Owning a dog is a huge responsibility — but it’s also the highlight of many people’s lives! Half of Americans report owning a dog, which is up from years past. If you’ve recently added a furry friend to your family, you’ll need to stock up on the essentials. We’ve put together this guide for new owners to use, ensuring you get all the right supplies on your journey as a dog owner! From deciding what to put on dog tags to the proper type of food for your pet, we’ll cover it all. ESSENTIALS AT-A-GLANCE HEALTH & SAFETY Your dog’s health and safety should be your number one priority as a new dog owner. Even though it’s tempting to get caught up in all the toys, beds, treats and countless other activities — which we’ll talk about in a second — how well your pup is doing is always the most important part of dog ownership. There are many components to a dog’s health and safety that you should keep in mind when putting together all your necessary supplies for bringing your new pup home. Food Dishes Food dishes are essential when bringing a pet home for the first time. You should also consider whether or not you’re going to add a raiser to their eating area. For senior dogs, dogs who have health issues or even dogs who simply like to make a mess when they eat, a raiser for their food dishes could come in handy. There are many different types of food dishes out there, including plastic, ceramic and even stainless steel. Some of our dog collar and leash sets include a collapsible silicone water bowl for those long walks during the day! Dog Tag Dog tags are very important when it’s your first time owning a dog. Dog tags are a great way for you to put a lot of important health and safety information all on a small surface area. Names, contact information, microchip status, health concerns and more can all go on a dog’s tag. For some dog owners, having a tag on their dog is the difference between life and death. Without a dog tag, runaway dogs are less likely to be returned to their owners. Luckily, our Traq dog tag Tile for pets is the first trackable dog tag that’s perfect for all dog owners. You can track your dog using Bluetooth technology as long as they’re within range. Perfect for new and seasoned dog owners alike! Collar If you’re putting a tag on your dog, then a collar is an absolute must! How else will you attach the tag to your dog? A dog’s collar should ideally contain a break-away feature. This can save your dog’s life, especially if you’ve adopted a puppy. Dogs are naturally curious, so they’re constantly going after things to try and figure out what it is or even eat it! This can put them in some tough spots, and they can even experience a dangerous situation when at home or playing with other dogs. They might find themselves caught on a door knob or even in another dog’s claws. A collar that features an easy-release switch can prevent serious injury or even death of your pup. Leash If you live in the country, you might not think your dog needs a leash. However, a big consideration you’ll need to make are hazards and training. Is the dog you’re bringing home a puppy with no experience or a senior dog who’s gone to puppy school? Even the most senior of dogs can still need a leash. This can help to prevent them from wandering too far or pull them back from other dogs and even people. For puppies or dogs in training, a leash is a great tool to train with. It helps to reinforce learned behaviors. Plus, it can be a signal to your dog that you’re about to take them for a walk. Some dogs will even bring their leash over to their owners as a way to request a walk or going outside! Diet-Friendly Food No dog is made alike, even dogs of the same breed. Many dogs will need specific diets to ensure they stay healthy. Some develop medical conditions that require special food too. Consulting with a vet about the best foods for your dog is an absolute must to ensure their health and safety. For some dog owners, this means spending money on prescription food. For many, it means avoiding any of the foods linked to canine heart disease. Diet-friendly food approved and supervised by a vet is always the best way to go when deciding what to feed your new dog. Of course, the nutritional needs of a puppy will be different from an adult dog, so you should always make sure you’re confirming with a vet about when to make the switch from puppy chow to regular dog kibble. Grooming Supplies A well-groomed dog has many benefits. Their skin and coat will be much healthier, which can help fight off bacterial diseases and skin conditions. If you’re unable to commit to brushing your dog once a day, a good brush once a week is okay. Consider also giving them a bath every couple of weeks or at least once a month. While dogs do groom themselves, there’s nothing better at ensuring their skin stays healthy than getting a good bath. Some pet owners take their dogs to a professional groomer for bathing and routine care, while others opt to do it themselves. You never know when you might need to give your dog a bath yourself — for example, after a particularly nasty rain storm and your pup thinks it’s acceptable to roll around in a mud puddle while out on a walk — so stocking up on quality grooming supplies is essential to their well-being — and your sanity! Get Silicone Dog Tags for Your Pups! Flea/Tick medicine Since dogs spend so much time outside, they’ll need flea and/or tick medicine applied to them every month. This will ensure that they stay disease-free and prevent them from bringing fleas and ticks into your home. Your dog will probably have been treated prior to you bringing them home, but it’s a treatment you should keep up long after they come to your care. Consider setting up a recurring order of the flea medicine or having it filled through your vet so that your pup can stay on a schedule and never miss a dose. One of the biggest essentials to your dog’s health and safety is establishing a health plan with a vet. Vets are specially trained doctors of animals who can ensure that your dog stays happy and healthy all the days of their life with you. While it might seem like an added expense, owning a dog is a lot like having a child — you need to ensure they stay safe and healthy, and going to the dog doctor is part of that! Purchasing a monthly plan through your vet will ensure that your pup gets all the care they need, and maybe even some discounts on products or prescriptions. A good vet will ensure that your dog is healthy and address specific needs and concerns with you. Without taking your dog to a vet, you can miss out on potentially lethal diseases and conditions that will shorten the lifespan of your precious pup. PLAY/COMFORT Part of owning a dog is all the fun you can get up to with them. There are definitely some items you’ll want to get to ensure that they have loads of fun living with you and experience the height of luxury in your home. Here are some of the essentials: Dental Toys This one can definitely go in the first section, but toys are all about play. Getting dental toys are just a specific type of dog toy that has an added benefit — they strengthen your dog’s teeth. There’s been some evidence to show that giving a dog bones to chew on does more harm than good, so dental toys are a great alternative to bones. They’ll have better breath and stronger teeth, and they’ll get to play with the toys whenever they want. You can get toys for them to play with alone, or you can get toys that require multiple dogs or even a human hand for maximum fun. Dog Bed A dog needs a cozy space to lounge in after a long day. There are lots of dog beds out there, and it might take a couple to really find one that your dog likes best — pro tip: your dog will probably like your bed the best! However, when it comes to dog beds, err on the side of caution and get a bed a size up from your dog’s size. Many dogs like to spread out while they sleep, which means they’ll want a bed that’s wide enough their feet won’t hang off the side. Plus, if you have multiple dogs, many of them like to sleep together or share the space. A small dog bed can cause fights and tension — which no one wants! Treats As a dog owner, you should always have treats on hand. Just like with dog food, you’ll want to make sure that your pups have quality treats that don’t harm them. Certain treats are made with poor chemicals that can potentially cause health issues in your pets. Talk with your vet about what treats they recommend for your dog or if your dog will need any specialized treats. A good alternative is to use their dog kibble as a treat. Since they’ll be getting their kibble outside of their normal feeding time, it’s considered a treat. The best part? You already know they like it! Stain Remover Let’s face it — dogs leave stains. Whether they’re in need of a routine anal gland expression or they’re currently potty training, having some stain remover on hand is just as much for your comfort as it is theirs. The stain remover will ideally neutralize odors as well, which could cause territory problems with other dogs or pets in the home if left untreated. Many stain removers are more compatible with fabrics today than in days past, which is great news for homeowners. A stain remover is one of the ways to clean your furniture and home decor without having to pay for specialized cleaning treatments or washing items after every stain. Simply spray the stain with the remover, let it sit for a few minutes, and then dab the stain away with a cloth. Typically, this will really help to ensure that you come out with a spotless piece of furniture or decor. Dog Crate A dog crate can double as a playpen for your dog when needed. Some view the dog crate as a safety need, but it can also be a place of comfort for many dogs. Owners will typically put their dogs in their crates and place a blanket over it to keep their dogs from being overwhelmed by sights and sounds. It can act as a form of comfort for dogs and owners alike. You’ll find that having a dog crate for your dog to have to calm down or retreat to when they feel overwhelmed or scared can make a big impact on their behavior. Clothes and Paw Covers Along with silicone pet tags and other accessories, clothes and paw covers can double as anxiety-reducing items during fireworks, loud noises or any other situation. They can prevent your dog from licking themselves in anxiety, or they can also prevent them from burning their paws while out on a walk during a hot summer day. Clothes and paw covers look great, but they also do double duty in ensuring that your pet is comfortable during the day. Image Credits New Africa/Shutterstock.com Przemek Iciak/Shutterstock.com MPH Photos/Shutterstock.com ArtdayAnna/Shutterstock.com Masarik/Shutterstock.com