5 Must-Have Puppy Products
Finding the perfect products for your puppy can be a blast — and there are plenty of them to choose from. Walk through any pet boutique, big-box retailer or department store, and you’ll see aisles of premium foods and treats, plush beds, toys of every shape and size, and even doggy haute couture. It will be tempting to splurge on your new dog. To begin with, however, pick up these items to make your pup’s homecoming a smooth one.
Collar & leash
Your puppy will need a collar and leash the day you bring her home. A collar — plain or fancy — holds your pup’s dog license and identification tag, which lists your name and phone number. The collar attaches to the leash, which you will need to walk your pup.
For your dog’s first few collars, pick up an adjustable nylon type with a two-piece buckle. The collar should fit snugly so it won’t slip off, but should not be too tight; you should be able to fit two fingers between the collar and the pup’s neck. As your pup gets older, you can expect to buy several collars as she outgrows them. The leash, which attaches to the collar, gives you control during walks or obedience training. The leash should be strong and well made, as should the hardware that links the leash to the collar. For your comfort, the leash should also have a loop that is easy to grip. Plan to use a shorter 4-foot leash with your puppy at first; when you enroll in obedience training, you’ll use longer leashes.
Dog bed
The first night your puppy comes home, she’ll need a comfy bed to lay her head. While you’re housetraining her, you will have her sleep in his crate or kennel. Smaller beds and bumper beds covered in fleece or sheepskin are designed just for this purpose. They keep the dog warm and cozy while she’s dozing away.
After your puppy is housetrained and graduates from her crate to a real dog bed, you can choose from a wide range of pillows, cushions, dog-sized couches, and even memory-foam mattresses — all of which can be matched to your home’s décor. If environmental sustainability is important to you, you can find beds that come stuffed with recycled materials, like repurposed cotton or soda bottles. You can also find beds stuffed with cedar chips for odor and insect control. Most beds have removable, washable covers. Select a small- to medium-sized bed that makes her feel cozy and secure. If your pup tends to chew on her bedding and ingest some of the foam or stuffing, remove it from her crate or take it away from her to prevent possible intestinal blockage. Offer her a blanket or towel to sleep on until she gets over her chewing phase.
Food, treats
She may be small, but your pup will have a big appetite and big calorie demands to give her body the energy to develop healthy bones, organs, skin, and coat. As a result, for the first 12 months of your pup’s life, you will feed her a diet created just for her demanding energy and nutritional needs.
These special diets are referred to as diets that are formulated for puppies or for “growth and development.” Food makers understand that puppies have specific needs, so they incorporate those nutritional requirements — the right blend of protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals — into their special puppy blends. Veterinary nutritionists note that puppies must have these specific ingredients in their diets to develop into healthy adults. If you’re not sure about which diet to feed your puppy, talk to your veterinarian, breeder or knowledgeable pet store associate.
Dog Shampoo
Not people shampoo but dog shampoo. People shampoo is PH balanced for people and not for dogs and it can dry out and damage your dog’s skin. The resulting itchiness can cause scratching and irritation and set the stage for bacterial infections. So wash that muddy puppy but use the right shampoo.
Toys
Whether a stuffed lion, a squeaky octopus, or a treat-dispensing toy, puppies adore their playthings. Toys can be categorized into chew toys that satisfy the need to gnaw, like hard-rubber toys; plush toys, like stuffed animals, that provide comfort to dogs; fetching toys, like balls and flying discs; rope and tug toys, which help to floss teeth while the pup plays; and critical thinking toys, like treat-dispensing devices, that release goodies when the pup performs a certain task.
Despite all the toy choices at your local pet store, you should only offer your puppy strong, durable, well-made toys that are sized appropriately for him. If your puppy does destroy a toy (and he probably will!), remove the damaged toy immediately. Exposed squeakers can be dangerous, as are stuffing, frayed rope toy strands, and small torn-off pieces that can be ingested.
Purchase these products before your puppy comes home and set them up in advance — mostly because you’ll be too busy playing with him! With these items in hand, you’ll be well-prepared to welcome your puppy to his new forever home.
