Don't be under the misconception that your dog's fur will protect them from the winter cold. As the chilly nights draw in, you must do all you can to protect pooch from the ravages of the season, as well as yourself and your family. As with their human companions, your dog can suffer from both frostbite and hypothermia during the winter, and both conditions can become life-threatening. So, to keep your dog happy and healthy this winter-time, follow our tips below. Your dog will surely thank you for it, as like you, he/she would much rather enjoy the comfort of a warm and cozy home during the season, rather than the icy conditions that exist at this time of the year.

Thinking of taking out a loan? Borrowing money should never be an impulsive decision. Here are five questions to ask yourself before you take out a loan in order to ensure that you make the right choice.

There are countless reasons as to why you may want to take out a loan. It could be to cover an emergency cost such as car repairs. It could be for a personal luxury such as a car or a holiday. Ultimately, you should ensure that it’s for a good cause. You should avoid borrowing money to pay off other debts and you should never borrow money to gamble with. In other circumstances such as funding a night out or a holiday, you may want to carefully consider whether it’s something you’d be better of saving for rather than putting yourself in debt. Be wary that there are specialist loans for specialist causes that could offer better interest rates such as business loans, medical loans and funeral loans. For example, CareCredit offers medical loans with 0% interest.

You’ve made up your mind. You want a cute and furry companion. Maybe you’ve even decided to adopt a dog from a shelter in an effort to make the world a better place. Or perhaps, your neighbour’s dog has just given birth to 8 little puppies, and you can’t resist their gorgeous little faces. Regardless of what inspires you to adopt a dog, it’s fair to say that you need to understand what it means to look after an animal that relies entirely on you to stay healthy, happy and protected. The basics requirements are obvious and don’t deserve to be discussed. But you need to find the appropriate answer to each of the following questions:

Do you know everything you need about your beloved pooch? Don’t say yes too quickly. A DNA test, such as one from these trusted brands https://www.certapet.com/dog-dna-test-brands/, can reveal the breed(s) of a mixed breed puppy, for instance. More importantly, it can highlight genetic markers for potential health conditions, going back up to three generations. This kind of knowledge can give you the chance to be best prepared and know what to look out for. Additionally, you can take preventive measures to avoid the development of diseases, saving money and a lot of stress too!

How do you best take care of a dog? Keeping your dog healthy is your number one requirement as a dog owner, and consequently, it’s a duty you need to take seriously. Aside from the appropriate food and exercise, you should consider an insurance cover from the day you adopt your furry friend. In the long term, it will avoid expensive bills for vet services and necessary surgery. You need to understand that, contrary to the NHS, the veterinary practice doesn’t provide any health treatment for free.

A dog is not just for Christmas. You’ve probably heard the saying before, and it’s still very relevant. When you decide to adopt a dog, your entire lifestyle needs to change. Are you happy putting your dog first- this means doing things you might not necessarily want to do. It's getting up in the night to let your puppy outside while they're learning their toilet training. It's walking your dog after work when you're tired, it's cold and all you want to do is sit down. From spontaneous weekend getaways to sophisticated furniture, there are several elements of your current life that you might have to give up for your dog. Additionally, a dog isn’t like a Tamagotchi – a reminder of the 1990s – you can forget about and reset at wish.

Having a dog can set you back up to £33,000 during its lifetime. Food and day-to-day care only can cost anything from around £94 to £154 per month, depending on size and breed. But ultimately most dog owners spend a lot more, especially in urban areas where you might have to pay for doggy daycare. Additionally, you need to plan for toys and bedding; coats, collars and harnesses are essential additions too. As most owners tend to buy treats and gifts for their dogs when they go shopping, it’s best to prepare a dog only budget!

From knowing potential health risks to being able to afford to look after your dog, you need to clarify things as you embark in this new adventure. Being a dog owner is not as easy as films might make it look. It’s an emotional and financial commitment for a lifetime.

Bike riding is great fun for kids, there’s no getting away from that fact, and it’s really good for their health too, but after a while of biking here, there and everywhere, kids can begin to get bored. That’s why, if you want to encourage your children to remain active despite being slightly bored with their bikes, it’s essential that you think outside of the box and get creative. Wondering what other ways there are for your kids to get about independently and have fun while doing so? Below is a guide to some fantastic alternatives to bikes for kids that can offer many of the same health benefits and are just as fun as cycling.

Rollerblading can be an excellent mode of transport for kids to travel shorter distances, providing they know how to keep themselves safe, that is and are reasonably competent rollerbladers. Most kids have rollerskates at one point or another, and if a child can rollerskate with confidence, with a bit of practice, they can usually rollerblade too. If you’re worried about your child rollerblading, you can always get them some lessons first. These cover techniques and general safety tips, giving you and them peace of mind when they're out and about.
Skateboarding is another option that could be great for your children. It’s a fun and exciting hobby and one that can burn a lot of calories and energy. Of course, as with any sport, skateboarding can be dangerous if the proper safety precautions aren’t taken. A helmet and elbow and knee pads are a must for all new skateboards, as are a few lessons to help them find their feet. As for their skateboard, don’t buy them a children’s skateboard from a toy shop as these are not designed to work as well or as safely as adult skateboards. Instead, pick them a small-sized adult skateboard like a mini cruiser so that they can ride more safely.

Another fantastic alternative to bike travel is scootering. Scooters are easy to use meaning if they've not quite mastered biking or aren't confident with it then these are a useful alternative. They come in a wide range of different styles and there are lots of models designed for kids. There are traditional scooters and a range of more modern designs to choose from; there are even scooters with rechargeable motors built in for a different experience. However if you're wanting them to keep fit and burn energy, a regular foot powered model is the way to go.