Hopefully, if you’re considering getting a dog, you’re already well aware that it’s a bit more involved than picking out a new rug or choosing a new haircut—it’s truly a long-term commitment!
But if you’re a brand new dog owner, all the planning and research in the world can’t cover every single base. Here are five realities of dog ownership you may not have considered before bringing your furry friend home:
1. Dogs are Not One-Size-Fits-All
All dogs are unique, and it's important to understand how your dog’s individual needs align with your preferences, budget, and even your routine.
For instance, certain breeds are prone to genetic health conditions and thrive better on a specific diet. My dog, Roxxie, is a Rottweiler and a very large girl. Her nutritional needs are a lot different than, say, a Dachshund or a Border Collie.
That’s why I love feeding Roxxie fresh food from The Farmer’s Dog—they take her breed and ideal weight into consideration before creating her customized meal plan.
2. Your New Pup May Not Be Housebroken
Many people want to adopt puppies because they’re cute. That’s all fine and good, but the reality of actually living with a puppy can be a little…messy.
The housebreaking process is also relevant when you’re buying food. Choose foods that are fresh, nutritionally balanced and gentle on your pup’s digestive system if you don’t want to spend your days cleaning loose, smelly dog poop off your favorite rug (ask me how I know).
Pro tip: The Farmer’s Dog also takes age into consideration when creating a customized meal plan. As Roxxie grew from adolescent to a fully-fledged adult dog, her meal plan was updated to meet her changing needs.
3. Dogs Are a Huge Time Commitment
Owning a dog requires a lot of time, effort, and patience—sometimes a bit more than even I have!
On an extra busy day, adding the additional responsibility of a furry friend can be a hard pill to swallow. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to rethink plans or cancel an appointment at the last minute to work around Roxxie’s bathroom schedule!
I streamline Roxxie’s needs as much as possible, including mealtimes. By putting her on a subscription meal plan, I know her nutritional needs are met, and I never have to worry about late night trips to the pet store or running out of food.
4. Having a Dog is Expensive
Between vet fees, food, grooming, toys, and puppy training, the costs of having a dog add up super quick. Creating a budget of estimated costs is a great place to start, and the visual figures will help give you an idea of where you can skimp and where you should spend.
For Roxxie, I happily budget the $3/day that her meals from The Farmer’s Dog cost because it’s important to me that she is fed nutritious, human-grade food. I skimp on fancy dog toys because she’s truly happy with anything and isn’t very particular. 🐕
5) Dogs Can Be Pickier Than a Human Toddler
Lastly, this may come as a surprise to you: some dogs won’t, in fact, eat just about anything.
With her previous dog food, Roxxie would come running when she heard her bowl being filled, but she’d always leave half of it behind. Then she would wait until she was really hungry (read: borderline starving) to choke down the rest.
Luckily for her (and me), her meal plan from The Farmer’s Dog is not only nutritious—it’s super tasty. Roxxie finishes her food almost as soon as I put the bowl on the ground. She’s even knocked me over a few times trying to get to it. 😆
Preparation Matters
Bringing a dog into your life can be a wonderful, fulfilling experience, but it’s important to know exactly what you’re getting yourself into!
I hope this list sheds some light on a few of the day-to-day finer details of dog ownership, and you can bring your new best friend home feeling a lot more confident about some of the realities of dog life.
Just remember: don’t skimp on nutrition! 🐾
