Are you thinking about getting a furry friend? Dog ownership is a big commitment, before you bring home your new pet you’ll need to make these five key considerations.
1 . Which Type of Dog
Before you get a dog you need to decide which dog breed is right for you. The best thing to do is to do a bit of research, learn about different dog breeds and their characteristics. You can also ask your dog breeder or local dog shelter.
Different dog breeds have different personalities and requirements. For example, Alaskan Malamutes need lots of exercise, they are friendly and intelligent but incredibly powerful. If you have a very busy schedule or have young children, this may not be the right dog for you.
The Cost of a Dog
Before you get a dog you’ll need to take into consideration the costs and ensure that you can afford it. Owning a dog can be expensive, you’ll need to pay for dog food, a dog bed leads and collars, worming treatments, vet trips, pet insurance, and more.
It’s important to consider all these costs before you get yourself a dog. According to The Spruce Pets, the average cost of owning a dog is anywhere between $125 and $824 per month.
Keeping Your Dog Healthy
Keeping your dog healthy is a big responsibility you’ll need to ensure that your dog gets a nutritious diet and plenty of exercise.
You’ll want to find out which dog food is the best, and how much raw meat to feed a dog. It’s also important to consider your dog’s mental health. Dog’s need plenty of mental stimulation, including dog toys, games and physical exercise.
Before you get a dog, learn everything you can about dog health. The more you learn the easier it will be to take care of your new pet. If you have children make sure that you talk to them about the responsibility of owning a dog. They should understand how to treat the dog and the dos and don’ts of playing with a new pet.
Dog-proofing Your Home
You’ll also need to think about dog-proofing your home. The home can be a dangerous place for dogs. Here are a few general tips:
- Puppies will chew everything, whether it’s shoes, wiring, DVDs, or remote controls. Ensure that you keep common household objects out of your dog’s reach (as much as possible). You should also provide them with lots of chew toys.
- Keep household cleaning products in a locked cupboard, you won’t want your dog to get hold of these. It’s also a good idea to keep sharp objects like knives well out of the way.
- Some plants can be toxic to dogs, before you purchase any house plants you’ll need to make sure that you do your research.
Useful Resources
There are plenty of useful resources that can help you prepare for the arrival of a new dog. To make a start, check out these apps:
This app has plenty of advice to keep your dog healthy. Here you’ll find many useful guides, videos, and quizzes.
Using this application you can monitor your dog’s health, you can log your dog’s weight, vet trips, medications, vaccinations, and more.
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Getting a dog is a big commitment, these considerations will help you to get nice and organised.
What do you think?