AD | Welcoming a furry friend into your house is an incredibly exciting time, if, a little daunting too! The responsibility of looking after another little life can feel overwhelming at time, but with plenty of preparation and research you’re sure to find it much easier to get off to a great start with your new best friend. Whether you’re rescuing a dog or picking up a puppy, there are a number of items that you’ll need to think about purchasing ahead of them coming into the home.
I’ve teamed up with the pet wellness experts, Broadreach Nature, to share 10 things every new dog owner will need.
1. A comfortable bed
It goes without saying one of the most important things you will need for your new pooch is a comfortable bed. You may want to do some research here, as different breeds will have different needs. For example, some dogs enjoy a place they can burrow and snuggle. It’s worth spending a bit more money on a quality bed that can withstand a little destruction and chewing (especially if you’re getting a puppy).
2. A healthy dog food
It’s important that when deciding what to feed your dog, that it will contain all of the essential vitamins and proteins needed and with no nasty additives. Broadreach Nature proudly make all of their grain-free dog food in the UK with the help of vets and nutrition experts. Make sure you check the meat/fish content and that the food you select will tick all of the boxes for you dog. Puppies need special puppy food for their more sensitive tums, and making sure they are receiving high quality, nutritional food is essential for their growth. Broadreach Nature’s multi-award winning Daily Digestion & Health Puppy Food uses 60% specially selected fish!
3. A safe space
It’s up to you as the owner whether you will decide to crate train your dog but if done correctly it can provide a safe space for your dog and act as a ‘den’ for when they want to retreat for a little peace and quiet. You have to do what is right for your dog, as no two dogs needs are the same but creating a safe space will ease your new pet into their home and help them to feel reassured.
4. Plenty of (healthy!) treats
Whether you’re adopting an adult dog or bringing home a puppy, it’s more than likely that training will be required! Many dogs are food orientated and more likely to learn with the help of a few tasty treats. Again, look for treats with natural ingredients and avoid any colourful treats you might see in the pet shops, they look nice but in reality, they’re full of additives. It’s like giving your dog a McDonalds!
5. Stimulating toys
Stimulation is incredibly important from the early puppy days right up to senior life. Look into toys that make your dog’s work such as a Kong. With the Kong toys you can hide treats inside and make them work for a reward. Note that supervision is always required when your dogs are playing with chews and toys.
6. Calming support
It can be nerve-wracking when you bring a new life into your home, and your new dog will feel exactly the same. While some dog’s will quickly adapt and settle into their new life, others will require extra support and reassurance which is also very normal whilst a dog adjusts to a big lifestyle change. If you’re bringing home a dog, particularly a rescue, you may want to consider a natural calming supplement for dogs in order to provide additional reassurance. A Calming Room Spray or Calming Chews can really help to support your dog.
7. A suitable lead
When it comes to walking your dog, you want to ensure this is as stress-free as possible and that includes your choice of lead. It’s worth researching your breed and what type of collar and lead will work best. For example, sighthounds such as whippets and greyhounds require a different collar to a dog such as a Labrador. You may also find that you prefer to use a harness as opposed to a traditional collar/lead combination. Find what works for you.
8. Sturdy water bowls
It’s vital that your dog always have access to fresh drinking water, and to ensure this is possible then we would recommend a sturdy drinking bowl to avoid any spillages. The last thing you would want is to return home to find the drinking bowl has been knocked over. Look into a ceramic bowl or a stand for your bowls.
9. Grooming supplies
Even short-haired dogs need to be regularly groomed. Make sure you purchase a grooming brush or mitt for when your dog comes home. You may also want to think about purchasing a dog shampoo, especially if your pup has come from kennels. As well as these, ear wash and a facial cleanser for tear stains are great additions to your grooming kit. This grooming duo pack from Broadreach Nature is designed to keep your pet looking and feeling great.
10. Old towels
Having some old towels is a great idea for when you bring your pup into the home. If you’re worried about muddy paws on your furniture, they’ll most definitely help, although you should definitely expect muddy paw marks around the house, they’re only dogs after all!
Getting a dog is an exciting time, and although sometimes it may feel stressful, it’s just a matter of providing your dog with the love, care and attention it needs in order to flourish. Should you require any advice requiring health supplements, the Broadreach Nature team are happy to help and advice. You can contact them here.
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I don’t have a pet but myself and my partner really want a dog when we move out, so this list is helpful for when that time comes xx
Oh my goodness! I am so desperate to get a dog so I am pretty sure I shouldn’t have read this email.
I am so broody for a puppy!
Great advice though, there is so much to think about in terms of getting a dog, Its a big commitment and not as simple as just going out and buying a dog x
Such a great post for new dog owners! I can’t wait to have the chance to get a puppy or adopt one when the time comes xx
Glad to see we have all of the things on your list. It is especially hard to find natural and safe food for our pets in the US, so I agree with checking with your Vet to see what they recommend. Hopefully, your pet foods are safer in the UK.
These are great tips to prepare us for receiving a new dog! Thanks for sharing.
We have the best of both worlds, farm dogs who make great friends and companions but who live in kennels, so not much chance of mud all over the house.
This is a valuable checklist for those wanting to get a dog or people who have just got a dog, full of great advice! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Old towels!! We are forever saving old towels and blankets for our pooch but it’s not something I would have really thought about before getting a dog!
Grace xx
https://www.gracebee.co.uk/
Great checklist! I definitely want to get a dog at some point in my life, although definitely not ready to have one yet. I only rent at the moment so I have been sticking with the smaller pets, but once I do have my own house I will be reading lots of things like this so I’m prepared! Thank you for sharing xx
Toys, toys, toys so important!
They need to have a way to release all that pent up energy. It’s either toys or your favorite pair of shoes.
Great post!
Karen | Pet Blogger
A great post for dog lovers and people who are interested in buying a pup!! I’m going to look up that brand of dog food and see if it’s sold in Canada! My collie has such a sensitive tummy!
I’d love to have a dog so hopefully one day in the future I’ll have one – this is such a useful post. Thank you for sharing!
Tash
I cannot wait for the day we can get a dog. Great list, I’m going to have to bookmark it!
Calming room spray and relaxing areas are such a good shout!
I’m looking to own a german soon and definitely need to put these into consideration haha. Thank you for sharing them!
We’re cat people rather than dogs but these are great tips for any new dog owner. Many of them are applicable to cats as well, I think. Thank you for sharing, Kayleigh! x
These are some wonderful tips for new dog owners, they are all valuable and will help over time. The right dog food makes a difference
Yes to old towels! We also keep old blankets for my dog, Clover, though she does love to sleep in a big bed of straw. 🙂
Definitely agree with your list! I’ve had a dog since I was 10 years old and we’ve had all of these ever since. Grain-free food is so important, we feed our dogs Wellness CORE as they’re naturally hypoallergenic too, which is better for our oldest dog, as his tummy gets easily upset. One to definitely add to your list in the food section is dental care chews too. More than 80% of adult dogs suffer from bad dental health, which can lead to more serious problems as they get older too. One dental chew a day could prevent so many problems!
This is a great basic checklist for new dog owners, regardless of what age of dog they are bringing into the home. You hit the nail on the head with the importance of finding the ‘right’ leash and collar/harness combination for each individual dog. We have 2 different dogs in our house and use a different style of harness for each of them because that’s what works best.
Good post! Also, I always recommend trying to get a check up and finding out if your pet needs special medication. My dog has epilepsy and needs special medication to prevent any seizures. We don’t want anything happening to him at all, especially if we are out of the house.
Love this! I remember when we brought home my dogs for the first time. It’s so exciting! And I’m so looking forward to having a dog of my own one day when my house and lifestyle make it possible, I can’t wait!
You’ve made me want a dog even more – all we would need to buy right now is the dog food and treats! One thing I’ve always recommended to first-time puppy owners is a loudly ticking clock that you can wrap in blankets and put near puppy’s bed. During the night, if it’s muffled, it can remind the puppy of its mother’s heart beating and can act to calm the pup!
These are all so important!!! Thank you for sharing 🙂