Am I Ready to Adopt a Dog? Things to Know Before Adopting a Dog
Are you thinking of adopting a dog? Here are some things to consider before making that decision. Dogs require a lot of time and attention, and they can be costly to keep. 7 things to consider when asking am I ready to adopt a dog?
If you’re not sure if you’re ready for all that responsibility, here are some tips on how to figure it out.
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Although they look very adorable and are in fact, absolutely one of the most amazing and cuddly creatures on the planet, taking care of dogs is not always the easiest task to do.
If you are planning to adopt a dog, make sure that you know the obligations and responsibilities of having a dog.
It is not just about feeding and giving them water, but giving them affection and love also matters when you want to adopt a dog.
How to know if you’re ready for a dog
1. Are you financially ready?
Dogs might be cute and fun, however, one thing that you need to be prepared for is their financial needs! Your wallets must be prepared to cover their expenses.
From buying their food, treats, and toys for entertainment, even crates, cages, and beds, to clothes and grooming.
Another thing to keep in mind is you also have to pay for adoption fees, vet costs, certifications, and even spay and neuter fees.
Consider pet insurance of course for unexpected expenses.
Adopting will cost you less compared to buying from dog breeders.
But of course, adopted or not, if you want to own dogs, then you have to provide their basic needs for their health and welfare.
Another thing to check out before adopting a dog is the vet and health check-up costs.
You can also ask them regarding up-to-date vaccinations, vitamins to give, records of medical certificates, common health problems, things that you should be aware of, and potential health issues down the road.
2. Pet Adoption Websites
If you’re looking for a pet, there’s a website that will suit your needs. Whether it be cats and dogs or bunnies, these sites have everything!
3. Grooming needs
Different dogs have different grooming needs. Some dogs require monthly haircuts.
It’s important to realize grooming means brushing their fur, trimming their nails, brushing their teeth, and cutting their fur (if it’s long fur).
Make sure to check up with your local dog groomer on what is advisable for your dog.
One example is Huskies. It is advisable to not shave their coats because they naturally shed, but of course, they also need grooming.
4. Food
You have to consider what kind of food you will be feeding your dog. Quality food will help your dog avoid future health issues.
You can also consider making dog food from scratch. You can look up dog recipes online or in dog cookbooks if you want to make food for your dogs.
Be mindful of some human foods that could be poisonous to doggies such as chocolates and walnuts.
Controlling how you give treats for training or the amount of food that you give is very important to avoid overfeeding them which can result in obesity giving them a higher chance of having health diseases.
5. Training
From potty breaks to commands, dog training takes time and you should really invest in training your dog.
It can be challenging at first if you are a first-time owner however no dog is perfect. Communicating and giving them proper training contributes to positive reinforcement.
From playing with them and more, you can train them by also trying to watch videos from YouTube and reliable sources of dog behaviors that you can use for your doggy training.
An awesome tip, if you are starting to train with your dogs, is to research their breed types to know their characteristics and unique personalities.
Just like pitbulls and Dobermans, they could be more energetic and playful compared to other types of dogs.
Another breed of dog is huskies, which are also very playful and might require a lot of space for them to train and play.
Adding proper training makes it extra fun and keeps your dog disciplined and more controlled.
6. Dog tags
Another thing to remind you if you want to adopt a dog is dog tags and collars with your contact details and information.
If they get lost or run away, people will be able to identify they are lost and call you. Also, consider microchipping your dog.
They provide a form of permanent identification that requires no battery and is safe and can be easily read by a microchip scanner.
If you are interested, then contact your local vets because they usually implant microchips in dogs.
7. Playing and Toys
Just like us, dogs need entertainment. From squeaky balls to flying discs, they truly love to play and are very playful and energetic creatures.
Check out local pet stores or online shops to get toys and plushies for your dogs.
