14/09/2021
Things to consider before bringing in a pet...
Questions you MUST ask yourself before you bring home a dog...
• Is there someone at home to look after the dog? Dogs are social animals and need lots of love and attention.
• Have you sufficient space to keep a dog? Remember, a big dog needs adequate space to live and exercise.
• Does your landlord / housing society allow you to keep pets?
• Do you have other pets that will not get along with the new dog?
• Does everyone in your family want a dog? Children often want a dog on a whim, but soon lose interest after awhile. Is anyone allergic to the animal? Or even scared?
• Are you prepared to exercise your dog at least three times a day? All dogs need to be taken out for a walk. This not only gives the opportunity for exercise but also provides mental stimulation and a chance to socialise.
• Will you be able to feed your dog a nutritious diet? Your dog needs a balanced diet to have a healthy shiny coat and to be free of digestive disorders.
• If you take on a puppy, are you prepared for some damage in the house until it has learnt to be clean and behave? Dogs have to be housetrained with a lot of love and patience. Dogs can get easily bored if left alone through the day. Any dog that is bored will be destructive around the house.
• Have you time to groom your pet regularly? Grooming a dog is important because it gives you a chance to give your dog a quick health check.
• Do you realise that dogs like people grow old and may need special care and medication?
• Are you prepared to spend time and effort to train your dog yourself? A well-trained dog is a pleasure to live with.
• Are you prepared to love and care for a dog all of its life, not just when it is a cuddly puppy? The cutest of pups will grow up to be adult dogs with different needs and demands.
Many dogs get abandoned because their humans failed to realise that the little fur ball would one day grow up and have demands of its own.