Vet-Approved Essentials Every New Dog Owner Needs
You just got a dog? Congrats! đ Youâre about to enter a world of unconditional love, unexplainable zoomies, and more fur in your mouth than you’d like to admit. But before you start Googling âhow to stop my dog from eating my couch,â letâs talk essentials.
Not the cute Instagram outfits. Not the pumpkin-spice pupuccinos.
Weâre talking vet-approved, actually-useful, âyouâll thank me laterâ essentials.
Letâs break it down, friend.
1. A Proper Crate (aka Their Cozy Little Den)
- Versatile Dog Crate for All Stages: From playful puppies to adult dogs, this dog crate with divider adapts to every stag…
- Portable & Collapsible Dog Crate: With its convenient buckle setup and a detachable handle, this 107 cm dog crate can be…
- Spacious Haven for Medium-Sized to Large Dogs: Tailored flawlessly for medium-sized to large dogs, this 42-inch pet cage…
Yes, a crate. Not a cage. Not a jail. Think of it as their studio apartment, but rent-free.
Dogs need a space thatâs theirs. A crate gives them that. It’s where they go to chill, sleep, and pretend theyâre not plotting to chew your shoes.
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- Size matters. Big enough for them to stand, turn around, and lie down. Not a dog mansion.
- Wire or plastic? Wire is breathable and open. Plastic is cozier and travel-friendly. Choose your fighter.
- Double-door? Bonus points for flexibility in room placement.
Pro tip: Get one with a divider if youâve got a puppy. It âgrowsâ with them like magic.
Why vets love it: It helps with house-training, reduces anxiety, and prevents them from turning your apartment into a war zone while you’re at work.
2. High-Quality Food (No, Grocery Store Kibble Doesnât Count)
Okay, listen. Your dog deserves better than whatever was on sale at aisle 7.
Just like you wouldnât eat dry ramen every day (right?), your pup needs nutrient-rich, vet-approved food.
What to check:
- Meat as the first ingredient. If it starts with “cornmeal,” run.
- Avoid fillers. Soy, by-products, and artificial dyes? Hard pass.
- Tailored nutrition. Puppy? Senior? Sensitive stomach? Pick what fits.
IMO, brands like Royal Canin, Purina Pro Plan, and Hillâs Science Diet are solid. Your vet will probably agree.
Bonus tip: Donât change foods overnight. Transition slowly, or you’ll be Googling âdog explosive diarrheaâ at 2am. Trust me.
3. A Collar with ID Tag (Because They Will Try to Escape Eventually)
- Ultimate Durability: Our stainless steel dog tag withstands even the most active pet adventures, ensuring it outshines a…
- Crystal Clear Engraving: Laser engraved on a mirror-finish surface, offering high readability and ensuring your pet’s vi…
- Click Customize Now: Unleash your pet’s inner superstar and get creative with up to 8 lines of text- up to 4 lines on th…
Even the best-behaved pup has their âForrest Gumpâ moment. So unless you want to be that person running barefoot down the street yelling âBaxter!â, get a collar with an ID tag.
Must-haves:
- Name + your number. Duh.
- Microchip backup. Tag can fall off. Microchips donât.
- Comfy fit. You should be able to slip two fingers under it.
FYI: Harnesses are great for walking, but not for holding ID tags. Keep both handy.
4. A Leash That Doesnât Suck (Yes, Thereâs a Difference)
- More Durable, Much Safer: This heavy duty dog leash is made of 1/2-inch diameter rock climbing rope which is reinforced …
- Comfortable to Hold: Special foam padded handle design gives you a more comfortable grip than ever, protecting your hand…
- Reflective Function: When walking your dog at night, visibility is key to the safety of you and your dog. Reflective thr…
Repeat after me: Retractable leashes are not your friend.
Theyâre dangerous, unpredictable, and honestly? A trip hazard for everyone.
Go for:
- 4 to 6 feet long. Goldilocks zone: not too short, not too wild.
- Nylon or rope. Durable and weather-resistant.
- Padded handle. Your hands will thank you.
If you want next-level control, get a double-handle leash or a traffic leash for busy areas.
Why vets love it: A good leash = safe walks = fewer âmy dog dislocated my shoulderâ stories.
5. Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Preventatives (aka Donât Skip This!)
- Keep your dog protected from fleas & ticks all month long with FRONTLINE Plus for Dogs a fast-acting, waterproof flea & …
- Break the flea life cycle with FRONTLINE Plus, specially formulated with fipronil and (S)-methoprene to kill existing ad…
- Trusted by pet owners for over 20 years, FRONTLINE Plus for Dogs can be used on puppies as young as eight weeks old, wei…
No one wants their dog as a buffet for parasites. And yet… so many people skip this part.
Please donât be one of them.
Your dog needs monthly protection, and your vet is your go-to source for what works best in your area.
Options include:
- Chewables. Like Simparica Trio or NexGard.
- Topicals. Revolution, Advantage, etc.
- Injections. Ask about ProHeart if you’re forgetful đ
Yes, they cost money. But so does treating heartworm… and guess which oneâs cheaper (and less heartbreaking)?
6. Bowls That Donât Slide Across the Kitchen Like a Hockey Puck
- ATTENTION: Please check the size chart before oder, make sure the stand height will fit your dog well. We suggest to mea…
- FOR SENIOR DOGS: Effectively protects the spine and neck, avoiding appetite problems caused by prolonged uncomfortable p…
- FOUR ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT RAISED DOG BOWLS: Our raised dog bowls for large sized dog can be adjusted to four different heig…
Feeding time shouldnât sound like a stampede.
Get non-skid stainless steel bowls. Theyâre easy to clean, non-porous, and they donât absorb funky smells like plastic ones do.
Nice extras:
- Elevated bowls. Great for big breeds or older dogs.
- Slow-feeder bowls. For dogs who inhale their kibble like itâs oxygen.
Avoid ceramic if your dog is a bowl smasher. You know who you are.
7. Chew Toys That Donât Explode in 5 Minutes
- 2 Pack XL Dog Rope Toy: Design for large dogs and aggressive chewers, consists of 2 durable XL rope toys, 27 inches of 4…
- Durable and Safe Material: Washable 100% natural cotton ropes, safe and durable
- Teeth Cleaning: Tasteless natural material can safely clean the teeth of dogs, the fibers can floss in between dogâs tee…
Dogs need to chew. Itâs not optional. Itâs therapy.
But not all chew toys are created equal. Looking at you, $2 plush duck.
Get:
- Vet-safe brands like Nylabone, KONG, or West Paw.
- Durable stuff. Rubber, not foam. Rope, not yarn.
- Size-appropriate. No tiny toys for big dogs. No giant toys for Chihuahuas. Common sense, people.
Avoid: Real bones, rawhides, or anything labeled âindestructibleâ that looks like it came from a dollar store.
8. Grooming Tools (You Will Need ThemâEven If Theyâre âLow-Sheddingâ)
- SELF-CLEANING MECHANISM : The slicker brush features a unique self-cleaning mechanism that allows you to easily removes …
- EFFICIENT FUR REMOVAL, GENTLE ON YOUR PET’S SKIN : The pet hair brush is designed with fine 135° stainless steel bristle…
- SUITABLE FOR ALL COAT TYPES : The dog brush for shedding is suitable for use on dogs, cats, and small animals with all c…
âOh, my dog doesnât shed.â
Cool. But they still have ears, nails, and the occasional post-mud-roll stink.
Must-haves:
- Nail clippers or a grinder (Dremel-style if you’re fancy)
- Brush or deshedding tool (Furminator = game-changer)
- Dog-safe shampoo (Oatmeal-based = gentle)
FYI: Human shampoo is a hard no. It messes with their pH. Also, they donât want to smell like coconut verbena.
9. A Dog Bed That Isnât Just an Old Towel
- MEMORY FOAM: The EHEYCIGA orthopedic dog bed features memory foam and egg crate foam to provide even support and pressur…
- SOFA BED DESIGN: This bolster dog bed is designed with 3-sided bolsters to offer additional support for your petâs neck …
- WATERPROOF COVER: A waterproof film is positioned between the fleece surface and the bottom fabric, ensuring the dog bed…
Would you sleep on a crumpled t-shirt? No? Then donât do that to your dog.
What matters:
- Orthopedic foam for joints (especially if you adopted a senior.)
- Removable, washable covers. Because accidents happen.
- Size. They should be able to sprawl out like a lazy king.
Avoid the âcuteâ beds with zero support. Your dog deserves more than a decorative pillow.
10. First Aid Basics (Because Accidents HappenâUsually at 2am)
- ENSURE PET SAFETY ON THE GO with our dog travel accessories, dog owner must haves in pet travel. Our comprehensive pet f…
- VET ENDORSED: Our Dog & Cat first aid kit, vet-reviewed for precision, is expertly crafted in a medical facility, provid…
- PET EMERGENCY ESSENTIALS: In addition to comprehensive pet first aid supplies, we include a dog thermometer, dog muzzle,…
Dogs are like toddlers with less sense of self-preservation. So a basic canine first aid kit? Not optional.
Essentials:
- Styptic powder (for bleeding nails)
- Gauze + vet wrap
- Tweezers for ticks
- Benadryl (Ask your vet for dosage first!)
- Hydrogen peroxide (To induce vomitingâONLY if vet-directed)
Bonus: Keep your vetâs number and an emergency clinic saved in your phone. Like, now.
11. Poop Bags (So Many. All the Time. Forever.)
- ă100% Leakproofă: Made of premium plastic and Strict quality control process, these dog poop bags rolls ensures 100% lea…
- ăStrong & Sturdyă: These strong & sturdy poop bags for dogs wonât tear easily, the double sealed bottom make sure the ba…
- ăEasy to useă: Breakpoint design makes the bags easy to dispense, also the bags are easy to open for use. These bags mak…
If you think you’ll need one bag a day, multiply that by ten.
Itâs wild how much one small dog can poop.
Get:
- Biodegradable bags. Earth-friendly and less guilt-inducing.
- Dispenser that clips to your leash. Because you will forget otherwise.
If you want to be fancy (or lazy), install a pet waste station in your backyard.
12. Training Treats That Actually Work
Training without treats? LOL. Good luck with that.
Look for:
- Small, soft treats. Quick to chew = faster training sessions.
- Low-calorie. Or your âsitâ will come with a side of chunky.
- High-value options. Freeze-dried liver, salmon, cheese bits… chefâs kiss.
Why it matters: Positive reinforcement works. Bribery? Even better. Just donât overdo it.
Final Thoughts (aka Youâve Got This)
Bringing home a dog can be overwhelming, but it doesnât have to be chaotic.
Start with the basics. Focus on quality, vet-recommended products that make life easier for both of you.
Will your pup still eat your socks and pretend they didnât? Absolutely.
But at least now, youâre prepared for the chaosâand maybe even enjoying it a little. đ
FYI: Donât feel like you need to buy everything day one. Start smart, build your toolkit, and let your pupâs personality guide the extras.
Iâve spent 10+ years in dog training, digging into what makes dogs (and their humans) tick. At Smart Dog Learning, I share my no-nonsense, fun approach to training so you can enjoy life with a well-behaved, happy pupâno boring lectures, just practical results đ
