When it comes to adopting a dog for the first time, we understand the confusion, feeling lost, and overwhelmed by the tools and dog supplies in the market. We say—it’s pretty much like being an alien platform where you don’t know what to buy or what not to!

To solve your problem, we have simplified this game for you. This is an informational guide to everything you need for your dog to give them the best lifestyle possible.

50 Essentials For New Dog Owners That Are Must-Haves!

Essential dog supplies do not limit to dog food or leashes. Dogs have different needs for different categories to which a responsible parent should pay attention. 

We have covered all the essential areas you need dog supplies for to make it super-easy for you!

a. Grooming essentials

Every dog needs grooming sessions as per their requirements. Dogs with thicker coats need more attention than the ones with soft and short fur. But grooming and cleaning always benefit a dog’s well-being and health, so here are the dog supplies you should consider for your dog:

1. Grooming apron

Even though you might be heroes for your pooch, while grooming, you cannot hold them in one hand and find stuff around the house from the other. Instead, getting a grooming apron where you can keep all the tools in your pockets will make your task easier.

2. Grooming scissors

Furry dogs can get their hair dropping down on their face, eyes, ears, paws, and even mouths. Grooming scissors help chop and trim the hair around the face, tail, and paws.

3. Grooming gloves

The best way to massage your furry buddies is by using grooming gloves. They have rubberized bristles that provide gentle massaging and can even help you in other tasks like hair removal.

4. Grooming brush and de-shedding tool

Never make the mistake of grooming your dog’s coat with a human brush. Dogs have sensitive skin and different fur types, so choose a brush that suits your dog. You can look for de-shedding combs and tools if your dog sheds a lot so they don’t make a mess in your home!

5. Dog toothpaste and toothbrush

Human toothpaste can have ingredients that are considered harmful to dogs. This is why they should always use dog-friendly toothpaste and a toothbrush that is not harsh on their gums and teeth.

6. Nail trimmer

If you want to avoid being scratched by your dog’s long crusty nails, get yourself a nail trimmer. Using dog nail trimmers to trim the paw nails will prevent your dog from discomfort and health problems from nail dirt.

7. Wipes

As a pet owner, wipes should be your and your dog’s best friend! Be it cleaning their face, dirt, ear wax, or eye boogers, wipes help you with everything all day.

8. Deodorants

When taking your dog to a party to meet friends and family, you can get a dog-friendly mist or deodorant instead of using human deodorants and perfumes on dogs. After all, even they want to look good. Who knows? They might get a date!

9. Ear cleaners

Dogs with floppy and droopy ears are prone to ear infections. It is recommended to clean their ear wax build-up with ear cleaners or cotton ear buds to prevent infections and diseases.

10. Dental chews

Dental chews are one of the most effective ways to eliminate plaque and foul mouth odor. They can be super fun and time-consuming for dogs while bringing the cleanest version out of them!

b. Training essentials

Your dog never gets trained alone because, with them, you get trained too! Training requires a lot of consistency, patience, and productive tools. Tools can help you to make everyday training sessions fun and less challenging. 

Look at the list of training essentials for you and your dog:

11. Collars, harnesses and leashes

While taking your dog on a walk or training, always ensure you have a leash or a collar. You can end the debate of “Which is better—a leash or a collar” by checking what your dog is comfortable with. Rest, remember to carry an extra leash just in case things don’t go as planned.

12. Dog treats and chew dog toys

If you know about positive reinforcement by now, you must understand that the main component is dog treats! Treats and pats are the only ways to motivate your dog to exercise or learn obedience. 

Moreover, dog toys such as small chew toys are also great for their dental and mental health as it keeps them busy.

You should always have a pouch of dog treats when they listen to your commands and follow instructions!

13. Poop scoopers and bags

Imagine if your dog poops at your neighbor’s door? If you want to save yourself from a nightmare—you scoop that up and put it in a waste bag. This is why you should always carry poop scoopers and bags on the go.

14. Play bone

Bored dogs can get destructive. And we understand how you cannot spend 24 hours playing and hopping around with them, so you can gift your pooch a play bone they can wrestle with (not literally). 

It should be made of safe material, and they can spend hours enjoying and chewing on it.

15. Waterproof jackets and boots

When going out for a trip or a long trek, carry waterproof jackets and boots just in case it rains. Some dogs can be sensitive to weather changes, and well! Rain might not be their favorite way to spend time outdoors.

16. Life jacket

Life jackets should be necessary if you take your dog on an adventure or rafting trip! Only take your dog in deep water with a life jacket. Not all dogs are swimmers.

17. Clicker

One of the best ways to train your dog commands and instructions is to use clickers. Dogs learn better when they hear sounds attached to their commands, like sit, walk, run, etc.

18. Target stick

These sticks help to guide your dog to follow directions and targets. You can use it to point out an object or a place and command them to follow the directions.

19. Potty training tools

If you own a puppy, potty-training tools will be a blessing for you and your pooch! Potty training pads train your dog indoors and outdoors. They are readily available and should be considered before getting a dog.

20. Bitter sprays

If your pooch has a habit of licking and biting your furniture, you can buy bitter sprays. As the name suggests, if sprayed on items, it will taste bitter to your dog and prevent them from repeating it. They are not toxic and can help you with obedience training as well.

c. Medical and health essentials

Your dog might hate medical treatments and vets, but as a responsible parent, you should ensure every medical necessity is at arm’s reach. To do so, here are the medical essentials for your dog:

21. First aid kit

One of the essential things while considering the Medicare health of your dog is always to have a first kit around—one at home, one in your car, or even one in your bag. Hyperactive dogs often hit random things around the house, so having a kit with all their essentials is good.

22. Flea and ticks preventative

Some products can help eliminate the bacteria like fleas and ticks that are highly common in dogs. As a responsible pet owner, you should have preventatives at home as they can occur anytime and cause discomfort to dogs if not cured.

23. Vaccinations

Consult your veterinarian about the required vaccinations to keep your dog and people around you safe. These vaccinations are essential for the long healthy life of dogs.

24. Hydrogen peroxide

Dogs can often ingest things that they are not allowed to. Be it apple seeds in high amounts, avocado pits, or dog toys, it can cause hazardous situations. This is why, Hydrogen Peroxide can be used to induce vomiting after you consult with your veterinarian.

25. Thermometer

A thermometer is recommended if your dog is sick; you can check their temperature and consult your veterinarian. You can use regular or digital thermometers; any will work.

26. Sterile saline solution

It is a routine for doggos to get some wounds now and then. Hence, sterile saline solutions can be sued to clean wounds or flush eyes under the guidance of a professional or a veterinarian.

27. Bandage wraps

Cuts and minor wounds are common for dogs, so you should keep a pack of bandage wraps. This way, you can do first aid before you go to your vet in an emergency.

28. Toe grips

Are you planning to go on a trek with your dog? Some areas can be slippery, and to avoid your dog slipping off, you should use toe grips as this keeps the friction with the ground and avoids slipping.

29. Styptic powder

One of the most effective ways to stop the wounds from bleeding is to use Styptic powder. This can not only be used on dogs but other animals. However, it can rarely cause allergic reactions, so it is best to confirm with your vet beforehand.

30. Ointment and pain relievers

Other essentials to carry in the first aid kit are ointments and painkillers. Please do not give your dog human pain relievers, as they can be deadly to dogs. Your veterinarian can provide you with ointment and prescribe painkillers for your dog.

d. Diet essentials

Dogs love to eat treats and nutritious meals! To make their diet pleasing and healthy at the same time, you add these essentials to your cart.

31. Dog food

Besides human food items that are amazing for your dog’s health, they also need food packed with nutrients, fats, and proteins to keep your dog healthy, fit, and shiny.

32. Water and food bowls

For your dog’s next birthday, you can gift them a bowl set! A bowl for water, food, and snacks. 

Pro tip: They’ll love to see their favorite Superman hero’s picture printed on those bowls.

33. Air-tight containers

You can store your dog’s food in air-tight containers to keep it lasting for long. This will also benefit you if and when you travel with your dog. You can easily fit in the containers because you cannot carry a whole food pack.

34. Measuring scoops and cups

You can use measuring cups and spoons to ensure the right ingredients are in your meals. This is helpful as sometimes the proportions of ingredients can get out of hand if incorrectly measured.

35. Supplements

After consulting with your veterinarian, you can give your dog supplements for extra minerals and vitamins. Also, it is essential to know that supplements should not be a substitute for their primary meals.

36. Weighing machine

Dogs can very easily lose and gain weight. As a responsible pet owner, you should occasionally check your dog’s weight. For that, you can bring a weighing machine at home.

37. Portion control containers

If your dog is on a diet, this is a perfect tool! With the help of portion control containers, you can make a balanced diet by measuring the food accurately. This will help your dog to achieve their ideal weight.

38. Feeding stand

Tiny dogs often struggle with food on the table where their paws can’t reach. To make them independent, you can purchase feeding long stands so they can easily sneak dog treats from the table. 

39. Disposable food trays

We understand you and your dog are full-time travelers, and we also understand the struggle behind carrying bowls, dog treats, clothes, and whatnot on your back!

To take some of your burden away, you can use disposable food trays that will not add to the weight!

40. Feeding syringe

For the days when your doggo is sick, your veterinarian shall prescribe you the medicines. As dogs HATE medications and may show tantrums, you can use a feeding syringe to help them gulp it down.

e. Others

Apart from your dog’s grooming, training, medical, and nutritional needs, you should also look at these essentials to make your and your dog’s life easier!

41. Pet identification tags

If you are shifting to a new place where your neighbors are unaware of this furry personality, you can get pet identification tags. 

So if your pooch decides to take a walk alone but gets lost, anyone can bring it back to you with the help of information on your ID card.

42. Dog bed

If your dog sheds a lot and you don’t like the hair mess on your bed, you can bring in a dog bed where your furry friend can sleep comfortably with their dog toys.

43. Insect repellent

Before taking your dog to a park, use insect repellents, as dogs can easily catch bacteria like fleas and ticks. So to prevent that, you should cover them in repellents.

44. Pet camera

Ever wonder what your dog does when you are asleep? Well, you can put up a camera to record all their activity around the house. Also, it will help you monitor any unusual activity in your dog.

45. Calming products

Just like us, dogs love some self-care and love too. And what’s better than scented candles and diffusers? Just make sure that they’re pet-friendly and then you’re good to go!

46. GPS tracker

Dog walkers—amateur or professional, should use a GPS tracker on their dog’s collars. This is a great way to ensure that your pet can find their way home if they ever get lost. You can simply track their movements through the collar and easily find them anywhere. 

47. Sunscreen

While dogs love playing under the sun, there’s a misconception that they’re safe from it. In fact, dogs can be quite sensitive to UV rays which can affect their skin and cause diseases or illnesses. But you don’t need to worry as there are plenty of pet-friendly sunscreens in the market. 

48. Cable covers

With the amount of energy that dogs have, it can become quite a task to tire them out. Sometimes, dogs vent that energy by chewing on things—socks, shoes, furniture, or even cords! To ensure that your cords stay safe from your dog, you can opt for cord covers. 

49. Pet friendly plants

Contrary to popular belief, dogs are allergic to a lot of plants. Many of your indoor plants might even cause your dog to fall sick or become weak. What you can do is research about the type of pet-friendly plants that your dog can be comfortable with and then get that. 

50. Pooch booties

Pooch booties have another purpose besides making your dog look fashionable. They prevent the dog from slipping over cold pavements and protect their paws from the cold and frostbite. This is definitely a must-have when it comes to supplies.

Finally, as a pet parent, besides all these supplies, it’s crucial to keep the vet’s contact details on you for all emergencies. You can also maintain a pet journal to keep track of daily activities, nutrition, vet appointments, etc. Having all these supplies on hand can definitely ensure your dog’s overall health and happiness.

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