Whether you're a first-time dog owner or a seasoned expert on dog ownership, there are many items you will need to make your new pup comfortable in their home! In addition, you may have heard of dog baby showers. I'll write more about that in another blog and incorporate some pawtastic ideas for how to decorate your pup's baby shower and/or what to bring to the shower as a guest.

Just as humans have different personalities, dogs do too. Some of these items might not be necessary, but as you venture along life's journey with your pup, you'll discover which ones work best for your household. For example, you'll notice I've listed wee wee pads and a crate. I've written a separate post on crate training, which you can find below this blog. With all my dogs, only three out of fifteen used a crate and none used wee wee pads. That might sound amazing, but here is a full disclosure: I only had one puppy, but the rest were older when I adopted them. 

If the dog doesn't mind going into a crate, I'm one hundred percent for crate training. If they are terrified of crates, then there are other options available.

Some of these are self-explanatory, so you won't see details next to them. On others, I'll elaborate a bit! Here are 30 Essential Items for Dog Owners!

1.     Dog bowl for each dog you own.  

If you have one dog, then it goes without saying that they need a dog bowl. If you have more than one pet, designating a specific location for each dog to eat their meals helps greatly in the long run. In all the years I've lived with dogs, I've mostly had at least two. Training them to know exactly which spot is theirs made mealtime much simpler. I found a feeder on Etsy that had three spots for bowls, so put one food bowl to the left, water bowl in the middle and another food bowl to the right. There were never any arguments over food.

2.     Water bowl, always filled!

Dogs get thirsty! Can you recall a time when you were parched, dying for a bottle of water, but had to wait? Now imagine you couldn't get that water. That's how our pups feel. It's important to ensure they have clean, fresh water at all times. (*Note, puppies may follow a different rule depending on your sleep schedule. When I raised my pup, the vet suggested removing their water a few hours before bedtime. The same holds true for dogs undergoing surgery, depending on your veterinarian's instructions). 

3.    Low Calorie Nutritious Dog Treats

As a dog owner, I feel that I am constantly training, even if our dogs are well-mannered. Many, if not all, dogs love praise and treats. This can be a problem if the treats contain fat and calories. While it's OK to have those yummy treats on hand. as well to give occasionally, I find for dogs who love rewards constantly, low calorie is the way to go. (*Note, this includes carrots or non-toxic fruits and vegetables)!

4.    Nutritious Dog Food

While this item needs no explanation, it's crucial to give our pets nutritious foods that have the vitamins they need. Some are more expensive than others, but your vet can suggest a food that caters to your dog's specific needs. Some dogs may even need prescription varieties for underlying health issues. It's always a good idea to determine which brand and blend your dog requires.

5.    Bedding

If you're like me or like many dog owners, your dog may sleep in the bed with you. However, there are times they want to be independent, and even if they are allowed on the couch, they often want something to call their own. Having a comfortable bed for them to claim is helpful for those moments when your dog is looking for some private space.

6.     Crate

I have written an entire blog on crate training, so please see link below this blog to read in more detail. I will sum it up by saying that crates are excellent for dogs who like them. They help with housebreaking your pup, and some even use the crate as their bedroom when they are looking for a little nap during the day!

7.    Wee Wee pads

These moisture absorbing pads aren't just for puppies. As dogs get older, some can become incontinent and have multiple accidents in the home. Having these available for your pup makes cleaning up after them a little easier.

8.    Dog Brush

Dogs get messy! While most shed, brushing them not only removes some of the hair, but it also helps their lymphatic system! In addition, it gives you bonding time with your pet.

9.    Dog Nail Trimmer

If your dog allows you to trim their nails, this tool comes in handy. They have different types from a traditional dog nail clipper to a nail grinder.

10.  Dog Thermometer

I had never thought of having a thermometer until one of my dogs was reacting to chemotherapy. How I wish I did.   I didn't know he had a very high fever. Having a thermometer in-house is great for times when you're not sure if your dog is in immediate need of an animal hospital. They now make them so you can take the temperature in their ear rather than the traditional way. 

11. Spray bottle

This little device has kept more than one of my pups happy, especially when Las Vegas temperatures reach 115! Sometimes, they just need a little help cooling off and spritzing them with some water now and then helps cool them down just enough to be comfortable.

12. Dog Shampoo/Conditioner

While many dogs love having a spa day either at a groomer or mobile groomer, there will still be moments when you’ll need to give them a bath at home. Did you ever have a dog who loved to splash around in mud? I have and can tell you that there was no way I would wait until a grooming appointment was available! Sometimes, we have to bathe our pups ourselves, so might as well be prepared! 

 13. Dog Toys

Since I’ve been living with golden retrievers for the past twenty-four years, I can’t imagine how much I’ve spent on toys! However, many dogs get bored and need something to keep them busy. Years ago, you could only find a select few toys at the supermarket or pet shop, but today there are so many from which to choose. If your dog isn’t destructive, you can even buy stuffed animals from the dollar store. Unfortunately for me, my dogs shred those within seconds, so my “go to” brand is Kong.

14.  Toy Chest

If your pup only has one favorite toy, this might not be necessary. However, for dogs like mine, who need a variety of treasures, having a toy chest is a must!

15.  Nylabones

Years ago, I used to buy rawhide bones for my dogs.  This was before I heard all of the horror stories about the ingredients that goes into them, including glue!  Since then, I’ve switched to Nylabones. I buy the indestructible ones which allow my dog to chew, but not ingest the pieces of it.  These have been a blessing and have given me a few minutes to myself, even though I might be spending some of those minutes writing this blog!

16. Dog Enrichment Puzzles

If you have a dog or dogs who need a lot of mental stimulation, these puzzles can keep your dog occupied for a very long time.   There are a variety of these on Amazon.

 17. To Go Bag

As I’m writing this, I realize I’ve had many different types of situations with all of my pups.  One of them was having to leave my house at midnight when my air conditioner broke.  It was the HOTTEST day of the summer.  It was then that I realized that having a to go bag for my dog was imperative.  In it, I put the bare essentials:  A collapsible dog bowl for food water, treats, dog food, a toy and any medications they may need.  It might also be beneficial to keep a list handy of what your dog needs should an emergency evacuation like this arise.  This way, you know exactly what to stuff in the to go bag when you have to leave quickly. This has multiple uses as many of us take our dogs on the road with us. Shouldn't they have their own suitcase?

18. Car stairs/ramp

If you have a large dog who has trouble getting into the car or SUV, it might be impossible to lift them.  Training them to use stairs or a ramp will help both you and your pup!  I used the stairs for my dog, Lola and this was perfect for her because she didn’t injure herself getting in and out of my car.  It was perfect for me as I didn’t have to lift a sixty-pound dog each time!

19. Dog First Aid Kit

It may seem silly, but dogs get injured too!  Some of the items I have in my dog’s first aid kit are: bandages, tape, BENADRYL(super helpful in emergencies, especially if your pup has been stung by an insect), self-adhesive wraps, thermometer, cotton, Neosporin, poop bags, eye dropper, eye drops, and small scissors.

20.  Blink Indoor Camera

Technology has made owning a dog a lot easier.  I don’t use this daily, but it was extremely helpful to determine how my dogs reacted when I left the house.  It gave me peace of mind knowing if they were anxious or calm and how to remedy the situation for the next time I went anywhere. 

21.  Portable bowls

22. Collar and Leash

23.  Poop Bags!

24.  Spot Cleaner

25. Vinegar

This is a great cleaning device when you don’t have any spot cleaner on hand!

26. Dog Seat Belt

Not only does this protect the driver and passengers, but it protects your dog from flying through the windshield should an accident occur, or even an abrupt stop! In addition, it safeguards an excited pup when it's time to exit your vehicle, keeping them tethered until you can grab hold of their collar or leash.

27. Dog stretcher

Having big dogs is not always easy, especially if they need to go to the emergency room but can't walk. Amazon sells everything from gurneys to stretchers. One hopes they never have to use it but, as they say, it's better to have something and not need it, than to need it and not have it!

28. Tooth Brush and DOG toothpaste

I've written a blog on oral hygiene for dogs. Please click on the link below this blog to read up on the Importance of Oral Hygiene!

29. Baby Gate

Even the most well-behaved dogs need to be confined sometimes, especially if workers are at the house or if your dog gets overzealous at times. Having one of these on hand is very helpful. I had to use this when my dog had TPLO surgery. It was a life-saver.

30. An Identification Tag

Since the invention of the micro-chip, we've been given a certain degree of peace-of-mind. Still, I believe our dogs need to wear ID tags, just in case they decide to venture off on their own.

I hope this list of 30 Essential Items for Dog Owners helps you or someone you know!

It's also crucial to dog-proof your home. This might not be entirely necessary for some dogs, but it's helpful for those with curious minds.  I found the best way to do this is to get down to a dog’s eye level.  (Yes, I’m serious)!  See the home as they see it and note what possible things can be of interest to them.  One dog I owned tried to chew electrical cords when it thundered.  As you might have guessed, I went around my house hiding each and every cord! I have put the link to a post about Pet safety and comfort in the home at the bottom. See Recent Posts.

Dogs enrich our lives with every tail wag, sloppy doggy kiss and cuddles.  They don’t ask for much, but deserve the world.

If I’ve missed anything on this list, please feel free to comment!

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