Everyone loves an adorable puppy. Not everyone understands how much preparation is required for dog ownership in order to provide the best possible life for a puppy. Before you bring your new dog home for the first time, there are a few dog essentials that you need to get. If your furry friend is already with you, don’t worry — even first-time dog owners can get up to speed quickly. Always do your research before adopting a pet, they are a lifetime commitment.
Like many Americans, I became a new dog owner in 2020.
We adopted a pair of 5-year-old doggies who need a new home and on short notice. We got a crash course in basic dog gear and toys to help keep the dawgs happy. If you’ve just welcomed a new furry friend (or two) into your life like I did, or are planning to, this guide is for you. I will lay out the things I bought, along with other temptations. Being prepared can make all the difference in keeping dogs and pet parents happy, so we’ll keep this list of dog essentials updated.
My dogs sleep a lot. Since I don’t want to encourage them to crash into people’s beds, dog beds are a must. These beds from Furhaven use memory foam for added support, come in a variety of colors and have an L-shaped headrest. My boys both love them and take advantage of the cozy spots whenever they are around.
Beds come in a variety of sizes, from $30 for a small to $160 for a jumbo plus.
This product may seem a little pointless. Spending more than $100 on a dog-friendly furniture blanket feels like a lot. That said, it’s actually one of my dogs loving sleep (and snore) on the couch. He also sheds hair like a champ. While I haven’t personally tried the PupProtector Throw Blanket, the thousands of glowing customer reviews make it sound like a tempting way to care for a pet. It’s also more visually interesting than the old comforter on my couch.
While not as luxurious as premium dog beds, this soft, reversible, stain-resistant pet blanket from Petmaker is less expensive. When accidents happen, don’t panic. The cover is also machine washable.
For a comfortable and safe way to walk my dogs, I went with the Gentle Leader Headcollar from PetSafe. It’s highly rated by thousands of buyers on Amazon, and is available in multiple colors and sizes for $20. It’s designed to prevent lunging, jumping and pulling while walking, all without strangling your pet.
Here’s a snazzy dog poop bag holder. This one from Eliamo provides storage for pickup bags and also has an LED flashlight. It also connects to standard dog leashes, so you won’t lose piles in the dark.
Make sure motorists can see you and your dog on night walks with the help of this gadget. Illumiseen’s LED Dog Leash glows in solid light or flashes for an extra attention grabber. The Illumiseen promises a battery life of five hours, and you can recharge it via USB. It also comes in six color options.
Dealing with poop is part and parcel of dog ownership. While this is not a fun task, there are ways to reduce the yuck factor. One is to use special bags like these from Frisco. Billed as leakproof and able to mask odors, I can confirm they get the job done with less fuss, and beat flimsy plastic grocery bags any day of the week. The kit includes a box of 900 bags, along with two convenient leash dispensers so you won’t find yourself without them when the time comes.
Do you want to train your dog to let you know he wants to go outside? Folksmate Dog Doorbells let you do just that. Forget about translating magical barks; over time and with proper training, your dog will look at these bells to tell you that he needs to go outside.
For the feeding areas, I used Wesen No Spill Dog Bowls. Starting at $13, each kit comes with three bowls. Both are stainless steel, a 53-ounce food bowl and a 27-ounce water bowl. The third is a collapsible travel bowl designed to pack easily for trips. The last part of the package is a silicone floor mat with bowl cups. All of these are dishwasher safe.
Kibble is very pungent. To keep that dog food smell from entering every corner of your home, it helps to store it properly. I highly recommend the Iris Airtight Food Storage Container. The package includes a 33-quart (25-pound) dry food container along with a 12-quart (10-pound) container for treats. The units are stackable and the main container rests on rotating casters for easy movement and positioning.
The desire to chew things is normal for dogs. Instead of letting Rover use your furniture, socks or shoes to satisfy this need, give your dog a proper chew toy to chew on. You have many options, but my dogs love Petstages Dogwood. It’s safer and more durable than a real wooden stick, and it also doubles as a great fetch toy.
Besides investing in a good vacuum, another way to control pet hair in your home is to invest in a good brush. The Furminator de-shedding brush is a popular choice. It is designed to remove loose hair without harming your dog’s coat and skin. Its designers also claim that with regular use you can reduce shedding by up to 90%.
Enjoy your free time with this charming collection of dog-centric stories. Written by award-winning British writer James Herriot, who also wrote the classic All Creatures Great and Small, Dog Stories is aptly titled. Within its pages are 50 stories of the loving relationship between people and their dogs.
