The Best Puppy Supplies
With a new puppy comes new responsibilities. It's important to make sure that you and your home are ready for everything it takes to raise a happy and healthy dog. From toys and food bowls to leashes and crates, you're going to need an arsenal of items for your new friend. To make your search easier, we've combed through the best puppy toys on the market.
What to Look For
In order to find the best puppy supplies, we asked ourselves the following questions: how important is this item? How durable is it? It is safe for a puppy? Our number one choice was the Voyager step-in harness, which is a necessity for taking your puppy on walks or to the vet, is made from quality materials, and has a design that is safe for your growing pet. Another incredibly important and popular item is a set of Earth Rated dog poop bags. You’ll be picking up little surprises daily, and these bags are our favorite because they’re eco-friendly and won’t tear easily. So keep reading to find more puppy supplies like these that are sure to help make puppy parent life even more enjoyable.
Voyager Step-in Harness
As far as we’re concerned, a high-quality harness is a must-have for all new puppies. From appointments at the vet to visiting friends and family, you’ll use it wherever you and your puppy go. This step-in harness in particular is a fantastic option. It’s made of mesh fabric that allows your dog to stay nice and cool during long walks or hikes. There are also reflective bands for a little extra safety. Getting it on and off your puppy is a breeze, too, and to help you keep it on your dog securely, it can be closed in three different ways.
Pros:
- This would be a great option for puppies with long fur. The design and placement of the Velcro and buckle are crafted to keep long fur from getting caught.
- As one solid piece, we love that this harness was made without any confusing straps to fight with.
Cons:
- We wish this harness was adjustable considering how quickly puppies grow.
Earth Rated Dog Poop Bags
These heavy-duty bags from Earth Rated are thick and completely leak-proof, so you never need to worry about getting poop on your hands or all over your trash can. You can even choose between unscented or lavender-scented ones. No matter where you and your pooch end up adventuring, these bags will be there to clean the mess.
Pros:
- We noticed that these poop bags are much easier to get open as compared to other brands.
- These bags are truly durable. If your puppy likes to do his business on mulch, these things can handle the sharp woodchips without any ripping or tearing.
Cons:
- While they are made with recycled materials, these bags are not easily composted or biodegradable.
Bluetree Dog Doorbells
Training your puppy to ring a bell when they need to go potty makes it a lot easier for them to communicate their needs. We also find that it cuts down on accidents. That’s why this two-pack of bells from Bluetree is an absolute must. The top of each strap loop goes right around the doorknob, making it easy to get up without hardware or tools. In addition, each one is equipped with seven bells that chime with the lightest touch, so even the tiniest pup can learn to use it.
Pros:
- These are bells are quite inexpensive for being made of such great quality, making them an excellent value you can’t beat.
- We really appreciate the sturdy nylon material as it prevents even the toughest little chewers from breaking the straps.
Cons:
- These doorbells are not rust-proof so we wouldn’t recommend that you use them outdoors.
Midwest Homes for Pets Crate
Safe and secure
Crate training your puppy is essential, even if you don’t plan to use it regularly, which is why we recommend this crate from Midwest Homes for Pets. It gives your dog a place to stay when you can’t supervise them, which in turn keeps them safe from eating things they shouldn’t or getting hurt. It comes in many sizes, and each one has a divider, which helps you with potty training. For a little added convenience, the tray at the bottom is removable for easy cleaning if there is an accident.
Pros:
- Unlike plastic crates, this metal crate folds flat so you can easily bring it with you on the road or store it once your new pup no longer needs it.
- We love that the larger-sized crates feature double slide-bolt latches as opposed to just one, for added security against any puppy escape artists.
Cons:
- While it does fold flat, be careful when collapsing this crate as the metal can pinch your fingers.
Midwest Homes for Pets Bolster Bed
Affordable and adorable
If you’re looking for a bed for your dog, our personal favorite is this bolster bed from Midwest Homes for Pets. It’s available in plenty of sizes, which means it works well for both tiny and giant breed puppies. Meanwhile, the super-soft fleece fabric makes it super cozy and comfortable for your puppy. You can put it in a crate on your furniture or even grab a few and situate them throughout your house.
Pros:
- When it comes to puppies that are still developing bladder control, the machine-washable factor of this bed is a gamechanger in making cleaning up frequent accidents much easier.
- The material is super soft and plushy, which puppies especially tend to enjoy as it allows them to feel more relaxed and comforted.
Cons:
- This wouldn’t be the best choice for those interested in a thicker, more supportive bed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I decide which puppy supplies are the most important?
You may be wondering which supplies are the most important, but the truth is that everything has its place. First, you’ll want to think about which food is best. You can often ask the breeder or the rescue which food they’ll be eating before you bring them home so that you can stick to that or transition from it slowly. Then, you’ll need a safe place to put them when you’re busy, like a crate. Finally, training tools and treats, beds, and other extras will come after you have the essentials.
When should I start getting my puppy supplies?
The best time to stock up on the necessities is before you bring your puppy home. That way, you have time to find the best deals and sales. It also gives you time to research and decide on what’s important to you. For example, if you want to switch their food, you can check out different options and decide which is best and where you can get the cheapest. You could also order online and have the time for everything to be delivered. If you wait until you have the puppy to shop for it, you may end up scrambling.
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