If you're looking to get a new dog or cat, consider adopting an older pet. While kittens and puppies are incredibly adorable, they are a lot more work. Getting a mature pet has a tremendous upside. Here are just a few of the reasons to adopt an older pet.

Puppies and kittens need to be taught everything from where not to go to the bathroom to what not to chew on. You can spend endless hours trying to train them. If they're slow to learn, your patience can wear thin. Little to no training is required for older pets.

No potty training

Puppies are pee machines. They'll squat and pee right where they are until you train them not to. This can take weeks, or even months, to get past. Cleaning up mess after mess, throwing away ruined carpets and spending a fortune on wee pads isn't an issue with an older pet. Avoiding the headaches of housebreaking is among the top reasons to adopt an older pet.

Sleeping through the night

Puppies, and in some cases kittens, will cry through the night just like human babies. Whimpering and yipping can keep you up all night. If you value a good night's sleep, your usual eight hours might each count as reasons to adopt an older pet.

No chewing

Puppies love to chew. New shoes and rug corners are quickly destroyed by the endless gnawing of new puppies. Even kitten's teeth and can chew shoes and socks. Older dogs and cats have already been through the teething phase and aren't as likely to destroy things.

If your schedule is busy -- and whose isn't these days? -- it's hard to carve out the time required to properly care for and train a young pet. Older dogs and cats don't need as much supervision.

Less energy is required

Both kittens and puppies have a seemingly limitless supply of energy, and they expect their owners to have the same. They need constant stimulation and attention. Older pets aren't as demanding. They don't require as much exercise and will be glad to just sit and spend time with you.

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Disposition

You never really know how a puppy or kitten will turn out, but with an older pet, what you see is what you get. Especially if you have children or other pets, it's important to consider disposition when weighing reasons to adopt an older pet.

Health

When you adopt an older pet, you know their health history. You can better decide what you can or can't deal with when considering adopting an older pet.

And, finally, perhaps the most important of all the reasons to adopt an older pet: you’re saving a life.

Pet over-population has reached critical mass in the United States. According to the Humane Society, four million cats and dogs are put down each year. That’s about one every 8 seconds. Adopting an older pet gives them a new lease on life. There’s nothing quite like the love and companionship of a rescued animal.