A puppy is not entertainment, a time pass, or a toy. It requires serious efforts to adopt a dog. It is like raising a baby. A dog needs our love, time, and care to survive. And it is not just about the emotional drainage a pet parent must endure. If you adopt a dog, be ready for many exercises, vet trips, daily walks, pup training, and more. In simple words, adopting a dog is far more complex than it looks. It is not just about feeding and cuddling. But more about serious commitment.
During the lockdown, many people brought a furry friend to their house. But abandoning pets has become a problem since then. Jaldee Vets came up with this blog to ensure people have a clear idea of pet parenting.
5 Things To Consider Before Adopting A Dog
Your Lifestyle
When getting a puppy, its life will revolve around its owner. One must have enough time and energy to devote to their new family member. It is essential to consider your lifestyle and how it will fit with a dog’s needs. Daily working people will find it difficult to walk with their pets. Or are you even active and willing to exercise daily? Will you have time to feed, walk, and care for your dog? Dog’s energy levels also vary from breed to breed. And one must choose wisely according to their lifestyle.
Your Budget
It may not seem like a big concern while adopting a small pup. But it indeed becomes one when the puppy grows up. Adopting a dog comes up with financial expectations. You’ll need to budget for food, collars, toys, veterinary bills, and other essentials. And yet again, it varies from breed to breed. A golden retriever is more likely to require a higher budget for grooming than an indie or a beagle. Some species may have higher vet costs due to potential health issues or specialized needs. Economic Times has written an article that mentions the approximate annual budget you might incur in India so you can check that out for some insights.
Training and Socialization
Every dog and every breed needs socialization. The training phase is one of the most challenging phases of pet parenting. It is like teaching a toddler who doesn’t want to learn. However, all dogs require training and socialization to become well-behaved and adjust to society. So one must consider the time and effort they can devote to train their new pet. If you are a first-time pet owner, you should not adopt some known aggressive breeds that are hard to train.
Commitment
If you are planning to adopt a dog, make sure you know it is not a toy. A dog has a heart, and it gets attached to its family. Leaving your pets on the streets is unacceptable simply because you are bored with them. Adopting a dog is a long-term commitment, and one must prepare to care for the dog for its entire life. Dogs can live up to a decade. Therefore, getting a furry friend and loving it wholeheartedly is not child’s play. There will be challenging and good times, but one must stay committed to their pets.
Allergies
These days, people have all sorts of allergies. It is essential to consider that all family members are not allergic to any dog. And if someone in the household has allergies, some hypoallergenic breeds or breeds shed less is a good option. However, no dog is entirely hypoallergenic; some are less dangerous in triggering allergies. It may not be a situation at every home, but what’s the harm in considering all possible concerns? And yet again, it may not sound like a big problem, but it can be life-saving.
Other things to consider before adopting a dog include family dynamics, living space, legal restrictions, etc. The dogs cannot choose their home and family, but we can make the best choice for both of us. A wise decision can benefit both the owner and the dog. It is better to be informed about every detail than ruin a pup’s life later.
One must never rush to get a dog; instead, consider everything precisely and plan it out. A dog is a man’s best friend. But only if you can provide a good life, time, love, and care. Our pets expect the bare minimum from us.