As you will know if you read my blog on a regular basis, I am a cat person. My family only has cats and fish, no dogs. However, a friend of mine recently told me that her children had been pestering her for a dog. This got me thinking about what parents who are considering getting a dog need to consider.
If you are thinking about getting a dog, it’s important that you know what to expect. To help you ensure that getting a dog is the best thing for your family, I thought I would create this simple guide, below:
Dogs can be expensive
All pets are expensive, well fish excluded, but dogs are even more expensive to take care of. Because they are generally larger than cats, they eat more, cost more to insure and have larger vet bills.
If you are struggling to get by as it is, adding a pet to your family is a recipe for disaster. When you get a pet, it needs to be for life, not just until you can no longer afford it. If you are going to get a dog, you need to work out how much it will cost to keep, and whether you can afford it.
Dogs need equipment
As well as the cost of caring for the dog, there is also the cost of everything that they will need. Yes, this will be a one-off cost, but it’s still important to take into account. If you decide to adopt a dog, your new pet will need lots of bits and bobs.
A new dog will need food and water bowls, a collar, lead, a cage, and, of course, a dog bed. To get an idea of how much a dog bed, lead and collar will cost, visit Shinola and have a browse – this will give you an idea of what size budget you need.
As well as all these things, you new pup will also need lots of toys to keep him or her entertained – pet toys can be expensive.
Dogs are a big commitment
While taking on any pet is a big commitment, taking on a dog requires a different level of commitment. Cats pretty much look after themselves, they are happy to spend time on their own and can take themselves out each day.
Whereas dogs need to be let out to go to the toilet throughout the day and need to be taken on two long walks each day. Dogs can’t be left all day long, so unless you can pop home, you will need to hire a dog walker.
Dogs can live between 10 and 20 years, so if you are going to get a dog, you need to be sure about the decision. If you are getting the pet for your children, you need to realize that even after they have left home, you will still have to take care of the dog.
Dogs can make great companions, but they are also a big commitment and can be expensive to care for. If you are considering getting a dog it’s crucial that you take the time to think things through, before rushing into a decision that you may regret.
*this is a collaborative post*