Many people wish to own a pet dog and hope to get one as a birthday or Christmas gift. However, it’s not easy to groom and care for a dog as this involves plenty of effort, time, and money. In this article, we tell you about 8 things for dog lovers they need to know before owning a dog.
1. Do Research on Suitable Breeds
Start by performing thorough research on a fitting dog breed for your surroundings and lifestyle. Consider aspects like your family (single, with kids, etc.), location (countryside or city), living arrangements, and others.
2. Commit Yourself for a Long Time
A dog lives for 13 years on average so you need to make a dedicated long-term commitment for your friend. This means nurturing and caring for it through its puppy, teen, and golden years.
3. Lifetime Expenses
It is expensive to groom a dog and you need to shell out for buying expenses, daily food, collar, lead, bed, and other items to make your pet safe and happy. The total costs depend on the dog’s size, breed, and health.
4. Allot a Good Amount of Time
You need to invest a considerable amount of time to groom your pet properly. This means you cannot leave everything and go for fun weekends with your friends as you need to make plans to ensure your dog is fed, walked, and cared for while you are away.
5. Exercise Requirements
Dogs are energetic animals and require daily exercise. So be prepared to take your pet for a stroll in the park or play with it every day in your backyard. Some breeds need more exercise, therefore keep this aspect in mind while selecting your pet.
6. Healthcare Needs
Buy a health insurance policy for your pet to meet unexpected medical expenses. Store the contact details of a nearby vet to whom you can take your dog in case of a medical emergency. Vaccinate your dog to ensure its good health.
7. Pet-proof Your Residence
You need to maintain safety for your dog as well as household items like furniture, TV, etc. Ensure your dogs are not able to access toxic foods and wrap away things like vertical blinds and hanging cords to prevent accidents. Protect your expensive furniture items by covering them properly so that your pet does not inadvertently damage them.
8. Buy a Child-friendly Dog
Many dogs don’t play well with children, so make your kids interact with the pup and check the dog’s response to them before adopting the pet. This can ensure the safety of your children later on. And hence these are things you need to know for dog lovers before owning a dog.
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Anthony Garland
I love dogs. I kept two dogs as a boy. Your article brings back memories.