Welcoming a new puppy into your life is an exciting adventure. There will never be a dull moment in your life from this point on. However, you should make certain preparations beforehand. Getting the essentials is one of them. Things like a new bed, a crate, some toys, grooming supplies and a collar are just the basics to start your life as a dog parent.
A Comfortable Dog Bed
When welcoming a new pup into the family, it’s important that you have the essential pet supplies for dogs. The bed is not an exception. Just like humans, dogs need a good night’s sleep to function properly, stay healthy and feel energised. The bed they lay on will affect their growth, bone and muscle development and spine.
There’s a wide variety of dog beds to choose from. They all come with different features and properties. Base your choice on the size of the dog and its health needs. If you’re adopting a young pup, a cave bed will be a great option. The design makes it suitable because it will provide the perfect snuggling place. The pup will be reminded of the comfort of its mother and will feel safe.
These beds can look fluffy, luxurious, elegant and cute. The velvety texture on the inside will make the dog cosy and give it plenty of hours of good sleep. You can also get a memory foam bed. They're suitable for both young pups and older dogs. They're a very popular bedding option because of their comfort.
Memory foam is a material that will shape around the dog’s body and give it the proper spine, bone and muscle support. It can even help older dogs in relieving their bone, joint and muscle pain. It also helps with circulation. Once the dog gets up, the beg will take its original shape and be ready for another use.
Elevated beds are also an option. They look elegant and luxurious even though they have a simple appearance. But just because they look plain, it doesn’t mean that they aren’t comfortable. On the contrary. They're one of the most comfortable beds ever. Plus, it’s easily portable, lightweight and easy to clean and maintain. You can also buy a vet bed or even a dog mat if your pup isn’t a fan of beds.
A Big Enough Crate
The crate can be another space where the dog can relax and have some time on its own. It should be a safe and comfortable area. The number one thing to consider is the size of the crate. This is determined by the size of the dog. Not just its current size, but how large will it grow? Bigger is not always better in this case. If the crate is too big the dog might soil it. If it’s too small it will be uncomfortable.
There’s also an option to buy a crate that will grow with your dog. By adding extensions, you can make it big enough. Remove them, and you’ll get to the original size. Another thing to consider is sturdiness. Most dog breeds use the crate for chilling, but some can be quite energised while they’re inside. They'll chew, bite, scratch so, you’ll need a sturdy and durable crate. Pick a non-toxic material in case your dog is a chewer.
Multiple entrances are always welcomed and will make the crate more accessible for the dog. This is one of those pet supplies for dogs that has to be easy to clean. It will get dirty often so choose a plastic or a metal crate. If you’re planning on moving a lot and travelling think about portability. There are lightweight folding crates that will make transport much easier.
Suitable Food & Water Bowls
These items are something your dog will use every day for several times a day. If you’re getting a young dog, it’s better if you buy an automatic feeder. Small puppies should have 4-5 smaller meals throughout the day, and this is the perfect bowl to do it. Bowls will gather a lot of bacteria during the day. So, pick one that’s easy to clean. Or even better, a dishwasher-safe one.
Stainless steel, ceramic and glass are the best bowl materials. Stainless steel is on the top because it’s lightweight, easy to clean, durable, rust-resistant, and stain-proof. If the dog is an energetic eater and moves around a lot while eating, get a bowl with a rubber bottom to prevent movement. If you’re adopting a taller dog, buy an elevated bowl that will make eating and drinking much more comfortable.
Fun and Entertaining Toys
Toys fall into the must-have dog supplies. Besides being fun, they’re also good for the dog to learn new things and develop physically. They can cure boredom and calm down the dog when it feels scared or anxious. Dog toys should be safe and durable. You have so much to choose from, fluffy, squeaky, soft, tard, textured, flavoured and much more.
Stay away from toxic materials that can harm your dog’s health. Also, avoid toys that have removable parts. They can be a choking hazard. Active toys like ropes and balls can be a good bonding tool for both of you. Distraction toys are nice when you have some work to do but the little annoyer won’t stop walking behind your heels.
A Properly Fitted Collar
Collars can be a great accessory to help you train the dog. They also make walking much easier because you have more control. There are plenty of options to choose from, flat-buckle, martingale, choke, prong, body harness, head halter and the special ones GPS collar, Elizabethan, vibrating and flea/tick collar.
They’re all made for different purposes and for different dog breeds. The number one thing to consider when buying this essential is the breed of the dog. Dogs with slender necks and smaller heads won’t need the same collar as breeds with thicker, wider necks. When it comes to materials leather is luxurious and will add elegance and nylon is durable, inexpensive and colourful.
