It’s difficult to navigate the wide world of puppy essentials and honestly, where does one even start? You need not worry as My Furries is here to clear things up. So before you go overboard and spend six paychecks on puppy care, check out this short, sweet list of puppy prerequisites.
- Your Puppy Has an Address Now, So Give It Some ID: Your puppy can’t explore the outside world freely until adequately vaccinated. It is highly recommended to purchase a collar to carry the ID tag to list your address and telephone number. Ensure the collar fits your pup properly; the collar should not be so tight that it can pinch the skin, or so loose that it slips right off.
In the unlikely incident of your puppy wandering outside or getting lost, at least someone can find your puppy and contact you. Also, confer with your vet if you want to consider microchipping your puppy.
- Don’t Let Your Pup Run Away, Get a Harness: A harness is more comfortable for a puppy rather than a leash dragging it by its neck. The harness has to fit correctly, and you can buy three; a short one for going out on walks, a longer one for obedience training and one for the car. The harnesses should be durable and well-made, as one of low quality will be no match for an enthusiastic puppy.
- Your Pooch Needs to Mellow Out, So Get a Crate: If you aren’t yet comfortable with your puppy sleeping on your bed with you, get a crate. A crate is essentially an enclosed space for your pooch, and generally it can come in 4 different variants:
- Metal: Similar to a traditional cage, it can be heavy duty or wired.
- Soft-sided: Made out of soft mesh fabric and is very lightweight.
III. Plastic: Cheap but it will absorb odours.
- Decorative: Does not serve for much functionality, and it is mostly for aesthetics.
A crate is supposed to be your pup’s safe zone. Purchase a crate that is suited to your dog’s temperament. The crate should have adequate space for your puppy to stand up straight, turn around, stretch and lie down. A crate is for your puppy to unwind and can also be used for house training.
If you will buy a steel crate, make sure you fill it up with a few blankets and cover it with a dark cloth to mimic a den. Get a soft plush toy so that your puppy has a friend in its den. Depending on the dog’s size, you may also need to buy a pet carrier for travel.
- Sacrifice Toys Instead of Furniture: Your puppy is unfit to go out into the outside world until all the vaccinations have been done. So in that interim, invest in some toys, especially chew toys so that your puppy can spare your furniture and your shoes won’t have to be torn to shreds.
Be sure to stimulate your puppy’s active mind and set time aside to play with it every day.
- A Clean Pup Is a Healthy Pup: Depending on the breed of dog, the grooming requirements will vary and keep in mind that there is always the option to take your pup to a professional groomer. But every puppy will require:
- Dog toothbrush and toothpaste to maintain dental health.
- Unscented dog shampoo and conditioner. Scented soaps will irritate your dog, and they will roll around in the dirt to remove the smell.
- Ear and eye cleaning products.
- Dog brushes and nail clippers.
- Flea combs and tick treatments.
- Puppy pee pads for smaller homes and doggy bags for picking up excrement.
- The Way to a Dog’s Heart Is Through Its Stomach: Make sure to invest in some high-quality dog food for your pooch. Consult your breeder or your vet for choosing the right brand of dog food. Also, don’t be stingy. Give your pup some treats from time to time; they deserve it. And if you’re going to introduce a new brand of dog food to your puppy’s diet, make sure to do it gradually to avoid an upset tummy.
- Miscellaneous: If your puppy is especially prone to “accidents” and is still struggling to control their urination and defecation, then you can acquire some stain removers. If you want to protect your furniture or other items from getting chewed on, you can procure an anti-teething spray or make your own, by steeping some citrus peels in hot water.
But that’s not all it takes. My Furries believes that the only thing that will keep a puppy happy is its human, so remember to always be there for your furbaby and treat it with the love you expect to receive.
