Puppy Prep: A Checklist for New Puppy Owners
Welcoming a furkid can be an exciting (and slightly daunting) experience. Preparing your home for the arrival of your puppy can be complex – if you’ve made your way through any Singapore pet shop or scrolled through online pet shops, you’ll find countless products available for your furkid.
However, puppies tend to require only a little more than the basic as they grow. If you’re preparing to make a home for a pup, here are seven essentials that’ll you need to own.
Adjustable Collar and Leash
A collar is essential for both puppies and adults. However, at a young age, an adjustable collar works best to ensure that it is the best fit for your pup.
As for the leash, it should be one that’s strong and comfortable for you to hold. While your canine is still a pup, shorter leashes tend to be sufficient. This length will grow as your pup grows and starts its obedience training as well.
A Crate
When choosing the crates, ensure that it has sufficient space for your pup to stand, roll around and stretch – however, there should not be too much space. Crate training can be effective, if done correctly, but should never be used as a form of punishment. When done positively and right, your dog will be potty trained in no time.
Water and Food Bowls
Safe, sturdy and heavy, stainless steel bowls are highly recommended for pups. The weight of these bowls prevents your pup from toppling it over and carrying it all over your house. Stainless steel bowls are also generally easier to clean and sanitise, creating a more hygienic environment for your canine. You can find these bowls in Singapore pet stores or online pet stores.
Food and Treats
For the first 12 months, puppies tend to consume slightly more food. If you’re unsure of what or how to feed your canine, seek the expertise of vets in Singapore. It is crucial to ensure that your pup receives the required nutrients in order to develop to healthy adults.
Grooming Supplies
A comb, shampoo and conditioner, nail clippers, toothbrush and dog toothpaste, are some of the grooming essentials for pups. You may wish to start grooming it by trimming its nails, cleaning its ears and brushing its teeth. It’s important to encourage this practice early on in order for your pup to be familiar with the routine, easing the process for future grooming sessions with the professionals.
Identification
An ID tag containing your dog’s name, date of birth, and your contact information is one of the most common forms of identification dog owners use. But, some take it a step further and use microchips injected between the dog’s shoulder blades. These microchips contain all the necessary information about you and your dog. Regardless of which identification path you choose, don’t forget to update these details should there be any changes.
Toys
Pups don’t just need toys because they are playful, but toys also help them grow and develop physically and mentally. Whether its a chew toy, soft toy, squeaky toy or a rope, it contributes to your pup’s growth and development. Considering its young age, puppies are highly likely to destroy some of its toys during playtime. Once these toys are destroyed, remove them immediately. Exposed squeakers and frayed parts of toys will pose as ingestible dangers to your pup. Stock up on a variety of toys for your pup to explore and choose its favourite as it familiarises itself with its fur-ever home.
