Bringing your dog to Canada can be a huge challenge considering the vaccination routines, health certificates, and the travel your dogs have to go through to get here. And settling down after landing can seem like an ordeal too, filled with uncertainties. Here’s what we have seen so far based on our experience of raising a hyperactive 2 year-old female doberman in Toronto.
Get a pet license from City of Toronto
Although it’s called a license, I don’t think its mandatory to get one. The registration ensures that your dog’s microchip number is recorded with the city registry so that your contact info may be traced in case of an emergency or a lost dog. It may be helpful. Consider it. (Pet License)
Acclimatizing to the weather
Depending on when you land, especially from tropical countries, it can take a while for your dog to acclimatize to the weather. You could start with a little outdoors time at first, extending it to short walks in a couple of days, and longer walks within the week. Note that for your dog it’s a complete change of environment, including smells, sounds, temperature, people, etc. Be patient with them as they try to settle down.
If you landed in winter, then be prepared with the right accessories and mindset. We’ll discuss this in detail later in the post.
Pick up after your pet
If you aren’t used to picking up your dog’s poop back home, then be sure to make this a habit here. It’s a socially responsible practice to pick up after your pet. In some apartment complexes, not picking up after your pet could get you into trouble. If you are in the market for poop bags, be sure to try out Earth Rated’s poop bags. They are economical, and scented to help make the exercise less aromatic. 😀
Managing food
You can get pet food from any of the big retailers in your locality. PetSmart has the widest collection I have seen so far. But if getting to these locations is a problem, then simply buy it from Amazon. Consider buying larger packs, like Purina – Dog Chow for example, which will be very economical for you in the long run. Of course, be sure to try out with smaller packs at first to make sure your dog is fine with it, and there are no allergies.
Locating your nearest Vet
Look up Google Maps for the nearest Vet, read up the reviews and contact them to let you know that you are new in town and you’d like to introduce your dog to them. Some vets may ask you to come in for a routine check-up, others may just want you to bring your dog over whenever they are due for vaccine or down with an illness. Keep your vaccine and all other medical records handy.
Deworming your dog is not a routine practice in Canada. You may be asked to bring in stool samples every 6 months to check if your dog has any worms, and only then is any medication administered.
Insurance for your dog
Insurance is a very tricky subject. There are many companies that offer insurance to cover hospital expenses for your pet, like Trupanion or Petsecure. The costs range anywhere from $60-$90 a month. They cover all sorts of illnesses for your dog. Know that if for any reason your dog requires surgeries, then it can break your bank by a few thousand dollars. This is where the insurance comes in handy. It’s a personal decision. But you ought to know that there is such an option out there.
Pick your trail
If you love walking your dogs, then Toronto is a great place to be. Depending on where you live, there are tonnes of dog parks for you to try out. Most of the pet owners here are very responsible, and friendly. You’ll absolutely love it. You can even walk into the bank or a retail store, with your dog, take a ride on the bus/subway/Uber. There are some restrictions, of course, but largely, this is a very dog friendly place.
Service Dogs
Be sure you know how to identify service dogs. You should not be petting them or trying to interact with them. They are meant to help people with their disability, and you interacting with them gets in the way. (Note: Service Dogs are allowed almost anywhere)
Finding an accommodation
Finding an accommodation with your dog in Toronto can initially be very challenging. Many apartments have restrictions on the breed, size and weight of the dog. Also, immigrant landlords are the most unwelcoming towards tenants with pets. At least, that’s what I have noticed. Look for rentals on Padmapper. Many of the listings are pet friendly. This is going to be a struggle, so be prepared for it.
Travelling with your Dog
Canada is a super dog friendly country. Which means you can literally travel with your dog to most places like banks, shopping centers/malls, some offices, on the subway, or bus; except in places that serve food (for hygiene reasons). If your dog is well behaved, then you’ll absolutely love taking them around the city, and won’t have to leave them at home. That’s one of the biggest perks of moving here.
Your dog at home
In many cases, dog owners are away at work and their dogs have to be at home alone for about 8–10 hours. If your dog has separation anxiety, then you should slowly try to wean them out of it. There are plenty of YouTube videos that can guide you on this. Training them prior to arrival in Canada will also be a huge stress relief for you. Hopefully, your dogs are not loud, and not destructive at home. If they do have a tendency to chew down stuff at home, confine them to a room where there aren’t any things to chew.
Also, setting a toilet habit is especially important, because accidents can be very painful to clean. Most of the houses in Canada either have wooden or carpeted flooring, which can easily get damaged if your dog decides to pee or poop in the house.
ProTip: If you have a carpeted house, then be sure to invest in an odour removal spray that helps clean the pee/poop and ensures that your dog doesn’t find the scent to repeat the deed.
Preparing for Winter
Winter can be a harsh time for dogs that are not used to -12 degrees Celsius temperatures and below. Some people simply take their dog out to defecate and bring them back in without taking the trouble of walking them during winters. Not exactly the best thing for your dog, right? It doesn’t have to be this way too. If you invest in the right gear, then winter should be easy.
Winter brings in two problems for dogs, wind and salt. The temperature is still manageable, but the wind can really get your dog cold very fast. Consider picking up a jacket or a sweater that you can wrap around your dog to keep them warm.
During winters, the pavement and roads are salted to prevent ice build up. This salt can cause chemical burns for your dog’s paws. Which is why it is a good idea to buy them doggie boots or slip-ons, to prevent this from happening.
Note: Take your Vet’s advice on walking your dog in winter. Different breeds have different coat compositions. Some aren’t bred for winters like Canada at all.
Overall, it’s super fun to raise a dog in Toronto. The more well-behaved your dog is, the more fun you’ll have together.
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