How to Be a Responsible Dog Owner Even With a Busy Schedule
If your life has started to get busy and you still need to care for a dog, it doesn’t necessarily mean you should give up on your pet. Owning a dog is a huge responsibility and having a canine pal at home means you’re already up for the challenge of successfully juggling responsibilities.
Despite your busy lifestyle, there are a few things you can do to ensure that your dog is well taken care of.
1. Create a routine
When you have a hectic schedule, it’s important that you have a routine. In that routine, you should make sure to include pet care. During the same timeframe every day, make plans to bond, exercise, and feed your dog.
By having a routine, your dog will feel more secure and confident even when you’re not around. It also tells your pup what to expect which, in turn, will make him less anxious and restless. Set up a routine and make sure to stick to it.
2. Remember your dog’s basic needs
Just like humans, dogs have basic needs. This includes regular vet checkups, grooming, food, and water. Make sure to include these things in your schedule.
- At least once a month, allocate a day to groom your dog.
- Every 6 to 12 months (or as many as needed), schedule vet visits.
You can set a reminder on your smartphone to ensure you don’t forget to provide your dog’s basic needs. If you can’t go to the store to personally pick up food and other essential pet care items, you can always order online through a Dubai pet food delivery service.
3. Exercise together with your dog
You and your pet need exercise, so why not combine these two activities? Instead of going to the gym, you can start small by taking walks with your dog in the park. You can also choose to go big and start a cycling, hiking, or running routine together.
The perfect time to squeeze in some workout is first thing in the morning for 15 to 30 minutes. If you happen to have time only after work, you can also have a bit of exercise with your dog in the evenings instead. Whichever time you prefer, the important thing is you allocate time for yourself and your dog to keep fit.
4. Consider multitasking
If you only have spare time during the weekends to do house chores and bond with your dog for a longer period, do multitask. For instance, you can tend to your garden while watching your dog play outside. To keep your pup safe and prevent him from digging up your grass and garden plants, put him inside a pet play pen.
Multitasking lets you provide your canine much-needed attention without sacrificing your household obligations.
5. Find a playmate for your pet
Your dog is a social being. When you’re not around, your pup needs someone to hang out with. If your canine is friendly with other dogs, he may benefit from having a playmate.
If you have any friends or family members who have dogs that are sociable, you can set up a playdate with them. If your acquaintance is not as busy as you, maybe your dog can stay for the day at their place while you go to work. Playing with another animal allows your pet to socialize and get mental and physical stimulation.
6. Bring your dog to work
This is only applicable if you’re in a dog-friendly company. Depending on where you work, bringing your dog along with you to the office can be a great option. But first, talk to your boss before bringing your canine pal to ensure that you won’t be interrupting business operations.
If you do make a decision to take your pet to work, make sure to keep things balanced. Bear in mind that you still need to maintain your productivity at work. You can do this by teaching your pet when it’s time to relax and settle down so that you can get your job done.
Being busy is never an excuse to neglect your pet. It’s quite unfair for your dog as you’re the one who took the responsibility to take care of him in the first place. Take into account the 6 tips given above so that you keep being a responsible pet owner in spite of your hectic schedule.
AUTHOR BIO
Farah Al-Khojai is the Managing Partner of Pet’s Delight. A passionate entrepreneur, Farah holds a Bsc in Government from the London School of Economics. She is always on the lookout for new opportunities to develop and grow the pet and equestrian retail and wholesale market in the UAE and beyond, and is proud to be at the helm of the first and the largest pet care provider in the market representing world-class brands including Orijen, Applaws, Hunter, Savic, Flamingo, Ruffwear and Rogz.