Five important things to remember when bringing home a new pet

By Jamie Hill - 21 September 2017

Health and Beauty

At the start, your new puppy will be doe-eyes, an irresistible ball of fluff. They seem unsure of their new surroundings and seek solace on your lap or snuggled to your chest. But as they grow, as these cute little things do, they can turn into a something of a handful.

Taking on the responsibility of a dog in your home is a big commitment and not to be underestimated. And yet every year, hundreds of people do exactly that – take on a cute ball of fluff only to struggle in the coming months as it becomes a huge dog with an insatiable appetite for food and exercise.

While we know that you love your pets more than you’d ever love yourself, here are five tips on welcoming a new puppy or dog into your home…

#1 Consider the Breed

Do your research on the breed of dog that will fit well with your circumstances. Some breeds need a lot of exercising whereas others, like greyhounds, need short bursts of exercise and don’t take as well to tramping for miles over hills and dales. You need to really consider if you have the time to provide the exercise the dog will need.

#2 Adopt not Buy

There are thousands of young and senior dogs in shelters across the country through no fault of their own. Adopting a dog is a great thing to do and is often a way of getting you over the housetraining side of things too, making it a pleasurable experience from the word go having a new, four-legged friend in your home. If you do decide to buy, make sure you are not buying from a puppy mill and make sure you see all the puppies with their mum, and dad too, if possible.

#3 Get the Right Food

Puppies, young and senior dogs have different nutritional needs, as do we grow and age. Researching the manufacturer is always worth doing. Well-known brands such as Webbox (or any others with as much history) have much more to spend on research, ensuring the food you’re feeding your canine companion is well-balanced and nutritious. Larger dogs need more intense nutrition as well as joint care supplements with smaller dogs needing less energy-intense foods.

#4 Other Pets

It is common to for households to have more than one pet, whether that is a cluster of dogs or a cat, hamster, budgie etc. Most dogs will live happily together but if you are introducing a new dog or puppy into your home, you will need to decide on the best way of doing this. Younger dogs can irritate older dogs with their boundless energy so don’t be frightened to step in and separate your canine buddies to give them a rest from each other. And make sure all pets are lavished with attention.

#5 Take a Trip to the Vet

It is important that any animal becomes familiar with the vet and this means taking Fido to your local veterinary surgery. If you have children, this vet visit is a great way for them to learn some basic information about their puppy or new dog, the best way to look after him and so on.

A home with a pet is a rich one full of unconditional love – enjoy your new puppy or dog!

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