5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Getting a Puppy

Puppies are some of the cutest creatures in existence. They’re adorable, small, and wag their tails when they see you. As lovely as they are, though, that doesn’t mean you should rush into bringing one home. 

You might just make the best puppy parent the world has ever seen, but there are some things you need to first consider to make sure both you and your new pet are happy. So, before browsing puppies for sale or visiting your local adoption agency, ask yourself these five questions. 

1: Can You Afford a New Pet?

First thing’s first – can you actually afford a puppy? Maybe you have enough money in the bank for the initial up-front cost of the pet, but what about ongoing costs? There’s food, vet fees, and insurance to think about, all costs that add up rather quickly, and that’s not even mentioning the cost of toys and fixing damaged furniture! Plus, when it comes to food, you can’t simply go with the cheapest tins in your local grocery store – you must give your dog the best diet possible, and that can be a significant monthly cost. To learn more about a dog’s diet, here is All you need to know about carbohydrates role in working Dogs nutrition | Diamond Pet Foods. 

2: Do You Have the Time? 

The next question to ask yourself is, do you have the time? A puppy requires a lot of your time and energy. Some people even say they’re almost as difficult as babies! 

If you work away from home, you need to consider who will look after it in the daytime, as you can’t leave a puppy alone in the house for very long. Unless you can spend nearly the entirety of your day looking after the new puppy, hold off from getting one. 

3: Is Your Home Suitable?

Dogs need space, and a lot of it. You might get away with having a small apartment or house if you have plenty of backyard space, but it’s still better to have room inside, too. If you live in a tiny city-center apartment, that might not make the best home for a puppy. If you have enough space, you still need to prep your house for the new arrival. 

4: Are All Family Members on Board?

Unless you live alone, there’s something else you must consider – whether everyone in the household is on board with living with a new puppy. It might come as a surprise to you, but not everyone loves dogs, especially dogs that poop everywhere and eat stray socks! Before getting one, be sure that everyone you live with is one hundred percent on board. It’ll be a team effort, after all. 

5: Do You Have Any Allergies?

Lastly, think about whether you or anyone you live with has allergies. A mild allergy to dogs might not stop you from getting one, but you need to think about how it will affect your quality of life and whether you want to take anti-histamine tablets every day. If you are allergic but still determined, consider getting a hypoallergenic dog like a Bichon Frise or an Afghan Hound.