When you are sitting at home daydreaming of the perfect canine companion, it is sometimes easy to get caught up in that fantasy and lose sight of reality. We all choose to take a dog into our lives for different reasons but sometimes it is worth taking a step back and looking at what those reasons are – and what that means for your choice. If you’re asking yourself ‘should I get a dog?’, we’ve got the perfect guide for you below. Take a look at these scenarios…

It’s the moment you've been waiting for. Your adorable puppy has now had their vaccinations, is fully protected, and is ready to venture out into the world. And of course, you are a responsible owner who knows dogs need a good walk or two every day so you can’t wait to get out there and show your puppy off to everyone you meet. But hang on a moment, there’s a few more things you need to consider here. Your puppy is very young and even though you have been carrying them around, taking them to see the world in your arms, taking them out in the car for a drive, they still haven’t seen very much and they’re still tiny babies (no matter how big a breed you have!). So, see our guide on taking a puppy for their first walk – we have all the training tips you need, along with an equipment list!

One of the reasons many dogs don’t get the exercise they need to stay happy and healthy is because owners are unable to let them off the lead. Actually, they can let them off the lead with no trouble at all, but it is when they need to catch them again that the problems start!

Every dog will change your life and will need your input – dog exercise, training your pooch,indoor games,outdoor games, grooming at home or a salon, and, of course, your company and love. Some, however, take high maintenance to a whole new level! Whether it’s due to their coat, behaviour, or both, see our list of the most high maintenance dog breeds below.

Lots of dogs will happily accompany you on outings but here are some choices you might not have thought about.

Hectic households can still love and care for a family dog! This just means that you need to find the best dog breeds for busy families and the best dog breed for your home and lifestyle. What this could be depends on your family’s activity levels, the amount of exercise you want to do, and how involved you want your dog to be with family life.

Chock-full of vitamins and a great resource of minerals, carrots are one of the super foods that all humans should incorporate in their diets. But what about out feline friends, can cats eat carrots too? And if yes, what are some of the ways in which it would be safe to feed them to your cat? If you’re considering offering your cat vegetables such as carrots, here are some of the things you should know before doing so.

Meat products, especially delicious and protein-abundant ham, are one of the most popular foods around the world, enjoyed by humans and probably coveted by most animals too. We can bet you’ve had a cat or dog stare at you, more than once, begging for a bite. If you’ve ever found yourself in the kitchen making a ham sandwich and ended up wondering “can cats eat ham?”, you might be surprised to know that yes, they can. But, before you go ahead and share your sandwich with your feline friend, there are a few things you should know.

When you get a new cat, one thing usually takes more time and thought than others, and that’s choosing a name. Whether you’re into fun cat names or want it to be a pun, a nerdy reference to pop culture, or simply something that sounds cute, it’s best to keep it short and sweet! Above all, picking a name should reflect your cat’s appearance and personality so start with that in mind. Is your feline friend a fan of napping or kicking things off the table? Go for a name that reflects this quirk. You can’t really go wrong with naming your cat something simple and appropriate but in case you’re out of ideas, we prepared a list of fun cat names you can choose from. Check it out and maybe you’ll even draw some inspiration from it.

One of the first things most people think about teaching their puppy or dog to do is to sit when they are asked. This is an easy first training exercise for owners to teach and for most dogs to learn, and it is one that has plenty of real life uses.