This was a hard list for me to curate since my girlfriend and I treat our dog, Scooby, like he is our literal child and he is very spoiled. Therefore, the word “need” should be considered loosely. However, everything on this list I think has really helped us and him and just generally makes life easier.
Keep in mind once again, I am a self-proclaimed doggie expert. I am not a trainer or a veterinarian, so make sure you consult the appropriate people if you feel necessary! Also, I am not sponsored and none of these products or services are paid promotions or anything like that, they are just simply things I like and find essential! [links to the products will be included.]
Chewy.com: A chewy account is a must have for any dog owner or pet owner in general. You can get everything you could possibly need here: food, treats, toys, shampoo, collars, beds, etc. and it delivers right to your front door [or front office if you live in an apartment]. I think it is worth it even if you just use it to order food. I’m sure everyone knows how annoying it is to go out of the way to the pet store, lug around a 40 pound bag of food, put it in your car, and then bring it into your house. Chewy also has auto-ship. This means if you go through a bag of dog food once every 3 months, you can set it to ship automatically. Chewy really just makes everything easier, and they frequently have sales as well!
Seresto Collar: The Seresto collar is what I have found to be most effective and convenient for flea and tick prevention. Scooby has had Seresto collars since he was little and he has never once had a flea or tick. It is more effective than Frontline in my opinion because my family dogs used to be on Frontline and one of them would get ticks every now and then. Since switching to the flea collar, he has not had any ticks. It is also more convenient than Frontline because Frontline has to be put on your dog once a month and leaves them slimy and greasy, whereas the Seresto collar just needs to be changed every 8 months [or 6 months if your dog swims a lot or you bathe them with it on]
Small Dog or Large Dog Harness: Harnesses are important for your safety as well as your dog’s safety. If you have a dog that pulls or you have to pull them, collars can cause neck injury. Easy Walk harnesses are the best harness for large dogs because the clip in the front works to correct pulling. I have my top picks linked for small and large dogs, but whatever harness works for you and your dog no matter their size is better than just walking them with a collar!
Dog Bowl Holder: Dog bowl holders can be used for large or small dogs [just make sure you check the height of it]. They are beneficial because the bowls stay in one place and don’t slide all over the floor, it is better for your dogs digestion, and it looks nicer. Before we had the bowl holder, Scooby would frequently throw up right after eating. We took him to the vet several times and nothing was wrong with him. Since having the bowl holder, he has not thrown up right after eating once! The holder pictured and linked is the one I have for Scooby and I really like it, but you can always shop around! There are many styles, sizes and colors.
Freeze Dried Treats: If your dog is a finicky eater and sometimes does not want to eat their food [like Scooby], I recommend this product for you! I first heard about these treats while working at a doggie daycare. We had them for the dogs that sometimes did not want to eat their lunch. They’re a good food topper because you can easily crumble them in your finger tips and they last a long time because a little goes a long way! If your dog has a chicken allergy, this brand also has duck and other options. Also, you can of course just give it to your dog as a treat. It serves a dual purpose and I definitely recommend!
Hear Doggy Toys: Hear doggy toys are essential if your dog likes plush squeaky toys but you can’t stand the squeaking sound. It makes a squeak that falls in the range a dog can hear, but humans can’t. I was a little skeptical at first. I thought it was a scam and just did not squeak at all. But, when I saw Scooby playing with it and squeaking it [even though I could not hear it] I knew that he could hear it! They are also pretty durable, and if your dog likes plush toys just to destroy them, it is not full of stuffing so it won’t make a huge mess either!
Classic Kong: A classic Kong is a must have for dog owners! They come in various sizes so no matter how big or small your dog is, this is a toy that can be utilized by anyone! It is a great toy to keep your dog busy and have them work for their treats. I suggest filling it with peanut butter or plain yogurt and freezing it. To make it more interactive, put a few training treats in it so they have to push it around and try to work out how to get the treats out of it. I personally like the classic Kong, but kong is a great brand with a lot of different interactive toys so you can definitely shop around and find other Kong toys that suit your dog’s needs as well!
Pet Wipes: These pet wipes are a great hack to clean up your pup in between baths. They work great to wipe away dust and dirt after playtime in the yard or the dog park, and they work surprisingly well. They are not a substitute to bathing your dog, but they work well to wipe away dirt on the go or if they have recently had a bath and you don’t want to bathe them again too soon. I am careful about what I put on Scooby’s skin because he does have sensitive skin and allergies, but these do not irritate him at all! We also use a special shampoo when we bathe him, which I also recommend to anyone with a dog that has sensitive skin as well.
FURminator Short/ Long Hair Dog Brush: FURminator brushes are the best tools to combat shedding in my opinion. Scooby has short hair and I am always surprised and impressed by how deep the FURminator goes and how much hair comes off of him. Just make sure you buy the right brush for your dog’s hair type because the long hair and short hair brushes are different!
Greenies: If you are able to regularly brush your dog’s teeth, I’m impressed! However, if your dog sprints away from you as soon as you take out the tooth brush like mine does, Greenies are a happy medium! Greenies are a tasty, healthy treat recommended by vets for dental care. I have never met a dog that doesn’t love Greenies. Just make sure you follow the. weight recommendations on the box and get the right size for your pup! Also, remember to get your dog’s teeth cleaned once a year at the vet!
I hope these recommendations were helpful, but if you need suggestions on any other products, pop over to the contact page and ask me anything. I am more than happy to help!
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