[bokitty]

I have one dog right now but have been considering adopting another.... what are the pros and cons to having multiple dogs??

[RawFedDogs]

Two dogs are twice the food bill, twice the vet bill, twice the training and ten times the fun.

[StarfishSaving]

It's been a long time since I only had one dog so I'm just going to talk about multi dog homes. This is just a quickie list.

Pros:

• Dogs are social animals that often are happier with another of their kind to interact with.
• You get to know and love more dogs at a time As awesome as one dog is, more dogs are exponentially... awesomer.
• Your dogs may enjoy different things, making for a more well rounded doggy experience.
• If your dogs love each other, then they can share in one another's company when you're not around.
• When you only have one dog and that dog passes away, the pain (to me) is a million times worse. Every leash, dog bowl, dog on TV, etc, that you see is a reminder of what is missing from your life. This sting is lessened whenever those things are associated with more than one dog, and your house doesn't go from having the life energy of a dog to feeling TOTALLY empty. A wet kiss and a pair of ears to rub work miracles.

Cons:

• The relationship is a lot more personal sometimes when you only have one dog to spend all your doggy bonding time with. It can be stressful feeling like you have to spread yourself out (though with two, it's not bad.)
• Annual vet care doubles (or quintuples, in my case )
• More dog hair, poop to scoop, more training, more exercise, more cost overall responsibility
• Way harder to manage when you go on trips (or harder for family/friends/pet sitter to manage if you want to go away.) Boarding kennels will cost up to twice as much.

[RawFedDogs]

I just lost one of my dogs yesterday. Having one here today really helps.

[StarfishSaving]

RawFed, I am so very sorry for your loss.

[GingeryDaveysmom]

I like haveing two dogs and have had up to 3 dogs but that for me was my limit. I agree with all that Star has said I know in my case Ginger has become alot more active since we got Davey because she runs and play with him as well as with me and it has really helped her loose some extra pounds that she had put on since I got her from the shelter.

[RawFedDogs]

Originally Posted by StarfishSaving

RawFed, I am so very sorry for your loss.

Thank you, Star. She was a Great Dane and would have been 11 years old next month. She has lived with me for 10 years and I miss her terribly. Her name was Abby.

[thirdgenlxi]

I have 3....it's definitely more expense for the food, vet bills, etc, but I wouldn't change it for the world. Piggy was my only dog for quite some time, and she's an EXTREMELY social dog that hates being alone... always loves being around other people/dogs/whatever. She seemed like she was getting kinda lonely and bored during the day while I was at work, so I think having the other 2 has really helped her a lot with that... she seems much happier during the day now, which of course makes me happy too

[bokitty]

I'm prepared for the extra food bill, vet bill, exercise and poop!! Lol
I've really pondered it and I think I'm going to do it!!! I've got a medium breed dog and I think I'd like to adopt a toy breed. Any suggestions??
RawFed-- I'm so sorry about your puppy

[PapiMama]

I've thought about getting another dog and I think Mabel would enjoy the companionship... maybe. LOL I am so bonded and attached to her tho I'm not sure it would be the same with another dog and I really wouldn't want to hurt her feelings by loving on another dog. LOL

I do know one thing tho, if we ever do decide to get another dog I will take Mabel and let HER choose the dog. There's no way I'd just bring home another dog without first seeing how she would react to it.Also she's such a perfect, well behaved dog now, I'd be scared another dog would cause behavior issues.