Puppy Essentials. A simple guide for the caring pet parent.
The decision has finally been taken. The family is now prepared for the best time of their lives, a puppy is now a part of the family. There is a lot of excitement but there will be homework to be done as well to make one’s life simpler. We have a created a simple guide for pet parents of puppy essentials.
This blog assumes that puppy has been given a complete check up by the vet and has been given its vaccinations as well. This is a very crucial first step in puppy care at home.
Puppy Essentials List
1. Food and water bowls for puppy
2. Puppy will need something to sleep on
3. Collars, Leashes and Harnesses
4. Chew Toys and something to play with
5. Puppies Love to eat all the time.
6. What about the poo and the pee all over the house ?
7. Bathing and Grooming Supplies
8. Home Made Recipes for Puppy Meals
9. Dog Monitoring Camera
1. Food and water bowls for the puppy.
The food and water bowls need to be separate. The water bowl is usually accessible to the pup around the clock and filled with water. The food bowl is usually used only when the pup has its meals and then it is cleaned and put out of reach. The food and water bowl should be one of the top priorities in your new puppy shopping list.
Food and Water Bowl for Puppy
Both bowls should be made of material that is safe to put water or food in and can be washed easily and thoroughly with simple detergent (which needs to be in your puppy essentials box as well) . Ensure to wash the detergent off the bowls while cleaning the bowls.
The bowls should be wide enough for the pup to eat its food or drink water easily without having to strain its mouth to reach the food or water easily. The wider it is , the better it is for the pup. The other advantage of having a wide bowl is that the food or water does not spill onto the floor too easily. It is always good to place the bowl on some newspaper so even if the food spill over, it does not fall on the floor. Pick up the newspaper after the meal is complete.
It is helpful that these bowls are slip proof otherwise the bowls start to move while the pup eats its food. You can have the bowl slipping all over the house as the pup tries to eat the food.
A simple stainless steel (rust proof) cooking utensil could also be used as a water or food bowl for the puppy.
Check out other Bowls for your Puppy on Amazon
2. Puppy will need something to sleep on.
Puppies are not very fussy what the sleep on so long as it is comfortable and not too hard a surface. The location of where the puppy sleeps is also important.
In the initial days it is better that the puppy’s bedding be put near the pet owner or at least where the puppy can see the owner. The first few days of a the new environment it is best to let the puppy sleep next to you as that gives the puppy a feeling of security.
Whenever I bring a puppy home, the first few nights, I actually sleep on the floor next to it. Once the puppy is more comfortable you can gradually move the bed to the location you have chosen for the puppy. Most times the puppy will give you a clear indication of the location it is comfortable and secure to sleep.
A puppy’s bed can be simply a folded thick bed sheet. The material should be easily washable as there will be accidents (pee and poo), the bed sheet will get dirty with hair, dirt and mud and it will be needed to be washed on a regular basis. Do not go on changing the bed sheet as the familiar smell of the bed sheet is an important factor when the puppy goes to sleep.
A simple cotton mattress (gadda) bought from the local shop on the street also suffices well as a bed for the puppy. These simple mattresses (gadda) are available online as well but I do not think one can get custom sizes. At your local store one can ask for the mattress to be made of a particular size as well. A cover for the mattress is highly recommended so it be removed and washed. The mattress cover protects the mattress from getting dirty.
Mattress for Puppy
The only problem with a mattress of any kind unless specially designed for dogs is that if the dog urinates on the mattress, it soaks it in and then is very difficult to clean and there is a persistent smell as the urine has seaped into the stuffing of the mattress.
Another great alternative is to buy a bed specifically for pets. These pet beds can be purchased online or are available at most pet shops.
Dog Round Bed
These pet beds are extremely comfortable, made of good material and most importantly are washable. These dog beds come in lovely colors, shapes and sizes and are light weight so can be moved around easily or taken along while travelling as well.
Check out more pet bedding for your puppy here.
Pet Mats are another alternative as a place to sleep for your puppy. Just ensure these pet mats are washable. These mats come with adequate cushioning, are slip proof and washable as well. These pet mats are available online as well.
Regardless of what type of bed you use ensure also to give your puppy a little pillow and bed sheet to curl into. Ensure to have the above items ticked off in your puppy essential checklist.
3. Collars, Leashes And Harnesses are Puppy Essentials.
Initially it is advised to keep the puppy indoors till it grows up a little more and has completed its entire round of vaccinations. Purchasing a collar and/or harness and leash is a primary item in a puppy essentials list.
The Collar
The collar should be made of material that is soft and gentle on the skin of the dog. The size of the collar should be adjustable so that the same collar can be used over a period of time as the puppy grows. The clasps used to adjust the collar size should be designed in such as way that if in metal it does not injure the pup in any way.
Always ensure to check out the size of the collars
Ensure that the collar fits in such a way that the dog cannot slip its head thru it. This can be disastrous while taking a walk and the puppy manages to slip out of its collar. The collar though secure should be comfortable as one might not take it off often. The collar in no way should even remotely choke the puppy while playing, sitting , sleeping or even rolling on its back.
The collar should be easily washable as that needs to done regularly.
A Harness
Many a time instead of a collar, a harness can be used instead. Unlike the collar that just is around the neck, the harness strapped around the body of the puppy making it more secure.
Always ensure to check the chest and neck size while buying a harness.
The harness does not put any stress on the neck and gives more control over the dog. With a harness if one needs to suddenly pull the puppy away from doing something, the stress is not concentrated on the neck hence reducing the chances of a neck injury. A harness is also good for extremely small dogs that might have respiratory problems due to the collar and its pressure on the neck.
Unlike the collar, the harness is not something you can keep on the puppy the whole day. It has to be removed once the exercise or walk is complete and kept away.
As with other accessories the harness should be made of material that is easily washable.
The Leash
A leash is critical in your essential puppy supplies list. Depending on the breed and size of the dog, ensure that the leash is strong enough to withstand the pulling and tugging of the dog. Too long a leash can also result in the puppy entangling itself in it.
The length of the leash should also not be too long initially as one must ensure to quickly bring the pup along side if required. The leash must not be too heavy and chains are certainly not recommended.
Again the material of the leash should be washable as the washing needs to be done in a regular manner. Unlike the collar, once the walk or exercise is over the leash must be removed and kept away. You cannot have the puppy dragging the leash all over the house as it can hurt itself. Puppy have a habit of chewing and destroying the leash given a chance.
4. Chew Toys And Something to play with. Playful Puppy Essentials.
Toys are a front runner in the new puppy shopping list. Puppies are active at all times.They love to play from the time they wake up to the time they go to sleep. Non stop activity just like a 4-5 year old. They have to kept occupied, they have to be exercised and they need to bond with their human parents in the process.
Apart from being exercised and been taken for a walk what one does the rest of the time is equally important. The pet parent has to take time to play with the puppy. The puppy also needs to be given puppy toys to play with on its own as well. The toys will keep the puppy occupied and has to be a part of the puppy essentials kit.
Chew Toys are also very important as the puppy goes thru a process of teething as well as developing its jaws. It is at this phase that the puppy needs to chew and bite on something continuously and these puppy chew toys are good to have in your essential puppy supplies list.
It is advised to have chew toys on hand otherwise the puppy will begin to chew on furniture, slippers , clothes , socks, shoes etc. and will begin to destroy stuff in the house which will not be looked at favorably at all. Tearing of pillows, bed sheets, pulling down of table cloths are all play for the puppy along with its teething habits.
The problem with giving them old shoes or slippers to chew on is that they do not differentiate which shoes or slippers to chew on or not and begin to chew on any shoe or slipper available in the house!. The toys belong to the, puppy, the puppy knows that and will begin to play and chew only on the articles it has been given. Read more on Stopping Destructive Dog Behavior – A Guide for Pet Parents. by our guest author Poojita Somayajula.
Ensure the toys that are purchased are easily washable. The more occupied the puppy is kept with an array of toys, ropes, balls and chew toys, the less trouble it will get itself into.
Trending Toy for Puppy – Tug of Wall Toy. Buy Now from Amazon
Our pets love to play Tug of war with us with their chew toys , towels and socks. The only issue is that we need to be there at the end of the towel to play with.
The Tug of Walls Toys are these fun toys which have suction cups at one end of the rope which attach themselves to a surface (wall or floor) and the other end has a toy that your pet can tug or play with it on their own.
5. Puppies love to eat ALL the time!
Puppies like to eat all the time but that does not mean you should be feeding them all the time. Initially you have to be very careful not to overfeed them as puppies do not know when to stop and you can end up overfeeding the puppies. Twice or thrice a day regular meals is good. One can throw in a couple of puppy treats in between.
Home Cooked Puppy Food
As a general rule it would be good that the puppy gets used to eating what is made at home. Speak to the vet, explain the diet of the house and ask for advice of which foods can be given to the puppy as well.
Home cooked puppy food is the best however many a time it lacks all the ingredients in terms of minerals, vitamins etc. that a growing pup needs. The food initially should be mashed and easy to digest. Chicken soup, rice and curds are some good examples.
Chappaties are also good. Bread and other Maida based products need to be given with care as many dogs are gluten intolerant. Milk is good but must be diluted and then given initially. Adding veggies in the food is very good but the puppy might not like to eat the vegetables. Make sure all food is mashed and easy to digest initially.
Sugar coated sweets etc. and chocolates must be avoided however occasional ice cream would be great.
Add Dried Food and Wet Gravy Food to your puppy essentials shopping list.
Puppy Wet Food
One can opt of packaged dry and wet puppy food as well. A combination of dried puppy food and home made food can be given. The dry food is supposed to have all the ingredients that a growing puppy needs. Also dry is convenient to give as well as good while travelling where preparation of home food is not possible all the time. A puppy should be used to having both dried food as well as home made food.
Ensure the dried food or wet gravy food that you purchase is for Puppy and not Adult. Also care should be taken that dry food is usually not given till the pup is about 3 months old.
Puppy Dry Food
6. What about the poo and the pee all over the house?
Poo, pee, susu and potty, call it what you want, you will need to deal it with it on a regular basis. Until the puppy is potty trained and begins to go out for walks, there will be a lot of ‘accidents’ of poo and pee in the house. You as a parent will have to accept this task in your stride.
Old Newspapers
Old Newspapers according to me are the best solution for pee in the house and need to be ticked off in your puppy essentials checklist. As soon as you find that little puddle of your puppy, cover it with newspaper. The newspaper will soak in the urine and then the place can be cleaned easily.
Newspapers are also a great tool to potty train your puppy. Over a period of time with potty training the pup will begin pee on the newspaper itself.
Pee Pads are a better alternative to newspaper since cleaning up is much easy to do. The absorbent material of the pee pad soaks up the urine effectively. Pee pads are convenient to use in crates as well and a ‘good to have’ in the puppy essentials kit.
Toilet Paper
For the poo, I regularly use toilet paper to pick up the poo and wipe the surrounding area with it. The area can then be cleaned properly with a wet duster (swab) with the required detergent powder or solution. I would add a little bit of vinegar with the cleaning solution to remove the smell of the puppy’s pee and poo.
As you begin to take your puppy out for walks and it is outside the house that the puppy will poo and pee, it is also basic expected civic sense that the pet owner must pick up the poo.
7. Bathing and Grooming Supplies
Puppy Essentials for Bathing
Most puppies love a bath because they love to play in water. For pet owners, be prepared to get totally drenched as well in the process of bathing the puppy. Bathing and Grooming Supplies should be kept handy in your puppy essentials kit.
You need a tub where you can comfortably place the pup in. Place the pup in the tub and then fill the tub with warm water. Use a simple mug to pour water onto the pup. Ensure to secure the pup so it does not jump out of the tub all wet and run around the house with you chasing the puppy.
Pour enough water on the pup to ensure the coat is entirely washed and drenched and then begin to apply the soap or puppy shampoo. Apply the soap or puppy shampoo gently so as not to injure the skin. Also ensure not to put the puppy shampoo or soap near the eyes of the puppy. Ensure sufficient lather is formed and if possible wait for a while before washing it off.
Wash the soap or shampoo off completely with loads of water. Keep an eye on the paws and the belly and other inaccessible areas that might have the soap collected. Popular Soaps and Shampoos for puppies can be purchased from Amazon.
Once the rinsing is over, take a soft towel and dry the puppy thoroughly but carefully.
Place the puppy on a comfy cloth once the bath is complete, perhaps it might need to shake off some water and let it dry itself up as well. Pups usually have a good nap after a bath.
Brushing and Combing the coat.
Puppies loved to be groomed. Though it is a trait of humans to try to be well groomed, it over the years has rubbed off on our pups. Grooming involves taking care of their coat primarily for most pet owners. Brushing and the combing of their coat becomes an essential part of pet care but also gives a chance of some quality one on one time between pet owner and puppy.
The process of brushing is not only for making the puppy look neat but it also has a good effect on the coat. It indirectly massages the puppy and increases blood circulation. Brushing also removes dirt, untangles the hair and removes the loose hair if any.
Many pet owners prefer to use a comb to groom the coat of the puppy. The comb is specially advantageous for dogs whose hair gets matted easily. The sensation caused by combing is good for the puppy by the way of blood circulation as well. Longer hair coats do better with a combing first and then a brushing down. Combing also removes fallen hair and could also be helpful in removing fleas. You can purchase some good ‘Combs for dogs’ from Amazon.
About the Author.
Zarir Karbhari dedicates his waking hours to the welfare of stray and abandoned animals on the streets of Pune. He is a Civil Engineer by education and ran a software development company for over 25 years till his life quite literally went to the dogs.
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