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What to Buy Before Bringing Your Dog Home
If you have ever taken the time to wander through the pet isle of your local WalMart, or paid a visit to any pet specialty shop, you know that the rows and rows of equipment, toys and supplies available for your pet is mind boggling. It can be very difficult to determine what you truly need in order to keep your pet healthy and happy and what is simply an attempt on the part of the retailer to convince you that you need to spend more of your hard earned money in their store in the name of your pet’s best interest.
If you are operating on a shoestring budget there is actually very little that you are going to need to purchase prior to bringing your dog home. You are going to need to have something to feed it, so a set of food dishes is going to be a necessary expense. You are going to want to purchase three dishes for your pet, one for food, one for water and one for extra “treats” or table scraps (you can swear until the cows come home that you are not going to feed your pet table scraps, but when they turn those puppy dog eyes on you and your leftover hamburger you are going to find yourself giving in). These bowls do not have to be fancy, but they should be made of a durable material and low enough to the floor that your dog can reach inside easily.
You are also going to need a collar and a leash for your dog, also made of a durable material (preferably nylon). If you have children it would be wise to purchase an ordinary collar as opposed to a flea collar to prevent your children from getting any of the substance on their fingers and consequently in their mouths.
Your dog is going to need flea shampoo and heartworm medication, both purchases that should be made prior to their introduction to your home to prevent it becoming an issue later. Purchasing these items in small quantities will ensure that you are never faced with an expired product when you need it. An ordinary pet shampoo would also be handy, particularly if you intend for your dog to be an outdoor dog, as continuous use of flea shampoo can dry and/or irritate the skin. You are also going to need to invest in q-tips, cotton balls, a pair of canine nail clippers and a brush to groom your new pet.
Your dog is going to need a place to sleep; however, it is not necessary for you to buy any of the fancy pet beds currently for sale on the market if you do not so choose. A soft rug or comforter will do just as well, and will be much easier to clean in those first awkward weeks when you are busily housebreaking your new companion. A small number of toys, particularly rawhide or squeaky toys, will go a long way towards saving your furniture and your shoes. Some form of rope or knotted sock for use in a game of tug of war will be an absolute necessity; there is nothing a playful dog loves more than to play with their master, and if you do not provide the materials you could find your more cherished possessions quickly becoming the objects of your dog’s desire.
These items will get you started, and you will be able to gauge for yourself what your particular pet is going to need after they have joined your household. Remember that no matter what you buy for them it is going to take time for your dog to settle in and feel comfortable in your household. Have patience with them and the two of you will enjoy a bright future.
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