Dogs are a huge part of human culture. There is a reason they are called a man’s best friend. They give humans unconditional love and yet never ask anything in return except for some cuddles.
If you are planning to have a dog in your house, be ready to witness the best days of your life. But before that, you must ensure that you have all the essentials ready for your furry friend.
That being said, I have rounded up a list of things that you must keep in mind before you finally step out for shopping!
1. Dogs are no wolves
Earlier, there was a misconception that dogs were descended from wolves that led to people thinking that dogs are actually wolves at heart. Much later, it was cleared that both dogs and wolves have both descended from an extinct ancestor species. It was further also found that dogs are both behaviorally and metabolically different from wolves.
In fact, it was also proven that dogs and wolves share the same amount of DNA, as humans do with chimps and bonobos. So now, introspect and tell me: are you a chimp, or bonobo, at heart? No, right? Similarly, even dogs are not wolves!
So, if you ever come across a dog supply that talks anything about your dog’s inner wolf, it is a red flag.
2. Dogs’ needs are different from that of humans
This is common sense but oftentimes the unconditional love that we have for our furry little buds leads us to feed them what usually humans consume. Both dogs and humans need proper nutrition, exercise, rest, and emotional and mental stimulation.
That being said, the way these needs are to be fulfilled is extremely different in both humans and dogs. For instance, dogs can be fed the same food every day but for humans, it becomes quite monotonous.
So, in the future, do not let dog supplies fool you with advertisements that say otherwise.
3. Every dog is unique
Just because something has worked for your neighbor’s dog, doesn’t necessarily mean that it will also work on your dog. Some dogs love wearing cute sweaters while some find them irritating. Some find massages and daycare fun, some don’t.
Similarly, you need to know your dog’s likes and dislikes. Spend more time with your dog and pay attention to its daily activities and expressions. Once you can identify that, invest in the supplies that will fulfill your dog’s need and not your friend or neighbor’s.
Now, that we have discussed the points that you need to keep in mind before you head out to buy essential dog supplies, it is also important that I brief you on a few essential dog supplies that you must invest in:
1. Their food supplies
Dogs need a high protein diet mixed with few healthy fats and essential vitamins and minerals. All of this will be available in animal meat products for dogs.
Further, you must make sure that you buy food from a trusted dealer. This is because dog food is very easy to be adulterated that can harm your dog in ways you have never imagined. If you don’t know where to begin, you can explore and buy dog supplies at PETStock.
2. Water and Food bowls
A couple of stainless steel or ceramic bowls will serve the purpose but if you want something fancy, you can always explore more.
3. Leash and collar
When it comes to leashes and collars, there are endless choices in the marketplace. Right from retractable leashes, leashes with padded handles, reflective collars, or break-away collars – there are so many options available for you to choose from. It’s always wise to invest in a few of them right from the beginning.
Over to you…
Other than the ones mentioned above, there are innumerable dog supplies that you may want to invest in, including pet first aid kit, pet grooming brush, treats and toys, pet bed, toothbrush, and nail trimmer. The list is practically endless.
But before you step out to buy these essentials, make sure you know what your dog needs. There isn’t any standard product or a list of products that are applicable for all the dogs. Like I said, every dog is unique!