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New Dog Checklist: Supplies You’ll Need

Posted January 7, 2022 in General, Pet Blog by Rachel Champion

New Dog Checklist: Supplies You'll Need

Adopting a new dog is a day that will last in your memories forever. Between the cuddles and hugs, it is easy to forget a few essentials. That’s why we’ve put together a new dog checklist to help make sure you have everything you need to welcome your forever friend to their new home. Join us as we outline the things you need when adopting a new dog along with a few tips to help out along the way.

Dog Food and Treats

An image of a white labrador holding a food bowl in their mouth with a post it note graphic that says meals, food, treats, and food and water bowls.

Before bringing home your new dog, ask the shelter or previous owners what food they are eating. When you first bring them home, continue giving them dog food they are already used to. This can help avoid upset tummies and stress while they are acclimating to their new environment. If you have not asked a vet for a recommendation or are unsure what food they’ve been eating, choose food that meets the nutritional needs for their age. It’s also important to consider any specific dietary restrictions your new dog has when selecting dog food.

Also, don’t forget to stock up on dog treats! It’s a good idea to scoop up training treats along with any other type of treat you think your dog may like.

While shopping, make sure you pick up some food and water bowls! Whether you are looking for stainless steel bowls, automatic waterers and feeders, or elevated bowls like the GF Pet Elevated Wood & Metal Feeder, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Travel Supplies and ID Tags

An image of a boxer dog in a create with a post it note graphic that says travel and ID, collar, leash, crate/carrier.

When welcoming your new dog, it’s important to get them a collar that fits well along with an ID tag and leash. Not only are having these items great for walks, but ID tags help better ensure you and your pup will be reunited if they are lost. Microchipping your dog also helps make sure your dog has a better chance of making it back home if you two are separated.

Along with the items mentioned, it’s essential to make sure you have a dog crate or carrier for traveling and/or training. When looking for a crate, make sure there is enough room for your pup to move around comfortably. For more information on crate training, check out Jeffers Pet’s blog, Dog Housetraining 101.

Training Tools

An image of a white medium-sized dog with it's paw in a human's hand with a post it note graphic that says trainng tools, training treats, collar and training lead, treat bag, and training clicker.

Other essentials you may need include training tools, especially if you adopt a puppy. Training your dog helps form a bond between the both of you while correcting destructive behaviors. Even older dogs may need to be retrained or have a refresher course on their previous training in their new environment. A few training necessities to have on hand are:

For more tips on choosing the right training treat for your dog, check out Jeffers Pet’s blog, So Many Training Treats…How Do I Choose?

Flea and Tick Control

An image of a white dog with curly hair receiving a topical flea and tick treatment with a post it note graphic that says flea and tick control.

It’s important to keep your pup protected from fleas and ticks year round. Making sure you start your dog on a flea and tick control product as soon as possible helps avoid discomfort for your pet and potential flea infestations. When looking for a flea and tick control solution, there are plenty of options to choose from, including flea and tick collars, spot on treatments, sprays, and more depending on your pup’s preferences and needs.

For more flea and tick prevention tips, read How to Get Rid of Fleas: A Comprehensive Guide.

Bathroom Basics

An image of a chihuahua sitting on a potty pad with a post it note graphic that says bathroom, waste bags, and potty pads.

Welcoming home a new puppy? It’s a good idea to stock up on potty pads for housetraining. Whether you are adding a new puppy or adult/senior dog to your family, make sure you have waste disposal bags on hand for cleaning up after their messes.

It’s also important to keep a good stain and odor control solution in the house to help clean up messy accidents. An excellent product for quickly and effectively destroying odor is Jeffers X-O Odor Neutralizer Plus+. This odor remover works on a large variety of surfaces and is all-natural for a safe way to remove unpleasant smells. Nature’s Miracle Advanced Severe Stain & Odor Remover is great for deeply cleaning and removing stains and odors from various surfaces, including carpets, furniture, and more.

Grooming Supplies

An image of a dog in a bathtub with bubbles with a post it note graphic that says grooming and health, brush or comb, bathing supplies, and nail clippers.

Keeping your dog well-groomed is essential to ensuring their overall health. Make sure that you get a comb or brush that works well for their coat type. For more tips on how to choose the right brush for your dog, check out Jeffers Pet’s blog, At Home Dog Grooming: Tips for Brushing Your Dog.

Other basic dog grooming supplies you will need include shampoo and nail clippers. You may also want to consider getting pet wipes to help keep your pet looking great and smelling fresh between baths. Check out Jeffers Pet’s blog, At Home Dog Grooming: Tips for Bathing Your Dog, for more tips and product suggestions.

Also, don’t forget to grab a few dog dental care supplies such as toothpaste, a toothbrush for dogs, and dog dental treats such as Greenies. For a comprehensive list of dental supplies along with other dental care tips for dogs, read Dog Dental Care Products and Tips.

Rest & Play

An image of a medium-sized dog with a KONG toy in their mouth with a post it note graphic that reads rest and play, variety of toys, and dog bed.

Providing your pup with dog toys helps give them the mental and physical stimulation they need to help keep them happy and healthy. Help keep them entertained by providing various types of toys to play with, including plush toys, chew toys, interactive toys, and ball and fetch toys.

After a long day of play, your dog needs a comfortable dog bed to unwind. With so many styles to choose from, you can get them one bed or multiple for added spots to cuddle up around the house. Plus, you can also get them a crate bed for added comfort in their carrier.

Find a Vet

An image of a black and white french bulldog at the vet with a graphic that reads find a vet.

When adopting a new dog, be sure to find a vet as soon as you get a chance. Even if your dog is up to date on their vaccinations, it is still important to establish a vet in your area as soon as possible. You never know when an emergency can happen, and it’s best to be prepared. Plus, your new bud will need to have a vet for future checkups!

Also, it’s best if you set aside funds in case of an emergency vet visit. You never know when accidents can happen or sickness can strike, and it’s important to make sure you are prepared.

Bringing a new dog into your family is exciting, rewarding, and challenging all at the same time. The first time you meet, hold them, and the first time they boop you with their cute little wet nose will embed in your memories for a lifetime.

Congratulations on your new addition, and thank you for opening up your home to an animal in need!

Looking for more options for your new dog checklist? Browse Jeffers Pet’s full selection of dog supplies, including dog vaccines, dog vitamins and supplements, and more.

Still have questions about what to include on your new dog checklist? Renee Jones, Jeffers Pet Specialist, can help. Feel free to contact Renee by email at rsjones@jefferspet.com.

A graphic of a new dog checklist with supplies for adopting a new dog, including travel and ID, which includes an ID tag, collar, leash, crate/carrier. The checlist also includes bathroom basics which is waste bags and potty pads, meals, which are food, treats, and food and water bowls, grooming and health, which include brush or comb, bathing supplies, nail clippers, and flea and tick control. THe checklist also includes training tools which are training treats, collar and training lead, treat bag, and training clicker as well as rest and play which includes a variety of dog toys and a dog bed. Lastly, other items needed on a new dog checklist include find a vet, stain and odor remover, and dental care products.

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