Raising a dog involves a lot of responsibilities. From picking the right food to getting the proper accessories, you need to commit a considerable amount of your time and effort to ensure that he is healthy and happy.

Before adopting a puppy, determine first if you are ready to take on such a responsibility. Moreover, equip yourself with the right knowledge and skills for caring for dogs. Knowing what he needs will make it a lot easier to ensure that he is properly cared for.

Here are the 10 essential dog accessories and supplies you must get for your new furry buddy.

1. Bed

Dogs need a space where they can relax and sleep, and a warm, soft mattress is the best place to curl up. Purchase one that is comfortable and portable so you can carry it with you if you travel. This way, your pup will have something that feels and smells like home in an unfamiliar place. Also, choose a bed that is big enough so he can still fit in it even when he grows.

Some of the options include oval beds, plastic beds, fleece beds, waterproof beds, and quilted mattress beds.

2. Food

Choosing the right food for your new pup can be challenging because there are plenty of options nowadays. Finding a high-quality dog food brand is a good start. Orijen, Applaws, Taste of the Wild, Royal Canin, and Vitalin are excellent choices. Some brands offer food that is best for specific age groups and breeds.

If you are not sure about what food to give, taking your pup to a pet clinic for an initial check-up and assessment will help you decide which nutrients he requires. The vet may recommend a high-quality product from a Dubai pet food company to help you get the best nourishment for your new pup.

If your pup doesn’t like the taste or has stomach issues with the food you introduced, change it gradually. Introduce new food in small amounts.

3. Chews

Chews can help keep your puppy’s teeth strong and healthy by naturally cleaning them. These treats can help your pup express his urge to bite or chew things, especially when he is teething.

You can choose from among bones, antlers, ropes, and rawhide. Take extra caution or supervise him whenever you give him chews.

4. Toys

Toys will keep your puppy entertained. The kind of toys you get will greatly depend on what he loves, so it would be best to purchase a handful and observe which items he has the most fun with.

Playing is an integral part of a puppy’s growth and development. This is also an excellent way to stimulate him mentally. Most importantly, allocating some time to play with your new buddy will help establish a solid bond.

Some of the stimulating toys you can get include balls, squeaky toys, a Frisbee, soft toys, bones, and retrieval toys.

5. Treats

Treats are mainly used for puppy training. Consider taking some whenever you go outdoors so you can train him whenever you are on the go. Find a treat that is both enticing and delicious, so he remains focused during training. Some of the best options include biscuits, bones, fish and meaty treats, tripe, gravy bones, chews, and pig ears.

6. Grooming products

Your pup needs to be groomed on a regular basis so he can have healthy skin and coat. The grooming products you should buy will depend on the breed of dog you have. A dog with short, smooth hair won’t need much grooming as compared to a furry, long-haired type.

Basically, you must trim his nails, brush him to remove dead hair, and keep his ears clean regularly. It would also be best to schedule him for professional grooming once in a while, especially if he has a thick, long coat.

Some of the primary grooming products you must buy are shampoo, brushes, towels, nail clippers, ear cleaner, and de-shredding tools.

7. Collar

Make sure everyone is aware of your pup’s name and owner by giving him a collar with an identification tag. Buy one that does not just make him look nice, but also fits him comfortably.

8. Leash and harness

Taking your pup for a walk is a great way to bond and exercise. Make sure to buy him the right harness and leash by considering his energy level and size.

9. Bowls

Get your pup two bowls – one for food and the other one for water. This will help reduce mess and establish an excellent feeding routine. Remember to give him access to clean water to keep him hydrated.

There is a wide range of styles to choose from in terms of pet’s dinnerware. A good option is an affordable and non-breakable bowl.

10. First aid kit

Accidents can happen, and there is no better way of ensuring that you’ll be able to give your pup immediate care than by having a dog first aid kit at home or in your car. With this kit at hand, you don’t have to worry much whenever your pup gets hurt while playing or during travel. Make sure though to know how to use these essential items or it would just be useless.

The kit should include gauze, a pair of scissors, hydrogen peroxide, a towel, antibiotic ointment, poop bags, important medicines, and the vet’s emergency contact number.

To make sure that your house is pet-friendly once you decide to bring your new dog home, you must get all the crucial supplies. Include these ten essentials in your list so you can be fully prepared.

Author Bio

Farah Al-Khojai is the Managing Partner of Pet’s Delight. A passionate entrepreneur, Farah holds a Bsc in Government from the London School of Economics. She is always on the lookout for new opportunities to develop and grow the pet and equestrian retail and wholesale market in the UAE and beyond, and is proud to be at the helm of the first and the largest pet care provider in the market representing world-class brands including Orijen, Applaws, Hunter, Savic, Flamingo, Ruffwear and Rogz.