8 Must-Have Products for Your New Puppy

You are about to receive your new puppy either from an orphanage or a breeder. You are excited as you prepare for the arrival of a new furry addition to the family, but you are feeling a bit nervous amidst all the excitement. Just like every other new puppy owner, you are not sure of what you will need for your puppy. Getting a puppy does not have to be complicated when you know the right things to get for your pup. Let us look at the items that you should have on your shopping list as you prepare for the puppy’s arrival.

Appropriately-sized crate and containment

You will need a crate when going to pick up your puppy, so it is essential that you buy it beforehand. Both the crate and containment should be big enough for the puppy to stand, stretch, and turn around. We do not want the puppy to feel like a captive, do we? Since crates and containments come in different sizes and shapes, it is good to know your puppy’s breed and his estimated size.

Crates come in different materials like steel, fiberglass, and plastic. Steel crates are durable, but they are not very cozy. Plastic and fiberglass crates replicate a cozy den when outfitted with a warm, soft bed and blanket. Fiberglass and plastic varieties also provide security and safety to your puppy especially when flying or driving. Containments are essential for use in the house where you can confine your puppy for observation. They are also good since they aid in house training a pup. Just like the crate, the containment should be large enough for your puppy to move freely and stretch.

Collar/harness and leash

It is essential to get a collar or harness and a leash for your puppy when you bring him home. A collar holds the pup’s identification details and attaches to the leash when you want to walk the puppy. The harness serves the same purpose as the collar but takes the stress away from the pup’s neck to prevent trachea injuries that occur when puppies keep yanking at the leash. The leash attaches to either the collar or the leash when you are walking your puppy and during obedience training.

The best collar for your puppy is an adjustable light nylon collar with a two-piece buckle. Make sure to fit the collar snugly so that it’s neither too loose to fall off, nor too tight to choke the puppy. You should be able to fit two fingers between your pup’s neck and the collar when your pup wears it. The leash should be well-made and sturdy. The link that attaches to the collar or harness should also be strong. The ideal leash size for walks should be about 4 feet. You will, however, need a longer leash for obedience training.

Dog bed

Your puppy needs a soft surface to lay his head after a long day of playing and looking cute. You will need to get a small bed for the containment area since that is where your pup will spend most of the time. A fleece or fur dog bed like MidWest Deluxe bed is the best for your puppy since it is warm and cozy. Once your puppy is house trained, you can get a real dog bed or pillows. Keep an eye on the puppy to make sure that he does not chew his beddings. Chewing the beddings might cause intestinal problems in your puppy.

Identification

Pet identification is essential for your puppy. The primary importance of pet identification is helping find lost pets. The two main types of identification are a microchip and a tag. A microchip is a device the size of a rice grain containing a code which links to a database with your contact details. A vet injects the microchip between your puppy’s shoulder blades to help identify the puppy.

In case your pup is lost, a worker at the animal shelter scans the microchip with a handheld device and uses the code to pull your contact information from the database. A tag is a medallion made of plastic or metal with your contact information engraved on it. You can include your name, phone number, and address on the tag. In case your pup gets lost, anyone who finds him can call you and arrange for you to collect the pup.

Toys

Puppies need toys to entertain them and help them develop. One of the types of toys that you need for your puppy is a non-toxic, chewable rubber toy. Puppies have a strong urge to gnaw at things, and chewable toys help satisfy that urge. Another type of toy that you need to get your pup is a plush animal to provide comfort to your puppy. Puppies can get lonely in their containment areas, and they need some form of company. Plush toys act as companions to your pup so that he does not feel too lonely. Treat dispensing toys are another smart choice of toys for your puppy. Treat dispensing toys play a crucial role in improving your puppy’s intelligence and critical thinking capabilities. You can also get fetching toys like flying discs and balls for your puppy’s entertainment when you take him outdoors.

Grooming supplies

Your pup needs to stay clean and well-groomed, so it is essential to get grooming supplies before your puppy arrives. You need to clean and brush the pup’s coat, trim his nails, and brush his teeth from an early stage. Starting the grooming routine early helps your pup to learn how to behave during the process. Some of the grooming products that you will need include bristle brushes, conditioning spray, shampoo, towels, toothbrush and dog toothpaste, ear cleaning solution, and nail clippers.

Food and treats

Do not be fooled by your pup’s tiny body size. Puppies have huge appetites and a massive calorie requirement for their growth, so you need to have some food and treats when your pup arrives. The ideal food to get is puppy food like Nutro Wholesome food. Puppy food is much better than general dog food because it contains all the nutrients that your pup needs for a healthy development. Treats, on the other hand, are essential for behavior training and other forms of training. You give the treats to your puppy when he behaves well to condition him into repeating that behavior in the future.

Food and water bowls

Your pup needs feeding bowls when he gets home. There are many varieties to choose from, but the main ones are plastic, ceramic, glass, and stainless steel. Plastic bowls are the cheapest, but they are light and can harbor bacteria in cracks. If you decide to get plastic bowls, make sure that they are made from hard plastic and replace them immediately you notice signs of wear. Ceramic and glass bowls are heavier and durable if you can keep your pup from breaking them. You should go for dishwasher-safe bowls if you choose to go with glass or ceramic bowls. Stainless steel bowls are the most durable, but they are also a bit pricey.

Conclusion:

It is essential to get all these items and set them up beforehand so that your pup transitions smoothly to the new surroundings. In addition to getting all these items, you also need to puppy proof your home for the puppy’s safety. Move plant pots and cables out of the way and make sure that no tiny objects are lying around which your puppy might ingest.

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