If you’re going to be getting a new dog or puppy, get prepared with this list of what to get for a new dog. Lots of ideas of must-have items to buy and what to look for when purchasing them to keep your new pet safe, healthy, and happy!
May is national pet month, so I couldn’t let it pass without some kind of post for all of those fur babies out there! I’m happy to be partnering with Swiffer to provide you with some quick and easy ways to clean up after your pets. Cleaning struggles are never a barrier for pet adoption. We are huge pet lovers around here and couldn’t imagine life without our three dogs,Blue, Sammy, and Oreo. {And, of course, our cat, Abby!}
I know how quickly pets become part of the family, and we treat them just like our little babies! While love and attention are always at the top of the list for what pets need, there are some other items that will help to keep your pets safe, healthy and happy. I’ve put together our favorite, most well-used pet care items to help you get started on your own fur family! If you have any other favorites, I’d love to hear what they are.
What To Buy for a New Dog or Puppy
If you’re thinking of getting a new puppy or adopting an adult dog {or even just looking for some fun goodies for your current fur babies!}, I’ve put together some of our must-have dog items that you should invest in.
Collar and Tag
Your dog should always wear a collar and pet ID tag for easy identification. You just never know when they might get loose, and a tag with your contact information is the quickest and easiest way to get a lost pet home. Make sure that the collar is tight enough that it won’t slip over their head but loose enough that you can get a couple of fingers underneath it. You probably don’t want to spend too much money on a collar for your puppy as they will likely outgrow them quickly, but you may want to spend a bit more once they’re full size to get a durable, easy-to-clean option. Custom collars are a fun way to dress up your dog and there are lots of cute options in pet stores and on Etsy. You can find engraveable pet tags at many pet supply chains or you can get the information custom engraved directly onto the metal clasp of the collar itself so you don’t have to listen to the jingle of a tag.
Leash and Harness
The main purpose of the leash is to keep your dog safe and under control in any outdoor or public spaces. When you’re first starting with your dog, look for a 4-6 foot standard leash. This will give you the most control for training purposes. You can always consider a longer or retractable leash once your dog is older and better trained. Generally, the thicker the leash, the stronger it will hold up, so choose the right thickness for the size and strength of your dog {and remember that those puppies will grow quickly!}
A harness is another item to look at when purchasing your leash. We’ve always used a harness on our big golden doodle because he is SO strong and was always pulling at his leash. The harness gave us a lot better control with him and was a lot easier on my body when taking him out for walks. I never really thought about using a harness on our little dogs though, until our vet recommended it. Smaller dogs are more prone to neck and trachea injuries from a leash and collar. The harness takes the pressure off the small area of their neck to a broader area on their back and body.
Dog Bed and/or Crate
Many people choose to use a kennel for their dog – at least while their dog is being house broken. A dog crate can also be a convenient way to contain your dog for short periods of time if you’re going out. Durable plastic crates are great for cleaning while wire crates allow a full view if your pup doesn’t like to be closed off. You can always cover them with a towel at night to signal that it’s time for sleep. Your crate should be just large enough that your dog can stand up and easily turn around. If your dog is going to grow a lot more, you can look at getting an oversized crate with an adjustable divider panel so that you can slowly expand the room as your dog gets bigger. Add a dog bed or cushioned pad to the crate so it’s more cozy.
Having a couple of extra dog beds around the house is also a good idea. Not only does it provide your dog a comfortable spot to relax, but it also helps to contain their dirt and hair. Train your dog when he’s young to go to his bed. It will likely become one of his favorite places! We keep our dogs’ beds close to areas that we relax in {by the sofa and by our computer desk} so they can still be part of the family.
Cleaning Supplies
As awesome and loveable as pets are, we all know that #ShedHappens! Despite the messes that pets can make, you never want the worry of cleaning to be an obstacle to adoption. You just need to be prepared! With a house full of pets, I’ve found a lot of little hacks to keep things {relatively!} clean on a daily basis. You can check out my posts on how to keep your home clean with dogs and other pet cleaning tips, for all of my tips and tricks.
Over the years, Swiffer has been a huge help in keeping our home clean from all of the dirt, muddy paw prints, and pet hair that magically seems to appear every day. A good carpet cleaner and this DIY upholstery and carpet refresher are also helpful – especially in those puppy training days! I also recommend that you keep a spray bottle of water and a good microfiber pet cloth by your front door to wipe down those paws as they come in from outside. It may take your dog a few days to get used to it, but they’ll quickly learn that it’s just part of the process of coming inside. Give them a few extra cuddles while you’re doing it, and they might actually enjoy it!
Cleaning with Swiffer
We use our Swiffer Sweeper, Swiffer Wet Jet and the Swiffer Sweep ‘n Vac daily around here for our quick little clean-ups. They’re just so much lighter and easier to pull out than our big vacuum and super simple for our kids to use. I always focus on our entry ways, high traffic areas ,and our pets’ favorite sleeping areas for our daily cleaning. This 5-10 minutes really helps contain the hair and dirt and cuts down on cleaning time in the rest of the house. I usually just use the Sweeper but will pull out the Sweep ‘n Vac if there is a lot of dirt or other larger particles, and use the Wet Jet to spot clean any muddy prints or drool puddles. Oreo loves to chase the Swiffer around while we’re using it, so it gives her a good workout too!
The Swiffer dry cloths are used for both the Swffier Sweeper and the Sweep ‘n Vac, and have really deep ridges and grooves to trap and lock all of that dirt, dust, and hair. Just one sweep and it’s gone and you don’t have to worry about dust pans! The cloths can really last for a long time, so be sure to use them to their full potential and don’t go reaching for a new one until you really need it. Click HERE to learn more about how I prolong the life of my Swiffer cloths and learn more about how the pads actually work. You’ll notice when they’re not working as efficiently and can replace them at that point.
Variety of Pet Toys
Our dogs LOVE their toys, and they play with them just like kids! Toys provide your dog with mental stimulation, encourage active play, and help to fulfill his chewing needs {that’s not your shoes or sofa!}. Toys also reduce the risk or destructive or attention seeking behviours, and can help your dog relax. Our dog, Sammy, had been returned to the shelter THREE TIMES before we adopted him due to high anxiety and destructive behaviours. This made me more than a little nervous when I first brought him home, but he never once exhibited this behaviour at our house.
The hardest thing about toys is picking the right ones! There are literally thousands of pet toys on the market and it can be overwhelming to find ones that your dog enjoys. It’s a little bit of trial and error at first, so start with a variety of shapes, sizes, textures, and functions to determine what your pet likes best. Elk or deer antlers, Kong toys {both the squeaky toys and the chew toys}, and the crinkle stuffed toys, are favorites with all of our dogs. For safety, be sure to buy dog toys for the size and strength of your dog, and inspect toys regularly for any damage that can be a safety hazard for your dog.
We have two toy baskets at our house – a small one for the little dogs and a bigger one for Blue. It’s so funny to see them riffling through all of the toys looking for a specific one. The toy baskets are great for keeping the toy mess under control {as they are often spread around the house at the end of the day!}, and allow the dogs to know where they can always find something to play with. To keep your dogs more engaged in their toys, rotate them around and keep a couple of special toys that are just for playing with you. They’ll get so excited to play!
Variety of Pet Treats
The way to a dog’s heart is definitely through his stomach! Dog treats can be a great way to bond with your dog and are good for training purposes. Our dogs are really picky when it comes to their treats and they all seem to like something different. Blue will only have softer treats. Sammy loves the freeze-dried treats. And Oreo pretty much eats it all! Be sure to just buy a small amount of each treat until you see what your dog’s preference is, and don’t give them too many. {Even if they do look at you with the cutest little puppy dog eyes!}
Now all you have to do is enjoy your new puppy! And if you’re still looking for a new dog, please consider adopting from a local shelter. There are so many wonderful animals out there just waiting for a loving home! For more information on the full line-up of Swiffer products, check out the Swiffer website or visit them on Facebook.
You may also want to print out these free pet care printables to keep track of all of your pet’s information and health history. I hope they’re helpful!
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