or robust as the typical adult, they are more vulnerable to injury. Further, many children don’t understand how to interact with dogs properly. What may seem like innocent rough play may cause a lot of harm to canines. If a child injures a dog, it may be more likely to bite. It’s important for parents to properly educate children on dogs and how to interact with them. Supervision at home is crucial for households with both kids and dogs. It’s also wise to teach children not to approach strays or unknown dogs. While many dogs are friendly, some may be dangerous. Also, larger dogs can pose more of a threat. Even if a small dog bites a child or adult, it will likely do less damage. A larger dog, no matter the specific breed, will be able to inflict more damage if it should decide to bite someone. Remember, if you’re looking for a dog for your family. What If A Dog Bites Your Child You need to be mindful of health and safety measures when the dog bites your child (especially if it is not your own dog). At the same time, you also need to take your kids to the emergency department. Though rate, infections like rabies and others are fatal. Therefore you must not delay at all and take your child to the nearby hospital for treatment. Your doctor will let you know if the child needs stickers or if antibiotics will suffice. Moreover, you can help your doctor by providing some important tips on the risk factors associated with dog bites. You can name the location of the dog’s owners. It will enable the doctor to procure updated data on the vaccinations. It can also help you understand whether or not the dog attacked was provoked or unprovoked. If the attack was unprovoked, let the doctor know if the dog is sick. It might completely affect the treatment decision. Have You Safely HENDled Them? Take note of some of the safest ways to handle dogs so that you do not have to be in trouble. Never try to squeeze the dog too tightly as they feel uncomfortable. Also, never tease them by pulling the ears and tail tightly. It is a sensitive organ. Do not disturb the dog when they are eating. Dogs give their utmost concentration while they are eating. If you do it, be prepared to face the heat. Never put your fingers before them, especially when they are eating. These precautions can save you from dog bites. Read Also: When Every (Dog) Year Counts: The Pros and Cons of Adopting a Puppy vs. An Older Dog 4 Cool Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Service Dogs What Can You Do When Bitten By a Dog?

When Every (Dog) Year Counts: The Pros and Cons of Adopting a Puppy vs. An Older Dog