If you’re trying to work out what to do if your dog gets lost, act quickly but methodically. Confirm the dog is actually missing, search the immediate area, alert neighbours and local animal organisations, notify the microchip registry, and start recording confirmed sightings. A frightened dog may behave differently from normal, so do not turn…
A dog emergency kit should contain more than food and a leash. If a flood, wildfire, storm, power outage, evacuation order or another emergency forces you to leave quickly, you may also need medication, veterinary records, identification, a secure restraint, cleaning supplies and a clear idea of where your dog can go. Preparation matters because…
If you’re asking how much does it cost to own a dog, the most accurate answer is that there is no single figure that works for every owner. Your actual expenses depend on where you live, your dog’s size and health, the food you choose, veterinary prices, grooming needs, insurance and whether you pay for…
Moving affects your dog’s environment almost overnight. Familiar furniture disappears, strangers may enter the house, doors stay open, daily routines shift and then your dog arrives somewhere filled with completely unfamiliar sights, sounds and smells. Planning moving house with a dog therefore needs to cover more than transportation. The safest approach is to prepare identification…
Flying with a dog requires more preparation than reserving a ticket and buying a carrier. You may need to satisfy three separate sets of rules: the airline’s pet policy, requirements at your destination, and any rules that apply when returning home. International journeys can also involve transit-country requirements, veterinary certificates, microchips, vaccinations or other documentation….
Taking your dog on a trip requires more preparation than adding food and a leash to your luggage. Traveling with a dog means checking whether the destination and journey suit your pet, confirming transport and accommodation rules, preparing health and identification records, and planning how you will manage food, exercise, medication and emergencies away from…
Leaving your dog at a boarding facility is easier when the kennel does not have to guess about food, medication, behaviour or emergency decisions. A useful dog boarding checklist therefore covers more than what goes into the overnight bag. It also includes choosing an appropriate facility, checking its health policies and giving staff clear information…
A good dog sitter checklist should make it possible for someone else to care for your dog without guessing. Write down the dog’s normal feeding amounts, medication instructions, toilet and walking routine, sleep habits, behaviour around people and animals, veterinarian details, emergency clinic, backup contacts and home-access information. AAHA recommends giving sitters both a detailed…
How long can you leave a dog alone? There is no single number that works for every dog. A puppy that needs frequent toilet breaks, a healthy adult accustomed to short absences, a newly adopted dog and a senior dog taking medication may all require very different routines. Emotional comfort matters as much as physical…
Learning how to dog proof your home means looking at ordinary rooms from a dog’s height and curiosity level. Medicines on a bedside table, chewing gum in a handbag, batteries inside a remote, accessible rubbish, electrical cables, poisonous plants and garden chemicals can all become hazards when a dog can reach them. Puppies often need…
