Bringing home a new puppy or dog can be an overwhelming experience, especially if it’s your first time. To ensure that you are well-prepared, you should do certain tasks in advance, such as getting the right supplies.
Having the necessary supplies is crucial to ensure your new companion’s comfort and safety. To help you out, we compiled a list of all the essential supplies and accessories that you’ll need, and we also included our recommendation for the best product in each category.
The Best Dog Accessories
- Tech Accessories
- Toy Accessories
- Walking Accessories
- Comfort Accessories
- Cleaning Accessories
- Grooming Accessories
Tech Accessories
1. Dog Camera
- Our Pick: Furbo 360° Dog Camera
When you must leave your dog alone for periods, having a camera like the Furbo will make it almost like you’re there! The camera can rotate all the way around and track your dog as they move around the room.
You also have the option of tossing treats from the Furbo and utilizing the speaker so you can talk to your dog. This model has night vision, a barking sensor, and an optional Furbo Dog Nanny, which requires a subscription.
2. GPS Tracker
- Our Pick: Tractive Dog GPS Tracker
Having a GPS tracker for your dog can provide peace of mind, especially if your dog has a tendency to run away. Although a microchip is still necessary, you can locate your dog’s real-time location with the tracker. It’s waterproof and can easily attach to your dog’s collar.
You can also access your dog’s location history and how many calories they have burned. However, keep in mind that the tracker requires a subscription.
3. Automatic Ball Launcher
- Our Pick: Hyper Pet GoDogGo Fetch Machine
Of course, you should always make time to play with your dog, but for those busy days, the GoDogGo Ball Launcher is an excellent way to give them exercise and mental stimulation.
It comes with five tennis balls, a remote control, an AC adapter, and rechargeable lithium batteries. You can choose from three time settings and multiple distance settings to customize your dog’s playtime experience.
4. Talking Pet Buttons
- Our Pick: Hunger for Words Talking Pet Starter Set
Using large buttons to teach your dog words to help you both communicate better has started to become quite popular. After all, who doesn’t want to understand exactly what their pet wants?
This set includes four colorful buttons that enable you to record a single word using your voice. The buttons also come with a step-by-step teaching guide developed by speech therapist Christina Hunger.
5. Automated Dog Feeder
There may be times when you can’t be home for one of your dog’s mealtimes, which is when automatic feeders come in handy. This model is compatible with Amazon Echo, so you can feed your dog through voice commands or via your Apple or Android smartphone from any location.
With this feeder, you have the flexibility to set up to 12 mealtimes at different intervals. You can also adjust the portion sizes, ranging from 1/8 of a cup to 4 cups, to suit your dog’s dietary needs. Plus, there’s a slow-feed feature for dogs that gulp down their food too quickly.
Toy Accessories
6. Chew Toys
- Our Pick: KONG Classic Dog Toy
KONG has been producing strong chews that can withstand heavy-duty chewing since its inception in the 1970s. Additionally, this toy’s hollow design makes it perfect for stuffing with food like peanut butter, yogurt, or frozen broth, providing hours of entertainment for dogs!
7. Playing Fetch
- Our Pick: Chuckit! Ultra Rubber Ball Tough Dog Toy
These balls are affordable, durable, and available in different sizes to suit your dog. They bounce exceptionally well and are lightweight enough to float in water.
With their bright colors, they are easy to spot if thrown a little too far. If your dog loves to play fetch, these balls are highly recommended.
8. Plush Toy
- Our Pick: Multipet Lamb Chop Squeaky Plush Dog Toy
This adorable plush toy also has a squeaker, which your dog will likely enjoy. It’s available in a few different sizes and will keep your dog entertained for chewing and cuddling purposes.
Walking Accessories
9. Harness
This harness comes in various colors and sizes and has buckles on both the front and back, which aids in reducing pulling. It also has a handle on the back and is padded, making it more comfortable for your furry friend. It features 3M reflective material that increases visibility during evening walks.
10. Collar
This durable and gorgeous collar is made with real leather and is available in five colors and four sizes. The inner lining is soft and won’t cause chafing, and it is padded for added comfort. It’s made with brass hardware lacquered to prevent rust and has a ring for an ID tag.
11. Leash
- Our Pick: Frisco Solid Nylon Dog Leash
For the most part, most dog owners only need a reliable 6-foot leash, and Frisco’s leash is just that. It’s available in four colors and several lengths and widths and is made with durable woven nylon. But if you are planning on purchasing a leather collar, you can pair it with this Soft Touch Leash.
12. ID Tag
You want an ID tag for your dog’s collar that has your name, address, and phone number on one side and your dog’s name on the other. These tags come in five colors and two sizes and are quite affordable! Just bear in mind that you should also have your dog microchipped.
13. Poop Bags
- Our Pick: Earth Rated Dog Poop Bags
While you’re walking your dog, there’s poop to take into account! Earth Rated Poop Bags are ideal for staying on top of this rather unpleasant chore. The bags are thick and conveniently come out of the box like tissues. They are merely leakproof and environmentally friendly, as they are made with 65% recycled plastic.
Comfort Accessories
14. Dog Crate
Not everyone chooses to crate train their dogs, but it can be a safe and effective option if you need to leave your puppy alone at times.
The Frisco Dog Crate is available in a range of sizes to fit your dog comfortably, and it’s also quite affordable! The crate comes with a divider panel that you can adjust as your puppy grows, and there are front and side doors for easy access. It’s also designed to be portable, with attached handles that make it easy to carry while traveling. Additionally, the base can be slid out for easy cleaning, making it a practical choice for pet owners.
15. Dog Bed
- Our Pick: Frisco Faux Suede Bolster Dog Bed
If you want to provide your furry friend with a comfortable and cozy sleeping place, Frisco’s Bolster Dog Bed is a great option. It’s available in two colors and three different sizes and has bolsters that can make it even snugger for your pet to rest in.
The bed has an attractive faux suede cover, with a soft and plush sleeping area to ensure your dog’s comfort. Additionally, it’s machine washable, making it easy to clean and maintain.
Cleaning Accessories
16. Stain and Odor Remover
Having a dog can sometimes be messy, especially when you’re in the middle of housetraining your puppy. They can leave urine, feces, drool, and vomit all over the place. However, there is a solution to this problem.
This bio-enzyme spray is an effective product that can permanently remove stains and bad odors without the use of fragrance. It is unscented and is safe to use on every surface, including carpets, floors, and fabrics.
Grooming Accessories
17. Comb
- Our Pick: Andis Steel Pet Comb
The type of brush that you need entirely depends on your dog’s coat, so we’re highlighting a comb here instead.
This stainless-steel comb has wide and narrow teeth on each end and works well at removing loose hair, dirt, and tangles. The narrow teeth can work well on dogs with thinner coats and on all dogs’ faces.
18. Nail Clippers
Trimming a dog’s nails is an essential part of caring for a dog. Safari’s Nail Trimmers have stainless-steel blades that cut quickly and cleanly and a non-slip grip for easy handling. The blades that efficiently cut quickly and cleanly. It also has a safety feature to protect you from injury.
19. Shampoo
- Our Pick: Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo
Some dogs need to be bathed frequently, while others only need an occasional bath. But bathing a dog must be done with dog shampoo.
Hepper’s Oatmeal Dog Shampoo contains several moisturizing ingredients like oatmeal, cucumbers, and aloe vera. It is a good option for dogs with sensitive skin because the colloidal oatmeal will help reduce itchy skin. Additionally, you can use wash wipes in between baths to keep your dog clean and fresh.
If you are looking for the perfect product to clean your dog's sensitive areas or would benefit from an on-the-go option, Hepper's Wash Wipes are our recommendation. These premium wipes are thick and durable enough for the toughest of paw messes, while still being soft enough to use on your dog's ears or eyes. Formulated with pet-friendly, hypoallergenic ingredients they are the ideal product for all dogs of all ages, skin conditions, or sensitivities.
At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool pet company!
20. Dental Care
- Our Pick: Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Dental Kit
You will need to brush your dog’s teeth at least several times a week. Nylabone’s Oral Care Kit contains an angled toothbrush, a finger brush, and flavored toothpaste, so your dog might enjoy the experience. It’s crucial to use toothpaste specifically formulated for dogs, as human toothpaste can be harmful to them.
Conclusion
When bringing home a new puppy or dog, having all the essential accessories and supplies in place is vital to ease their transition into your family.
While there will be more items that you will need to get as you go along, we hope that this list will help you get started. Caring for a dog, particularly a puppy, comes with many responsibilities, but with proper research and preparation, your new companion will thrive.
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Featured Image by: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock