Adopting a new pet is fun and exciting, and might seem like the perfect idea at the moment. However, if you’re not truly committed, the novelty can wear off and you’ll realize the level of responsibility you’re dealing with is too much to handle.
Sometimes an impulsive decision can have unpleasant repercussions for both you and the animal, so here are 4 Important Things to Consider Before Adopting a Dog!
Photo by Valeria Boltneva: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-and-white-short-coated-puppy-1805164/
4 Important Things to Consider Before Adopting a Dog
If you’ve been thinking about getting a dog (or any pet for that matter), here are a few very important things you should think about before you commit.
Your Budget
First of all, you need to make sure you can afford to own a pet, both now and in the long term. Taking care of an animal can be expensive, and there’s more to the costs than just their food and the once-off expense of a dog bed.
You’ll need to research pet insurance plans and find a good vet too since medical expenses can add up quickly. You’ll also need to factor in costs for pet sitters if you travel, dog shampoo, treats, toys, brushes, leashes and collars, and the replacement of any items they might destroy.
Photo by Laura Stanley: https://www.pexels.com/photo/chihuahua-on-pink-background-3299898/
Your Home
Consider whether or not your home is suitable for a dog, and make sure that you don’t make a selfish decision. Most dogs need exercise and prefer space to run around, which means a small apartment with no yard isn’t an option for a dog like a golden retriever.
Smaller apartments will require that you adopt a smaller breed, but even then, you’ll need to make sure they’re a breed that doesn’t need too much exercise so that their daily walk will be enough for them.
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk: https://www.pexels.com/photo/pet-dog-inside-the-nursery-room-7055927/
Your Schedule
What many people fail to realize is that a dog is a major time commitment. Feeding them, playing with them, training them, taking them for walks at least once a day, taking them to the vet, bathing them and cleaning up their messes can take up a lot of time.
If you’re a busy individual with a packed schedule who is completely committed to their daily tasks or spend a lot of time away from home because of your job, a dog might not be the best thing for you at this stage of your life.
Make sure that you have the time to dedicate to raising and caring for a puppy for years to come.
Photo by Blue Bird: https://www.pexels.com/photo/positive-woman-playing-with-dog-on-grass-in-yard-7210437/
Your Family
Pets can be a great addition to your family and a dog can become your family’s best friend. However, this doesn’t mean that a dog is the best thing for every family.
Certain breeds are better suited to living with children and other animals, but if you have family members or kids who don’t like dogs or are allergic, you might want to reconsider.
You’ll even need to consider the needs of any pets you already have – if you have a cat or dog who doesn’t play well with others or is demanding of your attention, they might be emotionally affected by a new member of the family.
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