So, you’re going to get that dog you’ve wanted for so long! You finally have space and the time, and you might already have your furry friend picked out. Before you scoop up that little guy and bring him home, be sure to consider a few things before you become a new dog owner.
Supplies and Hygiene
When embarking on the journey of dog ownership, you’ll need a few essential items to get started. Be sure to have an appropriately sized collar for your dog. You will also want to purchase a leash and perhaps gates to block off certain areas of your home until you establish boundaries.
Understanding the ways of keeping your dog hygienic is essential. Learn more about the best ways to keep your canine clean by clicking here. Regular bathing and brushing will help keep their fur clean. You also need to trim their nails regularly, or they can grow out of control and become painful. You need to maintain their dental hygiene as well, and there are several products that can help with that.
Dog Food and Toxic Human Foods
Depending on the age of the dog you are adopting, you will need to find age and weight appropriate food. You may want to consult a veterinarian for advice. You may also be able to find out what kind of food the dog has currently been eating to better understand what to put on their menu.
You will need to buy food and water dishes and treats as well. Additionally, you will want to pay attention to foods that are toxic for your pup. When food falls on the floor, your dog may grab it quickly. Keep in mind that grapes, raisins, avocados, chocolate, nuts, onions, xylitol, excessive caffeine, and salt are all toxic for dogs. Feeding them food that’s specially made for dogs is ideal.
Vaccinations & Tags
Several vaccinations help keep your dog safe and healthy. This is one of many things to know before becoming a dog owner. The rabies vaccination is required by law. Rabies can spread to humans if they are bitten, and it can be very serious. Updated tags will keep you and your pup safe not only physically but with law enforcement as well.
It is unlawful to keep a canine without tags and vaccinations. If an animal that is infected with rabies gets into your house, you want your pup to be protected. Similarly, if your dog, for any reason, escapes from your care and your home, there could be severe consequences.
Microchipping your dog is also a handy tool that allows you to keep track of them, no matter what. Typically, dogs coming from pet stores and adoption agencies are already chipped. It is your responsibility to ensure the address that corresponds with your dog’s chip is up to date. This way, if your dog ever ends up lost and is found by someone else, they will be able to locate your furry friend’s home address and access their vaccination records. The more preventative measures you can take, the safer and happier you and your new four-legged friend will be.
Embarking on the journey to dog ownership is going to be loads of fun. As with anything worth having, a pet comes with great responsibility. Keeping proper dog hygiene and safety practices in mind while abiding by pet laws will surely help you enjoy each other’s company without any added concerns. Setting yourself up for success while being mindful of best practices for keeping your pup safe and healthy will benefit you both in more ways than you can count!
