Above: Our adorable and sassy long-haired dachshund Django (more pics of him here)
If you’re a new dog owner, you are probably feeling equal parts excited and overwhelmed. After all, the joy of being a dog owner is unparalleled. But it is difficult to get on top of everything that is involved with dog ownership, especially if owning a dog is uncharted territory for you.
To ensure you’re as prepared as possible for this new and exciting responsibility, we’ve highlighted three vital things to keep in mind below. Following them will help ensure you get off to the right start from the get-go.
Buy High-Quality Dog Items from the Get-Go
There are no two ways about it: being a pet parent can be expensive. First of all, there are all of the necessities you need to buy. And then there are all of the extra things you want to treat them to. It can easily add up, particularly in the early days. So we can understand the temptation to try to cut costs by buying the cheapest items possible.
The thing is, while there are indeed some high-quality bargains out there, they’re an exception to the rule. Take leashes and harnesses, for example. Cheaply-made leashes and harnesses won’t usually be made with durability in mind, so they may only last you for a few months before they start falling apart. This means you’ll have to replace them again and again, ultimately spending more in the long run.
The materials used for cheaply-made pet products are also not likely to be very high-quality; they may not even be pet-safe. And let’s not forget about comfort—'fast fashion' dog leashes and harnesses won’t usually be comfortable for your dog to wear or you to use.
Compare this to high-quality, durable, and comfortable dog leashes and harnesses, like the ones we have at DJANGO. Our dog leashes not only look stylish, but they are also designed to last for years to come. They’re lightweight, ergonomic, and are made with only the highest-quality materials including heavy-duty webbing and beautiful solid cast brass hardware.
Our padded and lightweight dog harnesses are likewise made with world-class craftsmanship. They are incredibly comfortable for your dog to wear and are easy for you to put on and take off your pooch.
In short, it pays to buy high quality pet items, especially those you’ll be using on the regular.
Monitor Your Dog’s Health
If you want to ensure your dog stays in tip-top health, you need to make sure you keep an eye out for anything amiss. The only way to do so is to regularly monitor your dog’s health and keep up with routine vet visits.
While some canine health problems are obvious to identify, others can be more difficult to spot. Early detection and treatment of problems gives your dog the best chance of having a speedy recovery, so vigilance is vital.
Once you learn what to look out for and some quick checks you can perform, you’ll see that monitoring your dog’s health is not difficult at all. And it is well worth making the effort, considering that doing so could save their life!
If you notice anything unusual, it is always a good idea to take your dog to the vet. They’ll be able to examine your dog more carefully and offer their expert opinion about the next steps to take (if any).
You can also submit a question about your dog’s health to the free Ask The Vet online veterinary advice service. Each month, vets will select a handful of questions to answer. If yours is selected, the vet will spell out what the possible problem and solution is, so you can address your dog’s health problem.
Consider Pet Insurance from the Start
Insurance for your dog isn’t exactly the first thing you think of as a new dog owner. However, pet insurance is worthwhile to give proper consideration to given how beneficial it can be for your dog’s health as well as your finances.
Pet insurance is a type of insurance that supports you to address your dog’s health needs. Whether these needs include regular visits to the vet, surgery, or ‘extras’ such as grooming, training, and alternative therapies, the right pet insurance can help ensure your dog is covered for everything they need health-wise.
To better understand why most pet experts recommend dog owners to take out a pet insurance policy, consider the following scenario. Imagine if one day your dog becomes sick or injured. You take them to the vet, who says that they require surgery that will cost thousands of dollars.
If you do not have pet insurance, you will need to pay for the entire cost of their veterinary care, including both the vet visit and the surgery. In contrast, if you have pet insurance, you may be partially or wholly covered for the total bill.
While pet insurance can seem like an unnecessary expense, getting it will mean that you will be able to better manage the financial burden if your dog becomes sick or injured. As they say, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
