So you’ve decided to adopt or buy a new dog, and now your wondering what to get. Well, we are here to help you start off on the right foot. It can be very confusing with all the products out there, but we have complied a list of the simple necessities to have before bringing your new furry friend home.
Food and Water Bowl
You may get lost in the sea of glass, stainless steel, plastic and ceramic as you look for the perfect bowls for your new pup. They all have their good qualities and their downfalls.
The plastic bowls are the cheapest option. Most can be cleaned and sanitized fairly easily and are dishwasher safe, but they can become scratched up very easily. Theses scratches can become breeding grounds for bacteria.
Ceramic is nice and heavy, so they wont become toys. The problem with ceramic bowls is that you have to worry about them breaking. Lead is also a big problem with ceramic bowls. If you decide you want to go with the ceramic, just make sure that they are lead free and dishwasher safe.
Stainless steel is probably the best investment to make for your pet’s food and water bowl. They are the easiest to clean and sanitize, and usually to bulky for a puppy to run away with.
Collar and Leash
These are very important to have for the day they come home. A nylon collar that is adjustable and has a buckle will work perfectly, especially for a growing puppy.
If you happen to be adopting or buying a puppy, it is important to understand that you may be going through multiple collars through out their life.
The collar should fit snugly, but you should still have enough room to fit two fingers between the collar and your dog’s neck.
Make sure you find a durable leash that has hardware to connect to the collar. You want to start off with a shorter leash (about 4 foot) when starting obedience training. You will be able to use longer leashes as you go on.
Food, Treats
If you are getting a puppy, you can start them off on a diet formulated for puppies. However, most dietary needs should be discussed with your veterinarian. Things such as how many calories, grain-free diets, and other specialty diets really depend on the overall health, breed and age of you new dog.
Crates and Containment
Creates are very useful, especially during house-training training. While baby gates and exercise pens are useful to keep them in an area
There a variety of crates out there. Stainless steel ones are good because they are light weight and last for a long time. However, plastic and fiberglass creates add extra security and comfort.
Remember to make sure that the create is big enough to move around in. Your pet should be able to move, stand, and stretch in side.
Dog bed
Dog beds a great way to provide comfort to your new furry friend.
Smaller one could provide warms and padding for a create – especially while house training.
Once house training is over, you can graduate them to a lager bed or coach. However, if your pup tends to chew the bed, the ingesting the stuffing is something to worry about. Therefor, offer them a blanket or a towel to sleep on instead.
Grooming Supplies
Grooming is very important, especially for certain breeds with skin folds or certain types of fur. Not only that, but it is very important to keep their teeth clean to avoid any oral diseases. Here is a list of things you should pick up:
- Bristle brush
- Comb
- Cotton balls
- Ear cleaning solution
- Nail clippers
- Scissors
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Slicker brush
- Toothbrush and dog toothpaste (there are even oral hygiene rinses and chews you can try)
- Towels
Toys
Toys provide enrichment and mental stimulation for your pup. There is such a variety of toys out there that there is bound to be something your dog will enjoy. There is:
- Squeaky toys
- Stuffed toys
- Fetching toys ( like balls, Frisbee, etc.)
- Rope and tug toys
- Critical thinking toys (like treat dispensing toys)
Make sure that the toys are durable and well made. Always remove tags and make sure that any damaged toy ( and we guarantee that your furry friend will destroy some) is taken away from them immediately. Damaged toys can pose choking hazard and could cause severe internal damage.
Identification
It is extremely important to make sure your dog has an ID tag and is micro-chipped. If your pup every gets out of the house or yard, making sure they have a microchip and ID tag increases their chances of returning home.
Check out one of our microchip success stories!
Veterinarian
And least (but most certainly not the least) make sure you set up an appointment with a veterinarian. A veterinarian is going to be one one of the key players (along with you!) in maintaining your pet’s health and well being.
They will help you make sure that they are eating the right food, their vaccines are up to date, help you with preventative care and so much more.
