Dog Equipment Basics: What You Need
If you’re a new dog owner, congratulations! It’s the most exciting time in pet ownership. Get ready for a long and lovely relationship. So what do you need to get to make sure your dog is as happy as you?
BEDDING
When looking for a bed for your furry best friend we recommend your bed meets the following criteria:
- Natural Materials
- Non-Skid Bottom
- Removable Cover
What style of bed is best? Let your dog tell you! Their sleeping style will cue you in:
- Donut-Shaped or Nest-Style Beds. Ideal for dogs who love to curl up tight when they fall asleep.
- Cushion, Futon or Raised Beds. Ideal for dogs who prefer to sprawl or stretch out when they fall asleep.
COLLARS
What’s the right equipment? That largely depends upon your dog:
- Collar and ID Tag
- Leads
- Harnesses
Collars, leads are harnesses are subject to everyday wear and tear just like human clothing. There are both health and safety benefits to ensuring you update your dog’s walking gear on a regular basis.
BOWLS
You’ll want to put a bit of thought into the food and water bowls you choose for your dog. Here are some pros and cons of the 3 most commonly used materials:
- Plastic Bowls. If you notice your dog gnawing or chewing on the bowls, plastic isn’t your best choice, as he could potentially ingest bits of plastic.
- Ceramic Bowls. These heavy bowls are good if your dog tends to push its bowl around the floor while eating. But they’re porous, so you’ll have to clean them daily.
- Stainless Steel Bowls. Easy to clean and sanitize, and are very durable. Choose one with rubber coating on the bottom to prevent sliding.
GROOMING TOOLS
The following brushes are commonly used for grooming dogs:
- Bristle Brushes. Choose brushes with longer, more widely spaced bristles for dogs with longer coats.
- Wire-pin brushes. Best if your dog’s hair is long, curly, or particularly thick.
- Slicker brushes. These fine bristles are great for getting tangles out of your dog’s coat.
- De-shedder. A must have for any dog that sheds.
FLEA, TICK, WORM CONTROL
There are lots of effective pest controls but it’s a complicated issue. Your best and safest move is to get your vet’s input about keeping your dog parasite-free.
TOYS
These are some of the most popular types of dog toys:
- Food-Dispensing Toys. Kongs are great because they’re fun to play with and they dispense food. A double win!
- Tug Toys. Ropes and long stuffed animals are great for tug o’ war.
- Fetch toys. Frisbees and fetch balls should be made of soft plastic. Hard plastic may do dental damage.
- Chew toys. Great options for when your dog is home alone. But very hard chews can cause dental damage. Test a chew toy by banging it against your knee. If it hurts, it’s too hard for your dog’s mouth.