New Puppy? Dog? 10 Must Have Essentials Most Owners Forget

Do you have a new puppy in the house, or will be getting one soon?  You probably have a list of items that you need — leash, collar, crate, toys, cleaners, etc. but here’s a list of items that people frequently overlook and that aren’t always found on the “getting a new puppy” websites. 

Microchip

When getting a new puppy, make sure you have it “micro-chipped” and that you get the certificate from the vet or the breeder.  Over three million dogs enter shelters each year as strays, but less than ~19% are returned to their owners.  If the unthinkable happens, and your pup gets away from you, if your pup is picked up by Animal Care & Control, or a responsible citizen finds it and takes it to a vet, the first thing that will be done is a microchip scan. Don’t let yourself or your pup become a statistic. Microchips are affordable and they don’t hurt the dog.

Puppy Bumpers

If you have a fence, deck or balcony railings, the standard width between rails four-inches. It doesn’t seem like much or a big deal until you watch your puppy or small dog go through them. That’s why you’ll need 1 or 2, or even 3 of these gizmos.  When one’s in the laundry, you’ll have another on hand.  They come in various sizes, and they snap securely around the puppy’s neck.  They’re made of cotton and foam, so they’re not going to irritate the pup and they won’t impede a pup from playing, eating or sleeping.

Learn from my mistake, I didn’t have one initially for my Boston Allegra, and she went through my fence to play with the dog next door about three times before I figured it out.  Plus, if you live in a high-rise, have a multi-tier deck, or even a staircase inside your home, don’t underestimate your pup.  When it’s curious or it wants something, it will find a way to get to it, even at the potential cost of its life or serious injury.

Bitter Apple

This may be new to some of you first-time dog owners, but when the puppy starts chewing, or is curious and puts something into its mouth that doesn’t belong there, Bitter Apple is what you can use.  Just spray it on the item that you don’t want your puppy to chew. It doesn’t stain, it isn’t toxic, and you can use it on wood as well as fabrics and other items.  Your biggest problem will be, and some people do have one, is if you have your dog likes the taste (although 99% of them don’t).

Slow Feeder Bowl

Some dogs as puppies, and then later as adults, seem to inhale their food, which isn’t exactly great for their digestion, and with large chested dogs, can be concern for bloat. With these slow feeder bowls, the pup is forced to eat more slowly as it navigates finding where all the food is hiding. They’re inexpensive, come in all shapes and sizes and are readily available at pet stores.

Canned Pumpkin

Little pups as well as adult dogs always seem to get into things and occasionally swallow something they shouldn’t.  You’ll know because they stop eating and start vomiting with/without the diarrhea. In which case, your vet will usually recommend you try canned pumpkin to see if it will help the offending item pass through the dog’s system, and since the pumpkin is rich in fiber, it will help bulk up to stop the diarrhea.

Now be sure to read the label, because this is NOT the canned pumpkin you buy at Thanksgiving.  This is straight, canned pumpkin available at the grocery or dog food stores.  And pay attention to your puppy if it has diarrhea, because the little guys can dehydrate very quickly. So if the diarrhea doesn’t stop within 24 hours, over to the vet as soon as possible.

White Rice and Plain Yogurt

Believe it or not, but there are a lot of people who don’t have these on hand.  Of the two products, make sure you have the white rice, doesn’t matter if it’s long grain, instant, or basmati. Rice is a safe, bland diet and you can also mix this with a little yogurt or chicken. Yogurt helps if your pup has digestive upset, with vomiting or diarrhea because it has probiotics.  With the yogurt though, don’t go crazy with it. A teaspoon goes a long way.

Benadryl/Pepcid AC

Yes, it’s the regular, human variety.  Benadryl is great for the allergy season time, especially those times of year when your puppy/dog starts itching, licking, and mini-biting its paws. It’s also great for swelling and hives. My German Shepherd, Czarina, when she was a baby, managed to get stung by a grass bee, and her poor little head ballooned. Called the vet, ran her over, and sure enough, she got an antibiotic, and then “give her Benadryl” and the dosage is 1 mg/pound of dog.  Pepcid AC, a.k.a. Famotidine should only be used under the vet’s guidance.  This is used for gastric upsets, and the dosage should be recommended by your vet based on your pet’s weight.  Having both the Benadryl and Pepcid on hand saves a trip to the pharmacy.

Hydrogen Peroxide

This is not a product for only those who live in a suburban or rural area where you encounter wildlife, as in skunks. Peroxide also comes in handy if your dog ate something serious and you need to get it to vomit quickly to get the “poison” out of its system. 

Pill Cutter and Syringe

Again, you don’t think you need these until you do.  And hopefully you won’t.  If your puppy gets sick and needs medication, sometimes you have to cut the pill into halves or quarters, and a food knife or other kitchen cutlery just won’t do the job.  The syringe comes in handy when you have to feed a sick puppy, who can’t eat by itself. There are many You Tube videos to show you how to use this item.

Nail Trimmer/Brushes

I’m leaving this for last, because most of the time people, especially first time owners are squeamish about cutting their dog’s nails, because they don’t want to hurt them, in addition to getting the puppy to stay still. But if you’re a diy-er, then depending on the dog you have and its size, you’ll need a pair of trimmers.  When you start to hear nails on the floor when your dog walks, it’s time for a trim.  Do your homework and decide which is the best trimmer for your pup. I have just about everything, from a grinder/Dremel,  to clippers, to the guillotine blade.  I have to admit that unless you really know what you’re doing, and you can clip quickly, then the Dremel may be your best bet because it has different speeds.  Dogs who are really finicky about nail trims seem to prefer the no-hurt dremel,

Brushes are essential to keeping the dirt and dander down, in additional to keeping your dog’s coat lustrous. It’s always good to get your puppy used to the feel of the brush early on. Since there are many types of brushes out there for different coats, this is another do your homework to determine what dog is best for your dog’s coat.

Hope this list has helped you. Let me know in the comments if you have any questions, or other suggestions.