Should I Get a Second Dog?

“Should I get a second dog?” is a tricky question with a simple answer – yes, of course you should! Doubling the number of dogs in your life is a no-brainer. And, honestly, if you’re reading this, it’s because you need the affirmation/support to head out to adopt another good boy or girl. OK, we’re kidding! Obviously, this is a big decision, and a little guidance can be helpful. So, let’s break down why you should get another dog and address some of the concerns you may have ruminating in your head.

You Can Afford It

The most important thing to think about is your budget, even if you are adopting just one dog. The dog with two Gs (Snoop Dogg, that is) said it best: “Keep my mind on my money and my money on my mind.” Now that you’re thinking about two dogs, that cost is likely going to double. You’ll need to make sure you’re financially ready for unforeseen emergencies between the two. Review your current pet budget, and if you find that your funds are looking good enough, you can start seriously considering the dog adoption process.

Everyone Is Cool With It (including the current dog)

Is everyone in your home OK with a new dog joining the paw-ty? That’s another question to think about. Your partner. Your kids. Your grandma. Your hamster. Ask them. It’s considerate to ask all parties involved since it is such a big decision. The current dog in the house should also be cool with the concept! Is your current dog a happy motherpupper? Does he easily get along with other dogs? You can’t ask your dog directly if she’d like a sibling, but you can get a general idea based on how she currently interacts with other dogs and her day-to-day attitude.

Your Love of Dogs Eclipses All Other Trivial Things

Even with a solid budget, know that you may have to sacrifice some to fulfil your dream of being a multi-dog home. The good news is that if you’re already thinking about adopting another dog, chances are your love for doggos already casts a shadow over your other interests. You may have to scale down a yearly vacation or cut back on videogame spending, but the love you get from two dogs running up to you the minute you come home from work will be way more meaningful.

Have You Got the Time?

Your love of dogs might be 24/7, but is your free time? We doubt it. A new dog requires training, and getting them acclimated to your home will be a major time sucker. From taking them on daily walks and following dietary guidelines to house and potty training, a new dog can really eat up the hours in your day. If you work the traditional 8-hour day, is there time before and after your job to dedicate to your new dog while still providing love and attention to your current dog? Getting a new dog could be a good opportunity for your partner and/or children to start helping out more. There’s only 24 hours in a day, but if everyone is contributing to the training and loving of a new dog, there is no reason why you can’t make it work.

Adopting a second dog is a life-changing decision, especially if it’s your first attempt at trying to be a multi-dog household. Take time to review your current lifestyle, the lives of those you live with and your current dog’s life. If you do this right, you’ll have double the pleasure and double the fun with two dogs soon.

OK, so you’re not a dog person and instead have a cat. Should you get a second cat? Here are some thoughts on if this a good move for you.