Essential Dog Supplies for New Owners
Getting a new dog is exciting, but it’s also a big transition. You’ll be responsible for welcoming your canine companion to their new home. As such, they’ll be relying on you for all the creature comforts they need to live a healthy, happy life.
Technically, dogs don’t need much, but we’d say there are a few absolute essentials to take care of their basic requirements.
Based on our experience of handling many thousands of furry guests at our dog boarding and daycare center in Middletown, here are the top dog supplies for new owners we’d recommend.
Easy-to-Clean Food Bowls
The most essential things your dog needs to live a long and healthy life are regular access to clean water and a daily source of quality nutrition.
To give their meals and liquid refreshment somewhere to live, you’ll need a set of dog bowls. Look for ones that are easy to clean and big enough for your dog to comfortably put in their whole snout. If you have a puppy or an energetic eater, consider getting heavy-bottomed bowls that won’t tip over.
Messy eaters can also benefit from having a food mat to catch all the extra kibble. These save your floor from loose food while giving the dog something more sanitary to snack off of when they wrap up their meal.
While your dog may start off low to the ground, they will appreciate having food brought to their neck height as they grow. You can buy a riser to lift up the dog bowls, which also makes the bowls harder to tip over. As the American Kennel Club writes: “Elevated dog bowls are a great choice for dogs to help reduce the strain in their neck.”
Some dogs eat too quickly, which could lead to an upset stomach and some of their food “revisiting” the world earlier than intended. To slow down eating and reduce the risk of vomiting or belly bloat, you can buy a “slow feeder” bowl. These have compartments that force the dog to take their time, allowing them to digest their food and avoid gulping down air while they eat.
For always-fresh water, you can even go the extra mile and purchase a fountain that cycles their water through a filter. Now that’s a posh pet!
Food Containers
You’ll want a way to securely store your dog’s food that won’t tempt your dog into conducting daring late-night pantry raids.
Not only will these containers keep their food secure and fresh, but they also keep out pests. “Otherwise, mice, bugs, and other unwelcome critters may break into your supply,” notes USA Today.
They recommend a stackable set that holds up to 60 pounds of food at once and is sturdy enough to discourage tampering.
Kennel or Crate
Smaller dogs can benefit greatly from having a kennel to ride around in on trips, especially when traveling or going places like the vet.
Dogs of all sizes can benefit from having their own crate. Admittedly, some people may not love the idea of confining their pet at night or while they’re alone at the house. However, the truth is that they can get more anxious and get into more trouble when they have full reign of their new territory.
Providing them with a crate gives them a place to call “home” and escape from all the hectic activity. Crates are particularly useful when they share the house with other pets or small children.
Crates can be very beneficial while house-training puppies, too. You can buy a crate with a divider to give them just enough room to stay comfortable. By reducing their space in the crate, they are less likely to go to the bathroom at night or while you’re away. You can then start the positive reinforcement cycle of rewarding them with a potty break the moment they get out.
Collar, Name Tag, and Tracker
A durable collar is extremely important, especially if your new dog happens to get lost. Get them a custom tag, too, with your phone number and any other information you’re comfortable sharing in the event they escape.
Newer technology offers trackers you can put on your pet’s collar to find them anywhere they get lost.
The right collar for your pet is one that can grow along with them. While you may need to eventually replace it when they grow, the collar should always be highly adjustable and comfortable for them to wear as they gain and lose weight throughout the year.
Wirecutter Magazine recommends this personalized reflective dog collar from Orvis. It’s not only great quality and comes in multiple sizes, but you can include the dog’s name and contact information right on the collar, just in case their tag falls off. As a bonus, the whole surface is reflective, making it easier to see them at night.
Sturdy Leash
Your dog’s leash has a huge effect on their safety. The leash should be long enough to give them some leeway, but not long enough that they are likely to wrap around anything or get caught.
We would absolutely recommend not getting a retractable leash of any kind. While these may seem nifty and convenient, the truth is that retractable leashes can severely injure both you and your dog.
If your dog is having trouble with pulling while walking around Middletown, we would suggest getting them a harness or a leader. Both take pressure off the dog’s throat while giving you greater control over them.
Leaders are good for walk training. They loop over the face and pull on the snout rather than at the throat. While the arrangement can look awkward — or perhaps even heartless — it works a lot better and is less likely to result in injury compared to a choke collar, pinch collar, or regular collar.
Harnesses are great for dogs that like wearing clothes, and they can pull double duty by letting your dog carry their own poop bags and other walking essentials.
Dog Bed or Blanket
A dog bed isn’t essential, but it is nice for them to have. Their bed gives them a place they can call their own. It also reduces stress on their joints as they age.
The right type of bed for your dog depends on their breed, size, coat, and preferences.
Alternatively — or in addition to a dog bed — you can get a sturdy water-resistant dog blanket. These can be placed on the floor or furniture as a way to trap fur and dirt while keeping your dog nicely insulated and comfortable all year round.
Pee Pads
Whether or not your new dog has already been housetrained, they’re going to have a bit of a learning curve at their new home.
Pee pads can ease their transition while preventing unwanted behaviors before they gain traction. After all, once a dog has peed on a spot, it is more likely to return to it as a form of marking if they can pick up their own scent. In fact, this is how many pee pads work: they contain pheromones (in addition to absorbent materials) that attract the dog’s instincts to find a good spot to go.
Speaking of avoiding urine scents, you can invest in an enzyme cleaner like Nature’s Miracle to take care of any accidents without a lingering smell.
Dog Gate
Dog gates are another helpful item for transitioning them into their new space. Just like how crates reduce their likelihood of making messes or getting into trouble, a sturdy gate can keep them out of parts of the house that could pose a threat to their health and safety.
When you first welcome your dog into their new home, they will feel more comfortable if they can get used to a specific area of the house. Giving them free rein in all the rooms can actually be intimidating. It can also invite them to go to the bathroom in unwanted places since they may think that they have “excess territory” that can be reserved for potty times.
In the most serious cases, a dog gate can be key to preventing them from escaping or getting into toxic hazards, like litter boxes or chemicals stored in the garage.
Dog gates help your new family member get more accustomed to certain areas while avoiding these types of problems. As the dog eases more into the family environment, you can expand their territory or get rid of the dog gate entirely, in some cases.
Treats
Treats may not be a necessity, but they sure are comforting! You can also use them to immediately start reinforcing certain behaviors, such as recall.
Toys
Toys can help your dog feel more comfortable in their new environment while giving something to stave off boredom and anxiety.
Car Seatbelt
Larger dogs that don’t fit easily in a kennel should be safely buckled up during trips, just like everyone else in the family. There are many different designs, so do research to find one that fits your dog’s size comfortably and is also compatible with your vehicle’s safety belt configuration.
Brush
Dogs should be brushed several times a week. Some breeds will need brushing daily.
Look for a brush that matches their coat and your needs. Wire-haired dogs, for example, need special brushes that don’t dig into their skin since their coats are relatively thin. Dogs with thicker piles of fur, like Siberian Huskies, will need longer bristles to detangle and lift up the fur as you brush.
A de-shedding brush is a good in-between for most dogs. You can then use a slicker brush for any medium-length coats.
Dog Shampoo
Human shampoo can dry out dogs’ skin. It can also lead to them ingesting toxic substances while licking their coat dry.
Instead, buy a dog-safe shampoo. Look for a non-toxic, biodegradable brand that works with their coat’s thickness and needed level of moisture.
Poop Bags
Keep Middletown poop free! Look for a biodegradable brand, and try to find a convenient dispenser that clips to their leash or harness, so you never have to go looking for them when it’s time for walkies.
Nail Clippers
It’s a good idea to get your dog used to clipping their nails as early as possible. While it’s easier to get this done at a vet or groomer, there may be times when you need to shorten their nails to prevent injury.
Car Seat Cover
Dog fur is notoriously difficult to get out of car seats, so it’s better to prevent it altogether with a large blanket or easy-to-clean seat cover.
Dog Sweater for Chilly Middletown Winters
Unless your dog was built for the Arctic, they likely can benefit from a sweater to keep the chill and wetness away. Short-hair breeds like pit mixes and Australian heelers are particularly sensitive to cold, so invest in a sturdy, weather-proof insulated vest or sweater to protect them during the more frigid months.
What Are the 100% Essential Dog Supplies for My New Dog?
If you’re trying to be as bare bones as possible (no pun intended!) about equipping your new dog, these are the items we say are absolutely required:
- Easy-to-clean food and water bowls
- Leash and collar, with ID
- Brush
- Crate or kennel
- Poop bags
Finding a Good Dog Daycare, Trainer, and Boarding Facility
Bringing a dog into their new home is always exciting — but it can also be tough! They may have difficulty adjusting to their new environment, especially if they are left home alone or if they don’t have any playmates
Greenlin Pet Resorts can give them access to new friends and a safe place to stay while you are away. If you need to leave town or can’t have your new friend at home for an extended period, we offer pet boarding that includes daily wellness checks from highly trained staff — all of whom are certified in pet CPR and first-aid.
You can even get your new relationship started off on the right paw with dog training sessions. These are personalized to your goals and your dog’s unique personality. Get to know each other quickly while establishing mutual respect and boundaries thanks to our hands-on training approach.
We even offer dog bathing, helping you keep your furry family member’s coat clean and shiny with every visit.
Learn how to make your new furry family member’s life better than ever — even when you can’t be there — by booking a free tour of our facilities. Schedule your service or visit today!