Getting a new dog or puppy for yourself or for your family is surely a wonderful experience. At the same time, you should be well prepared to welcome your new furry companion to make him more comfortable. Your dog requires specific dog supplies to suit to his specific needs and for his own safety. But, selecting the right dog supplies for your new family member is a herculean task.
Here are some essential dog supplies that you can start from.
Food is an essential requirement for all the living beings including your dog. Therefore, the bowl for serving the food is an essential dog supply. While choosing a food bowl, it would be wise to choose a bowl made of stainless steel rather than choosing the plastic one.
Plastic bowls, though attractive, are not durable and can be scratched easily. Moreover, they can become a storehouse for germs. Therefore, stainless steel food bowls would be a safer option from the point of view of hygiene as well. As for food, it would be best to consult with your vet to maintain the dog’s health in the best possible manner.
Collar and leash are basic dog supplies for your dog’s safety. Dog collars are available in many colors, widths and styles. The collar should have an identification tag bearing your name, address, phone number etc attached to it. There are choke collars, buckle collars, pinch collars and so on. A nylon or leather dog collars are comfortable and can be worn at all times. Rolled leather dog collars are often used for long haired dogs.
Choke chain and slip collars are particularly used for training only. Pinch collars are often not recommended. If the dog is very difficult to control, a pinch collar can be used for a short time under professional supervision.
The collar should neither be too tight nor loose.
Ideally, it should be tight enough so that your dog does not get it off himself and it should be loose enough so that your dog does not feel suffocated. A two finger gap between the collar and the dog’s neck should be sufficient. Generally, flat buckle collars are recommended for puppies, though not for all breeds. The collar should be checked from time to time, especially in case of growing dogs.
The leash should neither be too heavy nor too light. Retractable leashes are quite popular as they give the owner to control the lead that they want to allow their dogs. Hence, they are useful when walking your dog, while travelling with him or even when he is tied outside. Though, there are mixed views regarding retractable leashes as they give less freedom to the dog. In case of strong pulling dogs, dog harnesses are also recommended. A harness is typically placed between your dog’s shoulders and ribcage behind his front legs to reduce pressure on the throat when he tries to pull away from you.
Dog crate is another essential dog supply especially for times when you leave your puppy alone in the house or for transportation. It should be large enough for the dog to comfortable stand and lie down. These crates can be plastic or metallic. Dog tents also serve the same purpose with the additional advantage of being lightweight and folding advantage. Though, soft crates and dog tents are not preferred for transportation purposes. Plus, adult dogs love to have their own special cozy dog beds. Dog beds are essential for dogs with arthritis as the hard floor can be uncomfortable for them.
Dog supplies also include dog treats and dog toys. Dog treats help in rewarding dogs for their obedience and correct behavior. When you want you pamper your beloved friend, you can safely give him these nutritional dog treats, dog biscuits, dog cookies, edible dog bones etc instead of giving him any harmful foods like chocolates. These dog treats are particularly useful while dog training for giving positive reinforcements to the dog.
As for dog toys, they can accompany your dog when he is alone and can help a great deal in the maintaining adequate physical and mental fitness. Your dog’s size, level of activity required, his preferences can help to choose toys for him. Safety is also a big concern. Try to get him such chew toys that can not be ingested easily. Therefore, very small toys should be avoided as the dog can attempt to swallow them. It would be wise to choose toys that are durable and easy to clean.
Dog grooming products are also integral part of dog supplies. Last but not the least, you need to spend some time in researching the best as well as cheap dog supplies available in the market to suit your dog’s particular needs and preferences. Certain dog supplies like dog treats can also be prepared at home, but you need to be aware of the dos and don’ts of that too.
