Guest post by Rob Evans

There is nothing more exciting than adopting your first dog! However, even if you think you know everything you need to know about dogs, dog ownership will quickly teach you otherwise. 

There are many things you need to consider when adopting your first dog. Many of these are easy to overlook at first – until you’re standing in an aisle and suddenly realize you have no idea what you’re supposed to be doing. In this article, we’ll help you get off on the right food by clearing up some of these common considerations. 

Choosing Dog Food

At first, choosing dog food can seem pretty easy. However, there is actually a lot that goes into it. We highly recommend not falling victim to any of the marketing ploys commonly used by dog food companies. Just because a dog food says it resembles the diet of wolves doesn’t mean it actually does. 

Instead, you should look at the ingredient list and macronutrient content, which can be found on the back of each dog food container. Preferably, the ingredients should include as much meat as possible. Ingredients are listed by weight, so check for plenty of animal products high on the ingredient list. 

Dogs need mostly protein and fat to thrive. We recommend choosing a dog food that is high in both of these macronutrients. There are many fresh dog food brands that are super healthy for dogs, and comparing dog foods side-by-side is an easy way to see which one contains more protein. 

Grain-free dog foods are not necessarily better. Our dogs can eat grain just fine, but they don’t thrive on it. Whole grains are better than refined grains, which are really no better than sugar. 

Microchipping

Microchipping your pooch is vital to ensuring they find their way back home should they get lost. While microchipping may seem like it is expensive, it is actually very affordable. Many veterinary offices and pet stores offer microchipping days, where they offer microchipping services for very cheap. In many cases, you can microchip your dog for around $5. 

Unlike some common misconceptions, microchips do not hurt excessively when put in and do not pose any health risk for your canine. Occasionally, benign fat deposits can form around the microchip, but these are not dangerous for your pet’s health. The vet can remove them, but this is often not necessary. 

Grooming

Even if you adopt the lowest maintenance dog out there, they will still need to be groomed regularly. Their fur may not need to be clipped. However, they will need their teeth brushed a few times a week at least, and their nails should be clipped whenever they get too long. 

Dogs do get dirty as well. While many dogs do not need regular baths, they may get muddy or dusty. At some point in their life, your dog will need a bath. 

You can do this by yourself at home or enlist the help of a groomer. Either way, it will take more time and resources on your part. Consider when you’ll set aside the time and money to take care of your dog’s grooming needs before adopting. 

Take Your Time When Adopting

Whenever you’re adopting a new canine, you should take your time. Dogs can be a lot of work and take up a lot of time. You need to consider a number of factors before adopting, like what you’re going to feed your pooch and when you will groom them. Many dogs also require regular exercise and some may even need daily brushing. 

Consider all of these things before adopting your pooch. This is a decision that requires quite a bit of thought!