Owning a dog may seem like a fun thing to do – and it certainly can be – but you also need to understand that it’s not all fun and games. Owning a dog is a serious commitment, and you shouldn’t get a dog if you aren’t entirely ready for one.
Being a dog owner isn’t just a phase. You will be responsible for another living creature, which is why you need to be ready for this step. So, if you’re not sure whether you’re ready to own a dog or not, this post should be able to help you determine that.
Do you have the finances needed to own a dog?
Owning a dog isn’t a cheap affair. You will, of course, need to pay a lot of once-off fees when you get the dog, such as the fees associated with buying or adopting them as well as buying dog beds and paying for their sterilization.
But it doesn’t end there. You will need to ensure that you have enough money to buy food for them, and you also need to have money to take them to the vet.
They will likely need to go to the vet for planned vaccinations and checkups, but there may also be unexpected vet visits, so be sure to budget for that as well. A good way to ensure that you will be able to pay these fees is to look into low-cost insurance for puppies.
Do you have enough time?
Dogs are active and social creatures, and they will require a lot of attention, which means they will take up a lot of your time.
While you probably won’t be able to spend every waking second with your dog, it’s also not fair to leave them alone for days on end if you are very busy. You need to give your dog attention and also keep them active, so be sure that you have enough time in your day to do this before you get a dog.
Do you have enough space?
While some dogs may be able to cope in small spaces, most dogs need a yard and outdoor space where they can run around and play, especially if they are a bigger dog. So, if you plan on buying a house, it may be the perfect time to get a dog, but if you live in a tiny apartment, it might not be fair to confine your dog to that space every day.
Are you responsible?
Just because you have the time, space, and money needed to look after a dog doesn’t necessarily mean that you are ready to become a dog owner.
These are all important, of course, but what’s just as important is your lifestyle. In other words: are you responsible?
After all, it’s no use having enough money to buy dog food if you are going to forget to feed your dog or to have a lot of time on your hands and never give your dog any attention. If you have your heart set on getting a dog but you struggle with responsibility, you might want to look into ways of being more responsible.