Bringing home a four-legged baby is an exciting event for any pet lover and entails a fair bit of preparation. You have to prep your home for the new member, and that requires a trip – or several – to the pet store to load up on dog essentials needed to keep your pooch comfortable, secure, and happy. From dog accessories to new dog essentials, there is a plethora of little things you’re going to need to make your pet’s induction into your life seamless and hassle-free.

Of course, that is just the first step. You will keep adding things to the pet essentials list over the course of time, depending on your dog’s changing needs. Whether you’re curating a new dog shopping list or are a seasoned pet owner on your hundredth trip to the pet store, physical or virtual, the vast spectrum of options can leave you feeling confused, and somewhat overwhelmed. All About Dog Parenting is here to help you zero in on the right products and essentials for your pet’s needs with first-hand, unbiased reviews and carefully curated pet essentials lists.

Dog Essentials

To give you a sense of the kind of essentials and accessories you will need to load up on for your furry baby, let’s take a look at some must-haves in every pet home:

• Bowls: At least two adequately sized bowls for your dog to have food and water from, choosing a size appropriate for food/water consumption. If you’re bringing home a puppy, you may want to start with a smaller size and upgrade as your puppy grows
• Measuring cup: Whether you’re giving your pooch packaged dog food or home-cooked meals, a measuring cup is essential to serve them a balanced diet in the right quantity avoiding problems such as obesity
• Dog bed: A good quality and comfortable bed to sleep on that your dog can treat as their space or sanctuary they can retreat to when they want to feel safe and secure
• Dog crate: In the interest of setting boundaries and learning to respect them, crate training becomes vital. For that, you need a spacious crate that your dog can easily access and feel safe in
• Absorbent mats: These can be a lifesaver when you’re still toilet training a puppy because accidents are inevitable at that stage. It’s advisable to keep these stocked up even when your pooch is all grown-up and well-trained because whenever your dog gets sick, accidents will happen
• Tick and flea medication: You’d need all-natural and safe tick and flea medication to keep your pooch safe from nasty infestations and the resulting health complications
• Ear cleaning supplies: Ear infections are one of the most common health issues faced by dogs of all breeds and if not addressed properly, these can quickly turn chronic. That’s why cleaning your dog’s ears regularly is a must, and for that, you need a good cleaning solution and some gauge
• Dog first aid kit essentials: These include cotton, gauge, vet-approved ointments for minor bruises, cuts and scrapes, ice packs, etc
• Poop scoopers and bags: An absolute must-have! Make sure you get these in bulk and keep them stocked because running out of poop bags can be the unfolding of a real nightmare for you

Dog Accessories

In addition to the basic essentials, you also need some other accessories to keep your dog safe, properly groomed, and mentally stimulated. These include:

• Collar: Of course, no pet essentials list is complete without a mention of a collar. While there is no dearth of styles and options out there, it’s vital to choose one that’s the right size for your dog and comfortable to wear. Customized collars are all the rage these days, and definitely worth exploring 
• Leash: A front-runner among dog walking essentials. You’d typically need 2-3 different kinds of leashes, such as a short leash for training your dog to walk without pulling, a regular one for walks, and a 50-meter leash for play in public areas – crucial if you can’t predict your dog’s behavior when set free in a public space
• Harness: Another vital element of dog walking essentials. It’s always better to use a harness to walk your dog as opposed to a collar, as harnesses are designed to distribute the pressure evenly and prevent excessive strain on your dog’s neck
• Soft toys: Your furry baby needs a couple of loveys they can hug and fall asleep or rip off as they please 
• Chewy toys: Hide bones, rubber chew toys, cotton ropes, all of these are essential when your puppy is teething if you want to prevent every single item in your home from being destructed by those tiny pin-needle teeth. Your grown-up dog needs them just as much to stay constructively occupied and mentally stimulated when left alone at home or for durations when you can’t actively engage with them
• Fetch toys: Balls and frisbees are absolutely non-negotiable and no list of dog accessories can be complete without them. Your dog will absolutely love them, and using them for playtime can be a great bonding opportunity for you and your pooch
• Hair brushes: Again, brushing your dog every day is not just an essential grooming activity but also a great way to bond. It helps keep your pup’s fur clean and fluffy and allows you two to really connect
• Nail clippers: Overgrown nails are an injury hazard for your dog, besides being extremely painful. Your dog’s nails must be groomed regularly, and for that, you need a pair of high-quality clippers best suited to your dog’s size

These are just some of the basics you need to keep in mind when curating a new dog shopping list or updating an existing one. All About Dog Parenting will bring you deeper insights into these and other dog accessories and essentials to make sure your money is well-spent on necessary, high-quality products that your dog actually needs and deserves