Tips for Pet Parents: Essential Pet Supplies to Prepare Your Home for Your New Dog

By Maria Rogerson

October 13, 2021Pets

Living with dogs is one of the most amazing experiences in the world. Not only are dogs great companions and super fun and bring buckets of joy in their human’s life, but they also have an incredibly positive impact on your overall well-being. Caring for a dog has been shown to improve both people’s mental and physical health.  It can be beneficial for your social life and lifestyle and has positive effects on children’s development. So, if you are about to become a pet parent for the first time, you are in for one of the best journeys of your life.

On the other hand, living with a dog is not all sunshine and rainbows, because adopting a dog comes with a lot of responsibilities, which can be time-consuming and will, most certainly, affect your budget. So, if you are willing to do all the work and you feel ready for the commitment, before bringing your new best friend into their future home and change your life for the better, you need to prepare. In other words, you should make a list and purchase several types of dog supplies, to make sure that the puppy will be healthy and happy.

Aside from learning how to take care of your dog’s health, nutrition, hygiene and safety, this list includes products that will cover all the aspects of your pet’s life, including sleeping, entertainment, walking, eating. Luckily, it is not too hard to find pet supplies dog owners love, because once you find a trustworthy retailer that provides safe and quality products, the rest of the task is a piece of cake.

For Sleeping and Resting 

dog in a dog bed
source: amazon.com

Dogs love to doze off. As a matter of fact, they spend a long part of their day napping and they can fall asleep just about anywhere both indoors and outdoors ­– on the sofa, an armchair, your bed, a rug or a carpet, on the grass, concrete, tiles… You get the point. However, everyone needs their own bed and their own little corner, and it’s no different for our pats. And more importantly, finding a good dog bed is very beneficial both for dogs and their human companions. 

There are many different models of dog beds, which defer in size, quality, design, colour, comfort, softness, etc., so you can find anything from round, square or oval beds, with or without sides, sofa style beds, futons, igloo-shaped beds all the way to comfy flat mattresses and orthopaedic beds. With Australia having one of the highest pet ownership rates in the world, the choices are endless, which can make it difficult to select one for your good boy. 

Aside from following your taste and buying the cutest bed you can find, the best way to select one is to learn everything you can about your dog’s creed – how big it will get, whether there are some health issues that may show up later in their life, like arthritis, and so on. Aim for the best quality, to ensure that it can last for a long time, and of course, don’t forget about comfort.

For Walking and Traveling 

dog walking
source: theconversation.com

Your dog will need to stretch their four legs regularly, which is why you need to get ready for your walks. Throughout their life, you may have to invest in more than one lead collar or harness, as they grow. However, always aim to get a high-quality, durable product to make sure that it will last longer, especially once your dog has reached their full growth.

Not all dogs are comfortable in winter, so if the weather gets cold where you live, you may also think about ways to keep your pet warm while you are outdoors. For instance, you can get a dog jacket or dog boots. This can not only make your dog comfortable, but it will also help you keep their paws clean.

Aside from the essentials for walking, if you love travelling or you think you will take your dog for car rides, you can also invest in car accessories. Some of the pet supplies dog owners love include ramps, car seats, car belts, hammocks, etc. Regardless of whether you are adopting a small or a big dog, a puppy or an older dog, ramps are a great investment. Many dogs suffer from joint paint throughout their life, and jumping in and out of the car all the time can speed up this process. They are also great for smaller breeds and puppies that can’t get in the vehicle easily. 

For Entertainment 

dog playing with toy
source: hearstapps.com

Dogs love playing, whether it’s with people, with other pets or by themselves. Nevertheless, dog toys aren’t only important for the sake of entertainment. In fact, toys are some of the most important pet supplies for dogs you can get, because they play several big roles in your dog’s life. 

Namely, toys help your dog stay engaged, so they don’t get bored and lonely. They can help them learn how to spend time alone, keep them distracted, comfort them if they are scared or feel anxious, for instance when they are home alone, and so on. There are many different types of toys, designed to serve different purposes: comfort toys, like stuffed animals, distraction toys, such as treat dispensers, chewing toys, interactive toys, tug toys etc.