How do you take care of your dog?

afteraithe

Hey guys,

I'm getting a puppy this next week, and I'm trying to get fully prepared for her
So that's why I came here.
What do you guys do to take care of your dog(s)?
For example, what kind of food do you feed them, how often do you bathe them, etc.
Now, I'm not well of in the money section, so if you guys have any advice on how I could save money while doing it, that would be really appreciated.
The only thing I have heard to save money is using coupons. I am currently saving any coupons I find so I can be ready. I'm mainly going for Pedigree dog food coupons. I feel that it's what I want to feed my dog.
Here is what I've found to get my coupons - dogfood-coupon.com/page/pedigree.com
Check it out and if you have any better coupons, please feel free to tell me!
Also, if you guys think otherwise with the dog food, or anything else, please tell me!

Thanks in advance everyone!

foreign_correspondent

Re: food - pedigree isnt generally that highly recommended.. look into foods and see what others recommend, but generally avoid anything with colourings in (Bakers etc).

Food is an ongoing expense, but you need to consider insurance, vets bills, vaccinations, and neutering costs too.

Who will look after the dog when you go on holiday? Are you at home a lot? Pups need 24/7 attention for quite a while to get housetrained.

Where are you getting the pup from - have you researched breeds, breeders and rescues thoroughly? Do you know about what health checks should have been carried out?

Bathing/grooming needs etc depends on thedog and the sort of coat it has, but most dogs do not need to be bathed often at all! (No more than once a month unless it has rolled in something stinky, I would say!)

UKTigerlily

Hiya! Well, really it depends on the Dog sometimes, different breeds need different grooming etc. A good food will be cheaper than rubbish like Pedigree (Sorry but it's horrible food lol) as you'd feed less of it, sometimes places like Pets at Home will give free samples, as will the companies themselves. You'll probably find the breeder (If you're getting it from one & not rescue?) will already be feeding them something they will give to you, keep it on the same food for a while & until it settles in & then change gradually.
Mine is fed 2x a day on Orijen & has her bath once a month, my Uncle's has a yearly bath. Some like Springer Spaniels love mud & swimming & will maybe live in the bath!
Good foods are James Wellbeloved, Arden Grange, Orijen, Burns, Nature Diet & Natures Menu, Applaws etc, with a high meat content & without things like grains if possible
What sort've Pup will you be getting? Is it Rescue or Breeder? The place you get it (Assuming it's coming from a reputable place) will be able to advise on grooming/bathing & so on, but if you post the breed here others will have the same & will know!
Things like wormers & flea treatments are cheaper online (Don't buy supermarket ones like Bob Martin) but I don't know anything about worming/flea treating pups! If you have a Vets4Pets close by they do a vax for life scheme where you pay £70 (I think) & they then get the yearly vaccinations done every year at no extra cost, for life!

Neutering you can get vouchers for, try the RSPCA & Dogs Trust, some places microchip cheaper than Vet's too. Buy the bigger sacks of Dog food, once you know it suits the Dog, it works out cheaper!

And post lots of piccies!

slummymummyof3

We got a puppy 8 days ago - she is fed on Beta puppy food. We also invested in a cage (via ebay) for night time sleeps and when we have to nip out for short periods of time. Have just done puppy insurance via Axa. Make sure you buy lots of kitchen roll for mopping up those little accidents! Wouldn't be without mine though! She is beautiful!!!!!!!!!!

zaksmum

Unless you're on benefits (and therefore can get free vet treatment for your dog from PDSA etc.,) you MUST take out pet insurance. While the pup is young it will be quite a low premium, but will increase as he gets older. I have mine insured with Marks & Spencer, a good policy at just 11.99 a month for the 1 year old and 16.99 for the 6 year old. Absolutely essential for the peace of mind it brings.

I feed mine on Hills Science Plan which is a bit expensive but they are very glossy and healthy on it. If you buy the 15kg bags it works out at half the price per kg the of the 3 kg bag.

You puppy will need a quiet place where she can retreat if she needs to, and it might help to get a crate for ease of house training. Puppies generally don't like to soil their sleeping area and tend to "hang on" through the night sooner if crated overnight. Never put the pup in the crate when they do something wrong though, or leave them there more than an hour or so during the day.

You will need to be at home with the pup for most of her first few months. She can't be expected to be clean in the house if she can't get outside to toilet.

Give her some toys, loads of love, praise, cuddles and walks once she's had her vaccinations. Socialise her by introducing her to the outside world, meeting neighbours, kids, other dogs, and hearing traffic. Expect your house to be chewed up!

Remember she's been taken from her mum and brothers and sisters, she'll be scared at first and will need you near her, maybe even getting frightened if you go out of the room. Let her see that you will come back and she'll get to trust you. You'll soon have a well balanced and healthy little pup to be proud of.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

olias

Can you lot not recognise SPAM when you see it?:rotfl:

Olias

zaksmum

NO. Why is it spam?

foreign_correspondent

olias wrote: »

Can you lot not recognise SPAM when you see it?:rotfl:

Olias

I did wonder but was giving the benefit of the doubt!

olias

zaksmum wrote: »

NO. Why is it spam?

1st post

Mentions coupons 4 times

Mentions pedigree dog food twice

Mentions pedigree dog food coupon site and provides Web address

Could they be more obvious?

The only way they have heard of to save money with pets is coupons?

How often do you bathe a dog:rotfl:

SPAM SPAM SPAM

Olias

zaksmum

You've lost me. Can't see why it should be spam at all!

Shouldn't have had that last glass of wine....!

UKTigerlily

lol I dunno! Maybe, maybe not but it'd be just like me to not know!