By: Plants and Home
Bringing a dog into your home is a rewarding experience, but it comes with responsibilities. To ensure your furry friend is happy, healthy, and comfortable, here are some must-have items every dog owner should consider:
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1. Food and Water Bowls
Invest in durable, non-slip bowls for food and water. Stainless steel or ceramic options are best as they are easy to clean and don’t retain bacteria like plastic. I have 6 dogs and needed a larger water dish than many households, I use a steam pan. I would need to fill up a normal-sized dog bowl multiple times a day, and now I freshen it up once a day. We used scrap wood to build a water dish holder that my dachshunds use as a step since it sits up a little high. You don’t want to forget a place to store the dog food; these bins have wheels, or you can take off the wheels and stack them. These airtight storage containers help keep the food smells from leaking out. If your dog food includes salmon, you won’t have to worry about the room smelling like an aquarium.
2. Quality Dog Food
Providing proper nutrition is essential for your dog’s health. Choose high-quality dog food that meets your pet’s age, breed, and dietary needs. Consult your vet for recommendations.
3. Comfortable Bed
Dogs need a cozy spot to rest and sleep. A comfortable, appropriately sized dog bed with adequate cushioning supports their joints and overall well-being. I use these mattresses for my dogs, and I can choose a fitted sheet from a variety of colors to match my room’s décor. These mattresses also make cleanup easier and are less likely to stink because of the material. My dogs also use these cots (pictured above with the three doggies). I like the cots because they are easy to pick up and move from room to room. The cots are easy to clean, and cleanup is important to me because I don’t want my house to smell, and the dogs get sick sometimes, and my Dachshunds get excited and pee sometimes, so I clean the cots often. I simply take them outside, or I put them in the tub (depending on the weather) and spray with fabric cleaner, deodorizer, and dish soap, and spray it off and let the cot air dry. I want the product to last, these are well used and have held up well.
4. Collar and Leash
A sturdy collar with an ID tag and a reliable leash is crucial for walks and outings. Consider an adjustable collar for a perfect fit and a retractable or standard leash depending on your dog’s walking habits. I have two German Shepherd mixes and a Dalmatian mix, and I use a dog harness for them. The larger dogs pull a lot when they see other dogs, and the harnesses make it easier to pull them back, so I can get the dog to refocus on me (and the treats). They are less likely to wiggle out of a harness than a regular collar. The harness also fits broad-chested dogs such as my 110 lbs lab mix and my Bull Terrier, which may be more difficult to find a harness for. Harnesses also work better for my big-chested Dachshunds; their weasel shape makes it easy for them to wiggle out of a regular collar. I use this harness, which is very adjustable to the Dachshund’s shape.
5. Identification and Microchip
Accidents happen, and dogs can sometimes get lost. Ensure your pet has an ID tag with your contact information and consider microchipping for added security. Don’t forget to change the information on the microchip when your phone number or address changes.
6. Toys and Enrichment Items
Dogs need mental stimulation and physical exercise. A variety of chew toys, puzzle feeders, and interactive toys can help keep them entertained and prevent destructive behaviors. One of my three Dachshunds, Little Foot, aka Feets, loves playing with toy balls. He always carries a ball to his food bowl and drops it in the bowl while he eats around it. The German Shepherd Mixes (Roshi and Ichi), Dalmatian Mix (Squids), and Labrador Mixes (Atlas and Monkey) also enjoyed these toy balls. Feets stares at the location where he believes the ball is and barks until I get it for him (he has trained me well, and the bonus human). His other hobbies include rolling the ball in a place he can’t reach and barking until somebody gets it for him. Feets also enjoys playing with a toy I refer to as Miss Dino for cuddling and shaking, he is fur-osious….. mostly fur. My dogs enjoy these chews; they last my dogs a few months. They also like stuff-less, squeaky toys; they don’t last very long, but the dogs enjoy them. Squids enjoys making it squeak nonstop right in my face, I’m not sure if he is proud or if he knows that what he is doing is annoying because he looks awfully smug while doing it. My yellow Labrador mix, Atlas, and unknown brindle dog mix Waffle (they are resting in peace) enjoyed chewing on these chews, and these would last a few months. Hiding toys or treats so your dog needs to seek them is a stimulating game that dogs and humans can enjoy.
7. Grooming Supplies
Regular grooming keeps your dog clean and healthy. Essentials include a brush suited for your dog’s coat type, dog-safe shampoo, nail clippers, and a toothbrush with dog-friendly toothpaste. This is a nice grooming kit, an assortment of brushes for different hair types. I have many dogs with different textured hair and lengths, so the grooming kit is perfect. I usually use human shampoo for my dogs. I figured it works for my hair, hasn’t caused me skin issues, and I’m still alive, so it will work for my dogs. It claims to be 100% vegan, cruelty-free, paraben and sulfate-free. Sometimes, a few of my dogs need whitening because of their lighter coats, and they roll around in stuff that stains, and use this dog wash instead. It also helps remove stains caused by poryphrin/reddish stains around their eyes, paws, and mouth.
8. Crate or Carrier
A crate provides a safe space for your dog, aids in-house training, and is useful for travel. Choose a crate that allows your dog to stand, turn around, and lie comfortably. Squids has bad anxiety and would escape or destroy the cage, so I got him this cage, and he has not destroyed it. I like the cage, they are nicer looking than other cages, so we bought two of them. The Dachshunds use this smaller cage. My dogs that don’t have bad cage destroying anxiety go in this larger cage, large enough for a 60 lbs German Shepherd mix.Â
9. Waste Bags and Pooper Scooper
Responsible pet ownership includes cleaning up after your dog. Biodegradable waste bags and a pooper scooper make the task easier and more eco-friendly. This clean-up kit works well and makes it easier for one person to do it alone.
10. First Aid Kit
A basic pet first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, and emergency contact numbers can be a lifesaver in unexpected situations. These first aid kits are nice because the pouch helps keep everything you need together and makes it easy to take on the go.
11. Training Essentials
Basic training is key to a well-behaved dog. Treats, praise because dogs love making you happy, a clicker (if using positive reinforcement training), and patience go a long way in shaping good behavior. Training to sit, lie, up, down, shake paws, and stay are a few things dogs need to know, and it can help keep the dog and others safe. Enrichment activities keep the dog mentally stimulated and grow the relationship between you and the dog.
12. Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Preventatives
Protect your dog from parasites by keeping up with vet-recommended flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives. I use this preventative for our flea and tick prevention for our bigger dogs over 55 lbs, this preventative for our medium-sized dogs 21-55 lbs, and I use this preventative for our flea and tick prevention for our smaller dogs 11-20 lbs. These products keep away the fleas and ticks while living near a heavily treed area. My dogs have no issues with these products, but some dogs may, so talk about it with your veterinarian first. I recommend going lower if you’re not sure. I have a Dachshund that weighs 21 lbs but needs the 11-20 lbs flea and tick prevention, but again, talk with your veterinarian. I purchase my dog’s heartworm preventatives from the veterinarian, Heartgard. (Thank you, Squids is the perfect model.)
By ensuring you have these essential items, you’ll set yourself and your dog up for a happy and fulfilling life together. Owning a dog is a lifelong commitment, but with the right supplies, it can be a smooth and enjoyable journey!
When it comes to dog ownership, having access to the right products is essential. To facilitate this, I have integrated affiliate links throughout this blog, allowing readers to access a curated selection of recommended items seamlessly. An affiliate link is a special URL that directs you to a specific product or service, and in turn, if a purchase is made through this link, I earn a small commission. This commission helps support the maintenance of this blog, ensuring I continue providing valuable content for dog owners and our furry family members.
