7 things to note when raising cats and dogs | What should you prepare for?
- Nov 14, 2023
- 4 min read
Things to consider before getting a dog:
1. Influence on others: Keeping a dog may have an impact on the living environment of your relatives and friends who live with you, and you need to ensure that they can accept it. If you live in a rental, also make sure your landlord agrees to keep a dog.
2. Financial situation: Do you have enough financial ability to provide a safe and comfortable life for your dog?
3. Home environment: Is your home space and living environment suitable for raising a dog?
4. Time to accompany: Do you have enough time and are willing to spend time with your dog?
5. Dealing with problem behavior: If your dog barks or breaks up, are you willing to get to the root of the problem and teach your dog in a patient and appropriate manner?
6. Being away from home for long periods of time: If you need to be away from home for an extended period of time, do you have someone who can help take care of your dog?
7. Facing changes: When encountering major changes such as a couple breaking up, pregnancy and childbirth, moving, death of a relative, etc., can you ensure that you can take care of your dog until the end of his life?
Items you need to prepare for raising a dog:
- Food: feed, canned food, fresh food, snacks
- Food utensils: rice bowl, water bowl
- Household items: pens, cages, mattresses or nests
- Nursing products: toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, comb, nail clippers
- Outdoor supplies: leash, harness, collar, outdoor cage or stroller, toilet bag, wet wipes
- Entertainment: various toys
Things to note when raising a dog:
1. Health examination: In the early days of raising a dog, please take it for a basic health examination, including consultation, auscultation and palpation, to ensure the dog's health. For dogs over 7 years old, it is recommended to check them every six months.
2. Vaccination: If you have a puppy, you should get the first dose of vaccination when it is one month old, and then the second and third doses should be separated by one month. The third dose can be given together with the rabies vaccine to give the dog sufficient immunity.
3. Neutering: After the dog has been vaccinated, you can consider sterilizing it. Female dogs should be neutered when they are about four to six months old and before estrus to prevent breast tumors and pyometra; male dogs should be neutered before they are ten months old to reduce diseases such as prostate hypertrophy and prostate cancer.
4. Microchip: Implant a microchip into your dog, which is its ID card. If unfortunately it gets lost, having a chip can increase the chance of finding it. If you change your address or phone number, update your dog's chip information in a timely manner.
5. Anthelmintics: Use appropriate anthelmintics (such as heartworm medicine, flea medicine, etc.) to prevent parasite problems. Different brands of deworming medicines have different validity periods and effects, and the prices will also vary. Choose the product that suits your dog.
6. Pet Insurance: If your dog qualifies, consider purchasing pet insurance. This can reduce the burden of medical expenses when your dog becomes sick, hospitalized, or needs surgery.
Once you decide to get a dog, be prepared to accompany them until they grow old. In addition to taking time, energy, patience and lots of love to take care of them, you also need to have a sufficient financial foundation to provide them with a better quality of life. The expenses of raising a dog can be mainly divided into the following seven categories: one-time expenses, food, living environment equipment, outdoor equipment, physical care, medical care, education and entertainment.
One-time costs include microchip implantation, pet registration and neutering. Local governments, animal protection offices and animal epidemic prevention stations usually provide sterilization subsidies. You can check with the relevant units for details.
In terms of diet, the dog's diet mainly includes feed, canned food, meal kits, fresh food, raw food and snacks. The cost will depend on your dog's size and food intake, as well as the brand and type you choose. Taking relatively high-quality canned food combined with snacks and dry feed as an example, the annual feed cost for small dogs is about 24,000 to 25,000 yuan, for medium-sized dogs is 27,000 to 28,000 yuan, and for large dogs, it falls between 30,000 and 32,000 yuan. between yuan. If there are requirements for living standards, adding toys, etc., the cost may be higher.
Living facilities include food and water bowls or drinking fountains, as well as suitable sleeping pads or kennels. Depending on your home needs, you may also need pet fences, anti-slip mats, changing pads, etc. Fees will vary depending on the item and brand purchased.
Outdoor supplies mainly include collars, harnesses, leashes, strollers or transport cages, and litter bags.
In terms of physical care, dogs usually need daily necessities such as nail clippers, combs, shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste. If you wish to take them to a grooming salon, the cost will vary depending on the breed and size of the dog.
In terms of medical care, in addition to regular health checkups and dental cleanings, dogs may suddenly become ill or injured, especially as they age, health problems may occur. Since dogs do not have health insurance, medical expenses may be relatively high. It is recommended that owners save some medical funds.
In terms of education, if you encounter problems that are difficult to understand or solve, you can find a suitable trainer to help the dog adapt to our life. In addition, education also includes helping owners understand the various signals and body language of dogs, communicate with them in appropriate ways, and meet their needs. The cost of training a dog can vary based on individual needs and the breed, size and condition of the dog. different. These are general guidelines only and you can further evaluate and budget based on your specific situation.
Finally, in addition to financial considerations, owning a dog requires a significant investment of time and energy. Dogs need daily exercise, play, and companionship, as well as training and socialization. Make sure you have enough time and resources to meet your dog's needs and provide lifelong love and care.
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