The Complete Guide for New Dog Owners in 2021

So you just got a new dog. Congratulations!

Dogs are great, aren’t they? They’re so nice to have around your home. They require some essential items, though. We list below the top categories of essential dog items for you and your pup that are usually needed to help get you started as a new dog owner in 2021! We will be updating this blog post over the next couple weeks so you will be able to click on each headline to dive deeper into each topic to see our recommended products in each category. Check them out to help give your pup the best life!

Dog Essential #1

Food

Food is of course essential for your dog. Picking the best food for your new dog can be a little hard to figure out. There are so many different types of dog food from dry kibble to wet canned to raw. There’s also grain free, low protein, hypoallergenic, low carb, vegetarian and vegan. There are many advantages and disadvantages to each type of diet so choose the best one for you and your pet. Check out our list of best selling dog foods. We also look deeper into all the different types of dog food diets.

Dog Essential #2

Treats

Dogs love to eat treats. Many breeds of dogs are very food motivated so treats can be great for training purposes. Not all treats are created equally, though, and many should be given very sparingly to ensure your dog’s health. Stay tuned for our list of healthiest dog treats or check out our list of best selling dog treats.

Dog Essential #3

Toys

There are a lot of different types of toys for your dog. There are squeak toys, furry toys, rubber toys, plastic toys, rope toys, training toys, and many others. It’s important to get your new pup a few different types of toys to see what they might like. It also depends on their age. A young puppy is more likely to enjoy a chew toy while an older dog might like a furry toy. It’s also important to purchase toys that are safe for your dog. Most pet specific toys are safe. You wouldn’t want to give your dog something that wasn’t a pet specific product, though, to ensure they aren’t chewing or playing with something hazardous or something that they can choke on. Check out our list of the best toys to keep your dog busy all day as well as the best selling dog toys.

Dog Essential #4

Clean Up and Bathroom Training

Probably one of the least enjoyable parts of owning a dog is picking up after them. If you have the right tools for the job, though, it can help make it just a little less of a chore. It’s best to keep on hand a good number of rolls of plastic bags to pick up their poop while you’re taking them for a walk. A shovel or pooper scooper may be best to have a home to keep your yard clean. You may want to keep some puppy pads are your house, too, if you have a young puppy who isn’t quite potty trained yet. For tips on the best ways to potty train your puppy, check out our post on the easiest ways to potty train!

Dog Essential #5

Collars and Leashes

Your dog will need lots of exercise. If you don’t have a home with a yard then you’ll likely be taking lots of walks around your neighborhood or to the dog park. For that you’ll need a good leash and collar that both you and your pup will enjoy. From standard length leashes and collars made from leather or nylon to the retractible style leashes, you may want to have different collars and leashes for different occasions or activities. This is our pick for the best leashes and collars available today. You can find that article soon here on our blog.

Dog Essential #6

Beds

You’ve got a great bed in your room that you love. Your dog should also be comfortable when they have some downtime as well! Choosing a great bed for your dog is fairly straightforward but their are a few different kinds to choose from. There are standard foam beds, premium memory foam beds, beds that are elevated off the ground, round beds, rectangle beds, flat beds and also beds with sides. Get your pup the most comfortable bed that you think they will enjoy the most. Our top picks can be found here on our blog very soon.

Dog Essential #7

Grooming Supplies

Keeping your pup groomed and clean will not only keep them happy but it will ensure your happiness as well. Dogs can be smelly if they aren’t properly groomed so make sure you have some essential grooming products on hand to make sure you can keep them clean and happy. Soaps and shampoos are great for keeping them clean while brushes and trimmers are good for the grooming side of things. Coming soon will be our list of the best selling grooming products.

Dog Essential #8

Feeding Supplies

Your dog loves to eat, right? Then you’re going to need a great set of food and water bowls for your pup! A food storage container is also great to keep your dog’s food fresh and delicious. There’s nothing worse than buying a huge bag of dog food, because it’s cheaper to buy in bulk, than to have the last half of it go bad and your dog won’t eat it. You may even want to get a special water fountain for your dog to ensure they have the best drinking water! Our favorite feeding supplies will be posted soon.

Dog Essential #9

Health Supplies

You’ve done all you can to ensure your furry friend is healthy and well taken care of so you’ll probably want to be sure they’re taking the right vitamins and health supplements, too! Different breeds sometimes require different supplements so make sure to do your research when looking at the best vitamins for your pup. Special chew toys and treats specifically designed to help clean your pup’s teeth can also be found in this section. Check out our favorite supplements and where to buy them coming very soon.

Dog Essential #10

Doors, Gates, Ramps, and Crates

If your pup is small or older, you may want to get them a ramp to help them into your car or bed. A ramp can help minimize any leg, hip, joint, or back pain as well. Gates are great for keeping your dog in the section of the house that you want to keep them in while a door can work really well for allowing your dog in and out of your house whenever they need without you needing to be there to let them out. Crates are great for when your’re traveling with your pup or away from home and you need to keep him corralled. All of our favorite doors, gates, and ramps, will be posted soon. Check out our top dog crate picks, though!

We hope you found this guide for new dog owners in 2021 useful. We would love to hear your feedback and what you think is an essential product for dog owners! Please leave it in the comments below. We can’t wait to hear what you have to say!