Dog Supplies Every Dog Parent Needs
The pet supplies you need depend on multiple factors. For safety, the location and surroundings of your home are important to determine what measures to consider for keeping a dog outside the home. The dog's size and personality can also play a role in the types of equipment and toys you're looking to buy.
There are many different options for containing your dog — the one you should choose depends on your needs and the dog’s temperament. You may need one or more containment systems to ensure your dog is safe and happy.
1. Dog Crates
There are dog crates for all kinds of pets, but they're best for those who are anxiety-ridden, hyperactive or overly aggressive. It's best to introduce a dog crate as a puppy, but with patience and time, an older dog can learn to use a crate as well.
The dog crate you'll need depends on the size of your dog, as well as how you'll use the crate. Crates are made from plastic, metal, wood or wire. And they can be portable, collapsible or made for vehicles. If you'll be flying with your pet, review the approved pet carrier guidelines of the airline you're traveling with. To help find the right crate, here are some guidelines:
- Your dog must be able to stand up inside the crate without ducking their head.
- The length of your crate should be 1-1/2 times the length of the dog when fully grown. If you own a puppy, do a bit of research to understand how big they will become.
- Notice how the dog likes to sleep. Does your dog stretch out on their side? Curl up in a ball? The more comfortable the dog is in the crate, the happier they'll be to use it.
- For puppies, having a crate that's too big will make housebreaking harder. Too much space allows them to make a mess in their crate and still have room to rest. The best option, in this case, would be to purchase an adjustable crate or a divider panel that you can enlarge as your dog grows.
2. Dog Houses
Dog houses provide a safe, secure shelter for dogs. And depending on your region’s climate, the dog house may also provide shelter from weather elements. The most important thing to consider when purchasing a dog house is placing it in the right spot. If it’s too hot, the shelter could overheat. If it’s too cold, the temperatures can affect your dog’s health.
If you're looking for a DIY project, check out our guide to building a custom dog house.
3. Outdoor Kennels
Depending on your region’s weather, an outside kennel or a dog pen is an effective way to contain your pet. When looking for the right outdoor containment system, look for ones that are completely closed in and come with a sunscreen top. In hot regions, you may want to look into adding an outdoor air conditioning unit or fan. Kennels can be made of wire or hard plastic — both are pet-safe. The only difference is how you plan on using your kennel. If you plan on toting around your pet, the plastic kennel is the better choice.
4. Invisible Electric Dog Fences
An electronic pet fence gives your pet more freedom and gives you peace of mind. Depending on the size of your yard, a system can be installed in a day, and training can be accomplished within a week. Electric pet fences are suitable for dogs that need lots of exercise or for owners who don’t wish to leave their pets in the house during the day. Before you purchase a system, determine how much area you want to be covered. Most basic systems include a transmitter with the potential to enclose an area of 25 acres. If you have a bigger lawn, high-powered transmitters are available. It's important to remember to change the batteries in your dog’s collar every three to six months. And for dogs who test the boundaries often, the batteries may expire sooner.
Check out our article on installing an invisible pet fence for more tips.
5. Pet Doors
Pet doors allow pets and owners a bit of freedom. The installation process only requires standard household tools. The most important part of the installation process is choosing the right size hole for your door. Pet doors range in size for different dogs (and even cats). The opening height should be two inches taller than the length from the top of the shoulders to the chest, just behind the front legs.
Need help with installation? Check out our how-to guide on installing pet doors and our buying guides on cat doors and dog doors.
6. Pet Gates
Pet gates are a flexible and inexpensive way to contain your pet. They come in many sizes and are designed for all the features in your house, including the top or bottom of the stairs, doorways and irregular openings. There are three types of gates. Tension-mounted gates require no tools to install and allow you to move the gate from one room to the next. While they're suitable for most environments, it’s recommended that you never use them at the top of a staircase. Hardware-mounted gates are permanent structures mounted to the wall with screws. They're strong and supportive, but can't be moved from room to room. Stairway-mounted gates allow you to restrict access to the stairs. Most stairway-mounted gates include a swing-top mechanism that prevents the gate from swinging over the stairwell.
7. Pet Beds
When you want your dog to refrain from sleeping in your bed or on furniture, a pet bed provides them with comfort or support while also being easy to access. Like regular beds, beds for dogs provide a balance of support and comfort for overnight sleeping. Some beds are rectangular and resemble mattresses, while others are round and encourage your pet to curl into a restful sleep. Choose machine-washable dog beds for easier cleaning.
8. Dog Toys and Treats
- Bones/Rawhide Chews: These edibles keep dogs occupied and satisfied all the same. Use of bones or chews allow dogs to keep plaque and tartar from building up — promoting healthy gums and teeth.
- Treats: Use treats to reward your dog for good behavior or to reinforce training. Some treats will help freshen their breath too.
- Balls: Elastic balls are sure to keep a dog active and on its feet for periods of time. Allow your dog to chase a ball around a room for a decent amount of exercise. For more energy, play a game of fetch with your dog in the backyard.
- Plush Toys: These soft dog toys test your dog's strength and endurance. Elongated plush toys allow dogs to be able to tug them for strengthening the jaw and other muscles, whether it's you or another dog on the other end.
- Laser Pointers: While cats are known to be entertained by laser beams, certain dogs also love chasing little red dots around the home too. Be sure there is plenty of space in the home for the dog to run without knocking something valuable over or causing injury. Some pointers may also include a feather, pom-pom or tassel at the end for additional fun.
Supervise your pet during play to make sure they stay safe. Be sure they don't swallow small pieces.
9. Food and Water Bowls
Each dog needs their own bowls for food and water. Most bowls are made of durable materials such as plastic, ceramic or stainless steel. For a skid-free bowl, look for some with rubber or silicone bases. Some bowls are even dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
Feeding stations allow the dog to eat and drink water on a raised surface to alleviate back and neck pressure. This provides comfortable eating and can help avoid health problems in the future. For hands-free feeding at certain times of day, consider automatic feeders that dispense the proper servings for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Be sure to keep the feeding area tidy with placemats. Placemats feature textures for trapping water to avoid slips and falls, as well as a raised border to keep food and water from getting onto your floor.
10. Leashes, Collars and Harnesses
Leashes allow you to easily control your dog outside your property by attaching to the dog's collar or harness. Traditional leashes come in leather or woven lycra or nylon in short lengths for keeping dogs out of trouble. Retractable leashes on the other hand allow your dog more mobility and freedom with a button feature to lock the dog to a certain distance away.
Of course, you'll want walking your dog to be easy and safe with a flexible way to maintain control. Collars come in a variety of colors, materials and other styles, and most provide a means of displaying an ID tag in case the dog gets lost. Like with other dog supplies, you'll need to choose the right size for your dog.
As an alternative to the collar, a harness goes around the dog's torso. A body harness doesn't apply pressure to the neck, so it avoids possible strangulation or discomfort during walks. Just like with a collar, be sure to look for one that will precisely fit — not too tight or too loose.