6 Essentials for Every New Dog Pawrent

Stephanie Wan Editorial Date:

Congratulations! You’ve decided you’re ready to welcome a new member into your family, and a furry bundle of joy is about to arrive in your home. Besides preparing your heart for all the love you're about to receive, you also need to prepare all the essentials to make the transition as smooth as possible for everyone. Here are 6 items that every new dog pawrent needs!

1. Put a Collar on It

Make things official with a collar and a name tag for your new pup! A name tag with your phone number on it makes sure that if your dog accidentally gets lost, whoever finds them will know how to contact you right away. Choose from a selection of collars to find one that matches your pup's size and personality. Add a matching leash to complete the set! The High5Dogs Leader Leash is 140cm long, a convenient length for your every day neighborhood walks. It can be converted into a fixed-size collar/leash combo or a semi-slip leash if you need to quickly leash your dog.

2. Feed the Dog

Whiskers N Paws offers every kind of dog food for every dog and lifestyle. Find a delicious meal that your dog will love, while providing them with important nutrients to help them grow healthy and strong. One of our favourites is Open Farm Dry Dog Food! Open Farm products are made from quality whole ingredients and ethically sourced proteins. Recipes are available for all life stages from puppy to adult to senior, so you know your pup is always getting the exact nutrients they need. If you prefer something in addition to kibble, try something from our wet food, freeze-dried, dehydrated, or frozen food collections! And don’t forget a treat for those special occasions!

3. Bring Out the Fancy Dishware

Keep things stylish and practical with Loving Pets Bella Bowls. Available in 3 colours and 4 size options, these bowls have a stainless steel interior and a colourful poly-resin exterior. Their rubber bases prevent spilling and are perfect for your dog’s food and water. Make sure to always have water available for your dog, especially for those with a high activity level or who are fed with freeze-dried or dehydrated food. If you're feeling extra fancy, try out a water fountain to provide constant fresh water to keep your pup hydrated!

4. Nature Calls

Set your dog up for potty training success with a wee pan and wee pad. Teach your dog to go in the designated toilet area and keep your floors clean. If your pup likes to lift their leg, the L-shaped wee pan from IRIS will protect your walls as well. Monster Paws Wee Pads are super absorbent, with a new Blue Gel-Core technology that turns liquid into gel immediately, preventing tracking and dripping. It also extends the use of each pad, producing less waste.

5. Clean Up

With potty training comes the inevitable accidents. Keep your house fresh with Skout's Honor Professional Stain & Odor Remover. Its BioKore technology lifts and dissolves stains while being non-toxic, rapidly biodegradable, eco friendly and free of harsh chemicals. It cleans better than your traditional stain and odour removers, but is friendlier for the environment!

6. Playpen

As a new resident in your home, your pup may not know which items are toys and which are not. Keep your furry friend and personal possessions safe by using playpens and gates so that they don't accidentally find some off-limitsunintended treasure. Petmate Exercise Pens are easy to set up anywhere in your home, and are equipped with a double latch door for safety. Choose from heights of 24” to 42” to meet your needs. Each panel is 24” wide and can be configured into a square, rectangle, or octagon shape, giving your pup lots of space to play and relax. Make it a comfortable area by adding a bed, toys, and water! When not in use, the playpen can be folded down for convenient storage.

Whiskers N Paws has all your healthy pet care needs covered, so you can focus on the most important thing: having fun with your new family member! Visit our store to find more products, hand-picked with care for your furry friend. You can even visit our resident adoptable puppies and apply to bring them home!