And they called it puppy love but what is reality?
PDSA is the UK’s largest vet charity, on a mission to improve pet wellbeing through prevention, education and treatment. Support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery helps us reach even more pet owners with vital advice and information. www.pdsa.org.uk
Introducing a pup to the family can be an exciting experience but it’s important to consider whether it’s the right choice for you. PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing said, before setting your heart on bringing home a puppy, it’s important to understand that taking on any pet is a huge commitment.
She continued: “It’s easy to forget that bouncing little pups will soon grow into wonderful adult dogs who require lots of time and dedication. It’s therefore essential to ensure you can meet all of their welfare needs so they can live a happy, healthy life.”
Consider the cost: “Getting prepared for the arrival of your fourlegged friend can be an expensive process and that’s just the start. You will need to be sure that you’re able to afford their ongoing costs including good quality food, poo bags, insurance and preventive healthcare such as regular flea and worming treatments and vaccinations. Don’t forget things like leads and toys, which will need regular replacement through wear and tear. You will also need to think about the possibility of unexpected veterinary bills – even with insurance there is likely to be an excess that you will need to pay .”
“Taking all of this into account, it’s vitally important to budget from the outset for the potential lifetime cost of owning your new pet. Depending on the size of your dog, lifetime costs could be around £20,000 - £30,000 but for some may be much more. Some breeds may have additional needs, such as regular trips to the groomers, or be prone to certain health problems, which can result in further veterinary costs.”
Happy home: “Ensuring you can accommodate a puppy comfortably in your home is another crucial step. Ideally, they’ll need a secure garden or a safe outdoor space to run around in, and enough room inside to accommodate separate spaces for eating and sleeping. You will likely have to ‘puppy-proof ’ certain parts of your home too, so be mindful if you’re precious about expensive furnishings. You can use our puppy checklist as a guide to everything you might need: www.pdsa.org.uk/puppychecklist Loving lifestyle: “Pups need plenty of love, time and attention in their early years, so you’ll need to factor this into to your daily lifestyle. A dog can’t be left alone for longer than 4 hours, and puppies shouldn’t be left unsupervised for much less than this, so if your job requires you to be out of the house with no one else around, you may need to consider whether a puppy is the right choice for you at this time. Ensure everyone in your household is happy to welcome a furry famRegistering ily member.” with a vet: “Do you know of any vets nearby to register your new puppy? You can find local vets online and on the RCVS website, as well as asking any responsible dog owners you know for recommendations.” (photos:
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