Welcoming a new puppy into your life is an incredibly exciting time. Before you bring your new furry friend home from the shelter, you’ll want to prepare for their arrival by purchasing some essential puppy supplies. If you’re a first time pet owner, you may be wondering exactly what you need to welcome your puppy to its new home. From picking out the perfect dog bowls to the best type of leash for walks around the neighborhood, we’ve got a list of some of the most important things you need to buy when you get a puppy.
Food and Water Bowls to Nourish Your Pup
The first thing you’ll want to get before bringing your puppy home is a set of dog bowls that they can eat and drink out of. It’s important for your dog to have a space in your home that they know is their “dining room” of sorts. Additionally, if you have multiple dogs at home already, you’ll want to get new dog bowls for your puppy, so they have designated food and water for themselves that their furry siblings won’t try to eat instead.
Dog bowls come in a variety of materials. For the best durability and ease of cleaning, try stainless steel dog bowls, which are durable as well as dishwasher safe. On top of this, many dog bowls come with silicone covers in fun colors, so you can spice up your puppy’s feeding station with a color that suits them. Many dog bowls also have a customization option, which allows you to label the bowl with their name as well as cute dog-themed emojis. While your dog might not be able to read, we’re sure they’ll appreciate the sentiment and enjoy eating and drinking out of the wonderful dog bowls you’ve gotten them.
Using freeze dried dog food is an easy way to give your pet a high-quality diet. This type of dog food contains a variety of nutritious ingredients that are easy to prepare and store. They can be used as a primary diet or a topper.
A Cute and Comfortable Collar
Another new puppy essential to buy is a collar so your dog can easily be identified. Adjustable collars are best for puppies, as you can loosen them up as your puppy grows to its adult dog size. You’ll want to include all pertinent identifying information on the ID tag of your dog’s collar as well. Be sure to include your dog’s name, as well as your home phone number that can be called in case your dog gets lost.
It’s also important to make sure that your puppy’s collar fits just right. In order to ensure this, you’ll want to make the collar tight enough that you can fit a finger or two underneath it, but not so loose that they can easily slip their head out of it.
Dog collars come in a variety of fabrics, prints, and colors too, so they’re just as practical as they are a fashion staple!
A Leash and Harness for Fun and Safe Walks
Adjusting to a new neighborhood can be incredibly overwhelming for a new puppy, which makes getting a good leash and harness combo so important. While you can attach a leash to your dog’s collar, a harness is more secure and also puts less strain on a dog’s neck when the leash is pulled to restrain them. Puppies have a tendency to get easily excited, so you’ll want to be able to pull back on their leash without fear of hurting them when they decide to go chasing after a squirrel in the middle of your afternoon walk.
Dog Beds for Sweet Dreams
As much as puppies are balls of furry energy, they also need a whole lot of sleep. As such, you’ll want to have a dog bed for them so they can get their much needed rest in. If your puppy is really young, or you have other dogs in the house, you may want to have a separate playpen or crate for them to sleep in that’s secluded from external interruption. Crate spaces are also useful for puppy training and to keep them safe when you’re unable to supervise them around the house.
Plenty of Toys to Play With and Chew
Puppies need lots of stimulation and attention in order to grow into happy, healthy adult dogs. Getting your puppy an array of fun toys to play with ensures that they’ll be kept entertained and get their energy out. Dog toys that can be chewed are also great for keeping dogs occupied, and ensuring that they don’t try to teeth on household objects like pillows or loose cords. Try to get your dog a variety of toys: a combination of balls, plush chew toys, ropes, and bones is a great place to start.
Make Your Home a Puppy Paradise
Now that you know some of the essential items to have on hand for a puppy, it’s time to bring your furry friend home! Getting a puppy is an incredibly joyful and rewarding experience. Being a dog owner also means making sure that your pup has the supplies it needs to thrive. By making sure you have the items you need on hand, you’ll be sure that your pup is living the best life it can.
