If you’re considering adding a new furry friend to your family, a puppy may be the way to go! Puppies are adorable, loving and full of energy, but there are some things you should consider before bringing one home.
Is it realistic?
Getting a dog is an eight to fifteen-year commitment to take care of another life, and it demands time and responsible family members to look after the pet.
Consider how much time you have and whether or not a pup is a good fit for you. You may have time now, but will this be consistent in the future?
What would you want your puppy to look like as an adult dog? What size do you want them to be? Is your house and outside space big enough to accommodate a dog?
What do you want them to be able to accomplish? Will you have the time and dedication to teach them how to achieve it?
Make an appointment with a veterinarian to discuss your future dog’s needs. Even before you acquire the dog. When people see that you’ve planned ahead of time rather than making spur-of-the-moment judgments, veterinarians appreciate it.
Is your lifestyle suitable for a pet?
One of the biggest errors people make is choosing a pet based on how fashionable or cute it is. These animals are too frequently abandoned at an animal shelter when they become overly energetic, demanding, or intolerant… the list goes on and on.
Become familiar with the breed you’re interested in and be ready to reconsider your decision if it doesn’t suit your needs. Do your research into the breed. Inquire about the animal’s background from its adopters, or perhaps join a breed-specific group and ask questions of some of the members.
The Chihuahua craze is a wonderful example. Yes, they’re adorable and can live in any size of home, and they’re quite easy to maintain. The difficulty is that they aren’t overly patient with children and are not generally suitable for young families.
Can you afford a pet?
A truly free dog is impossible to find. There are continual expenses for each dog, as well as the potential for emergency medical procedures. The cost of the dog might vary greatly, depending on your lifestyle and financial situation.
Expect to spend around £1,000 for adoption fees, equipment (leash, collar, kennel, food bowl, toys), puppy vaccinations, and spay or neuter surgery. Adoption costs vary widely.
Preventive medicines, food, and toys may cost around £70 -£100 per month.
You should have your dog’s veterinarian check him out and get their yearly injections. This could cost between £175 and £450 per year.
Most pet owners will have at least one emergency visit. A surgical procedure to remove an object that should not have been eaten might cost £1750-£4,500. Consider saving for this or getting pet insurance.
Pet insurance can be paid monthly or yearly and can vary widely in cost and what services it covers. Be sure to check the small print before you sign up.
Is your house pet friendly?
Did you know that chewing gum is poisonous to dogs or that ibuprofen is harmful to cats? It’s critical to go through your house now, before you bring a new pet home, in order to find hazards and remove them. Countertops, cabinets at pet level, chemical bottles on the floor, little toys, electrical cables, and curtain cords are all examples of dangerous items that should be removed from your home.
You’ll also need to search for any toxic plants for dogs or cats in your home and garden, as well as look for any potential dangers – such as sugar-free gum, which frequently includes xylitol – if you carry a bag.
Choose an appropriate breed for your lifestyle
Begin by choosing the appropriate breed for your lifestyle. Some breeds require a lot of exercise, while others are satisfied to relax most of the day. Research, research, research, read as much as you can, speak with the breeder, request to meet adult dogs from the breeder, and see your veterinarian.
Look for a reputable breeder who can produce healthy litters with consistent, reproducible results. Concentrate on finding the perfect breeder, someone you feel comfortable with and trust. Look for a responsible breeder that can generate healthy litters consistently and predictably.
You may select from the litter depending on sex, colour, and cuteness once you’ve identified the proper breeder.
If the breeder demands a contract, see whether your veterinarian agrees with the standards of care before signing one.
Remember there will be a settling-in period
If you’re adopting a puppy, expect to hear some howling. Yes, just as with human newborns, baby dogs wail at night in their first days in their new homes. However, it is not a good idea to bring your puppy to your bed to calm him as you may do with a human infant.
The greatest thing you can do before bringing the puppy home is set up a quiet, enclosed area with a comfy bed, keeping your puppy safe from wandering. Choose the location where you’ll keep your dog permanently.
Let your puppy have free, authorised romping about the house during the day so that he or she may smell everything. This will also allow you to discover any dangers you might have missed on the first pass.
Things get a little bit trickier when you are bringing a new pet into a home with pets. You will need to make sure that your resident pet does not feel threatened enough to strike out at the newcomer. A slow and supervised introduction and separate safe areas for both pets can be useful at first.