Essentials You Need Before Getting Your Puppy
By Shreya Tragad
Looking forward to adding a new puppy to your family is always exciting, and you may wonder “what exactly will I need?” It is always best to be prepared before inviting your new little family member, and it may require some pre-planning! We have provided a checklist for you to make sure you are ready to welcome them, providing all the comfort and essentials they will need.
You might have already started doing your research and now that you’re here, we will help you. It is important to consider essential tools such as training, grooming, health and safety, so get ready to welcome your furry little friend!
- Dog Crate
A crate will give your puppy a sense of safety and security in a new home, it will be the place to go to when there is no supervision. The crate will also help your pet sleep throughout the night, you can keep this next to your bed!
- Blanket and Bedding
It would be a nice idea to put a blanket and bedding in the crate to make your new pet feel warm, comfortable and cozy. Your puppy will enjoy snuggling up against a soft blanket rather than the cold steel of the crate.
- Leash and Collar
A leash and collar will make sure you don’t lose your pet; puppies love to explore and be free outside. However, they are not always aware of their surroundings compared to older dogs, which is why it is important to make sure you always remain close to them.
- Dog Tag
In case you do lose your little one, a dog tag will really come in handy to help you get reunited with your pet. Pawzz is a service offered by Gentle Paw where we provide a free dog tag to keep your pet as close to you as possible.
- Food and Water Bowls
Every little puppy may require a different size for bowls because of their size, eating styles, and maybe even medical needs. It’s important to consider how much their food and water intake will be in order to consider the right option!
- Healthy Dog Food
Your new little member will need the right amount of nutrients such as calcium and protein, in order to grow and have enough energy to take them on walks! If you feed them a healthy diet, it will prevent them from diseases when they’re older. There are different options to consider when it comes to dog food, depending on their preferences and needs such as dry food, canned food, grain-free, raw, etc.
- Dog Treats
There are many options to look at when it comes to giving your little puppy some healthy, but delicious treats! There are many varieties from chewy treats to dental treats, it will be a good idea to have a small selection and learn what your pet loves the most!
- Dog Walking Fanny Pack
It would be a good idea to have a dog walking fanny pack to store little items during your walk. Our Expedition Fanny Pack is everything that you need while taking your little one out for a quick walk or going for a hike. A fanny pack will make your walk more enjoyable as you can walk freely with everything you need around your waist.
- Chewing Toys
Puppies enjoy chewing as they explore through their mouths. Providing them with chewing toys will not only help them enjoy their teething instincts, but also save you from the destruction of your favourite pairs of shoes or socks!
- Chasing Toys
It’s great having a puppy with lots of energy who wants to go out and play with you! You can allow them to release their energy through chase toys. This is a fun and healthy exercise for both you and your pet and they will love it.
- Poop Bags
New pet means it’s time to get some poop bags! It’s great to keep a couple handy while you’re taking your little one out on a walk to dispose of it in the nearest bin.
- Paper Towels and Rags
Little puppies will have several accidents in your car, on the sofa, whether it is puppy vomit, pee or poop! It’ll be a good idea to have a couple of paper towels or rags handy to clean up after them.
- Peeing Pads
Your new little puppy will not be learning house training just over one night. Having puppy pads will be convenient in training in the early stages of their lives as they have to go more frequently. The process is as simple as throwing away the used pad with another fresh one! In case they do pee on your carpet or floor, there are many ways to get rid of the smell.
- Brushes
Brushing your pet every couple of days is an essential part of keeping them nicely groomed and looking healthy and good. It will be a good idea to start the first day they enter your home as puppies learn best aged 2 months to 4 months.
- Dental Care
Dental care will be very important for your puppy because severe dental diseases can be extremely painful, and we don’t want them to go through that! It’s important to have their own toothbrush and toothpaste to keep their gums healthy. This will reduce the spread of organ damage as the bacteria can spread to other delicate organs such as their heart, kidney and liver.
- Shampoo
Shampoo is a requirement to maintain the health of young dogs. It will be a good idea to talk to your vet for the right shampoo, you don’t want something too harsh for your little one as it can irritate their skin.
- Nail Trimmer
In order to maintain good health for little pups, it’s important to trim and file them every month or so to avoid the nails cracking or breaking. It’s better to start young so that they become habitual to the process.
- Pet Insurance
Pet insurance will help you pay for unexpected accidents and injuries, so it’s good to be prepared. Pet insurance will also allow you to choose the best medical options and treatments, and will cover incidents such as allergies, digestive issues, cancer and other infections.
- Veterinarian
It will be important to look for the most suitable veterinarian for your new one. Different veterinarians are specialized in working with different kinds of breeds and sizes. You may want to work with one who has expertise with your dog in specific.
There you have it, now get ready to welcome your little one! You may or may not need everything on this list for the first two weeks that you have your puppy, but you may need to purchase more items as they grow and develop!
Many congratulations on your new best friend!