Some Basic Pet Supplies for Your New Pet

There are some basic supplies that you will need before getting a new pet. You want to prepare your home for your pet just as you would if you were about to bring home your first child.

You will definitely need dishes for your pet’s food. These don’t have to be made just for dogs or cats, but it is a good idea to designate certain dishes for them.

Bowls made for pets do have some advantages. Many have rounded bottoms, and often these are the easiest for pets to eat from, especially if they are eating canned dog or cat food.

Some pet dishes have rubber feet or rings around them to make them “skid-proof”, which is also a bonus. The round-bottom design makes the dish tip-proof as well.

When choosing pet bowls, stainless steel or ceramic are preferable to plastic. Plastic can leach toxic chemicals as they age. They are also harder to sanitize, as bacteria can invade the plastic as it wears. Plastic also scratches easily and cracks, and soft plastic can be chewed up.

A collar and leash is a necessity for dogs, and an option for cats. Cats can be taught to walk on a leash, and if you are planning on traveling with a one, then teaching it to do so can be a good safety measure. If you plan to let your cat go outside (not recommended), than a collar is a necessity, not an option.

Identification of some kind should be firmly attached to collars of both dogs and cats. Be sure to include at least your phone number and the name of the pet.

Another item you will want to provide is a bed. This may mean a place on your bed, or a bed made especially for them. Older dogs and cats might benefit from orthopedic bedding. This is usually made from “egg-crate” foam. You can buy a premium bed, or make your own from a piece of the foam and an old sheet or blanket.

Cats will often ignore any bed you buy for them and choose their own spot – usually your favorite chair or the middle of your bed. However, there are a number of cat beds available that made for the way cats like to sleep. They provide small, snuggly spaces, or are tent-like, offering a nice place to hide.

Most dogs will benefit from having some toys, and for puppies they are a must. Interactive pet toys allow you to spend “quality time” with your dog or cat while providing the animal with some exercise. These would include balls for dogs and wand-type toys for cats.

Chew toys are essential for puppies. They need something to ease the discomfort of teething and to satisfy the natural instinct to chew. Here is one area where buying new is preferred. It is not a god idea to give the puppy an old shoe, for example, to chew on, as that would imply that all shoes are puppy chew toys.

Squeaky toys can drive owners crazy, but they are good toys to leave for your dog when you go out. Many dogs enjoy throwing these toys up in the air and then pouncing on them. Just be sure your dog cannot easily chew the toy up and swallow the squeaker. Always supervise your dog when giving them any kind of new toy, and make sure that it is appropriate for that dog.

If you are planning on getting a new dog or cat, it is wise to have all the necessary pet supplies on hand before you bring the animal home.

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Elyse Grau is an herbalist and a long-time pet owner, well-versed in pet nutrition and feeding. She is the author of Pet Health Resource, your web guide to a healthy, happy dog or cat. The website strives to answer your holistic pet health questions through a large collection of articles.

http://www.pethealthresource.com

When I was in Devon we drove down lots of narrow country lanes with high hedges. Mum does not like these very much ‘cos you cannot see the other cars coming until the last minute. One day we came round a bend and found a bird standing in our path, and he did not move at all. We jumped out to see what was wrong and realised it was a young Sparrowhawk with an injury. Fine, but how can we help him? Mum said. Then a car came in the other direction and the man got out. He told us he was experienced in handling raptors, and he knew the local vet. He would take the bird there to get help. The man took his shirt off to wrap round the claws of the Sparrowhawk, but he could not go into town bare chested! so I donated one of my spare t-shirts to wrap the injured bird in. We were so relieved that the bird was going to be cared for. After my Dormouse Rescue adventure I am thinking of taking up full-time Animal Rescue work, do you think I would be good at it?

Went for a walk in Barnet yesterday evening and made new friends Jack and his dog Louis, a Cocker Spaniel / Springer Spaniel cross. Like me, Louis came from the Mayhew Animal Home which is one of the best animal shelters in England. Jack and Louis had been to the Dogs Trust Wag and Bone Show in Windsor, and they won third place in the Class “Young Owner’s Best Friend”. Well done, Jack and Louis.
Interesting, Mum recognised Jack’s Dad and they could not remember from where. Until he reminded us all that they both go to the same Betting Shop. I could have told them that!