9 Things To Consider Before Getting A Puppy

 9 Things To Consider Before Getting A Puppy

Getting a puppy can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life, but it's also very difficult. Your parents are probably nagging you to do some research before making this big commitment. Well, they are right! As cute as puppies are, they require a lot of attention and care.

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Getting a puppy is no joke - so if you really want one, here's what you should know first:

1) How much time will I spend with my new friend?

This question isn't just about how often you'll play with it; it's about how clean the house is going to be! Puppies need constant supervision, not only for potty training (which takes months) but also because it's normal behavior for dogs to chew on things. If you're not able to give your new furry friend the attention it deserves, you should reconsider getting a puppy so soon.

2) What is my family's lifestyle?

You've probably heard about people who love their dogs but can't even take them outside for walks because of work or other obligations. The dog ends up living in the backyard and oftentimes gets neglected. This is actually more common than you think! You need to take into account how your family's schedule will impact your pup's care before bringing him home.

3) Is my house big enough?

Not only do puppies require exercise, but they also have tiny bladders! For bigger breeds, this might mean several bathroom breaks throughout the day; for smaller breeds, it might only be a couple of times. If you live in an apartment and your yard is too small for a decent walk, getting a puppy probably isn't the best idea.

4) What kind of dog should I get?

There are so many puppies out there to choose from, but don't just pick one because he's the cutest. Do some research on different breeds and their temperaments; some dogs might not be the best fit for your family. For example, if you have kids, you'll want to get a breed that is known to be gentle and good with kids.

5) How much will this cost me?

This question isn't just about buying walmart fresh dog food and toys (although those can be expensive, too). Puppies require vaccinations, spaying/neutering, and other medical procedures. You should also factor in the cost of obedience classes - which are highly recommended, especially for puppies.

6) Am I ready to commit?

Puppies are a lot of work; they need to be fed, walked, played with, groomed, and given plenty of attention. If you're not able to make a lifelong commitment to your new furry friend, you should think twice about getting a puppy.

7) What will I do when I go on vacation?

This is definitely something you'll need to consider before getting a pup! Unless you have a friend or family member who can take care of him while you're away, you'll probably have to leave your dog at a kennel. This can be very expensive - not to mention stressful for your pup.

8) Is my lifestyle compatible with owning a dog?

Pets require a lot of work and responsibility; if you're not able to handle those things, you should reconsider getting a pet. Owning a dog is a big commitment that should not be taken lightly.

9) What if I can't keep the dog anymore?

This is something you need to think about before getting a puppy. Puppies are hard to find homes for, and most animal shelters are overflowing with dogs. If you're not able to keep your new furry friend for whatever reason, please find him a good home. It is much more difficult to find another owner than you think!

Tips that will Keep your Dog’s Teeth Healthy

When you take your dog to the vet, there is a high chance that they will stress the importance of brushing your dog’s teeth. The problem is that most dogs won’t just sit there and let you brush their teeth for them. They’ll probably squirm, wriggle away and just make it hard work in general. If this sounds like your dog, then there are a few things that you can do to try and keep your dog’s teeth healthy and clean without the drama.

Feel Good Food

Feeding your dog good food will help them in more ways than one. Quality food that includes whole ingredients will nourish their body and it will also help them to have strong and healthy teeth. If you can, you should avoid foods that are made with cereal grains, meals and even by-products. The main reason for this is because they are much more likely to stick to your dog’s teeth and they may even cause them more problems in the future.

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Vegetables and Fruit

Dogs love snacks. A lot of dog owners also love giving them as well. The problem is that a lot of snacks are awful for your dog’s teeth. This is especially the case for ones that are high in cereal grains, fat or sugar. If you want to give your dog a healthy snack that won’t harm their teeth then consider carrot slices, apple and even squash. As your dog chews these food products, the plaque will slowly be scraped off their teeth and this can work wonders for their gums. Of course, when feeding your dog treats like this, you have to make sure that you don’t feed them more than 10% of their daily allowance.

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Dried Meat Treats

There are a huge range of meat treats out there for your pet and they will give them an excellent amount of chewing action. They will help to keep their teeth clean and some of them can be really good for their immune system too. If you want to give your dog some treats then consider beef eats, dried tendons or even snouts. Sure, they might not seem the most appealing to us, but to a dog, it’s a tasty treat that will always be gratefully received.

Chew Toys

If your dog loves to chew then don’t be afraid to let them. Give them a hard rubber or even a nylon chew toy. As your dog chews away, they will be scraping their teeth, and this can help to prevent plaque build-up. If you want your dog to get the best result, then you need to give them the toy at the end of every meal. If you want to give them some great dog food, then check out these Freshpet reviews.

Raw Bones

Bones are great for keeping your dog’s teeth healthy. The best bones are ones that are uncooked and large. This can include cow bones. If you give your dog bones that are too small, then there is a high chance that they will splinter and break. They may get stuck in your dog’s mouth and this can cause you even more problems in the future.

5 Secrets to Saving Big When Ordering Pet Supplies Online

5 Secrets to Saving Big When Ordering Pet Supplies Online

Photo A. Higgins

If you are like most pet parents, you enjoy scoring a great discount every now and then. Pet expenses are always on the rise and your goal as a pet parent should be to buy quality products and supplies without paying more than you should.



While wholesale places like Costco offer great discounts on pet products, they often fail to match the prices offered online. However, finding the best prices on pet supply stores takes a bit of effort. There are a few tricks you can employ to get the best discounts consistently. Few of these tips are going to be pretty obvious, but you would be surprised how many pet parents actually forget to utilize them. Before we reveal our tips, remember our one and only rule.

#1 Rule: Never Trust a Shady Online Pet Store

Without further ado, the following are 5 secret tips to save big when ordering pet supplies online.

When Possible Buy Generic Pet Medications

Did the vet prescribe an expensive pet medication? Stop the urge to shop at the vet’s office, where you are least likely to get a proper discount. Instead, ask the vet to write down the generic name of the medication. Generic meds are usually significantly cheaper than their branded counterparts and they are identical in efficacy and quality. However, when you order pet meds online, it’s important to buy it from a reputed store (remember our #1 rule). A lot of unethical stores sell counterfeit pet medications and generic drugs are even easier to fake than branded ones.

Become a Member

If you shop at one particular store, then it makes complete sense to become a member. Online pet stores reward members by giving them assured discounts on both pet supplies and medications. The cost of the membership fee is usually recovered in the first few months if you buy all your pet products from one store.

Buy Pet Food in Bulk

Pet food is one of the few supplies you know you are going to need. As long as you have the space to store them safely, it makes sense to buy dog and cat food in bulk. Here’s an example to help you understand how much are likely to save. We compared the same pet food product of different pack sizes after all the discounts. The 15lb pack costed us $2.15 per pound. When we bought the bigger 28lb bag we paid $1.89 per pound. Simply put, you can buy the same exact pet food for a cheaper price per pound if you buy in bulk. This is barring the fact that most online pet stores give you additional discount coupons for buying more at a time.

Keep Multiple Tabs Open to Quickly Compare Prices

Okay, this one’s super obvious, but something that most shoppers simply forget to do. Before you do this, however, remember our #1 rule. Don’t trust a shady online pet store offering massive discounts. Keep multiple tabs open of sites you know and trust and compare the prices after adding items to the cart and applying coupons. This is the final price and that’s what matters at the end of the day.

Hunt For Coupons

Hunting for coupons at independent coupon sites is a great way to score additional discounts. You can even check the coupons section on the online pet store website.