There are very few things more exciting and worthy of celebration than the addition of a new dog to the family. When you add this new furry being into your home unit, you will want to make sure several vital dog supplies are in place to help make your pup’s transition a little easier. You might be surprised to find out that you can get a lot of great supermarket dog supplies on a budget, which are also easy to find – all in one place.
Forethought and preparation are the keys to keeping you grounded in the reality of your dog’s needs before you are distracted by his tons of kisses and boundless energy. There are just too many dog supplies that you'll need, and thousands of available doggy product options on the market.
Most of us pet parents are all on a budget, so price is certainly a concern. However, some deals are just too good to be true. Remember the old saying “you get what you pay for.” It holds true for supermarket dog supplies as it does with most commercial items.
Supermarkets are notorious for stocking some of the most popular dog supplies to accommodate our and our pets' needs. It's much more convenient for pet parents who want a one-stop shopping experience for quick and easy way to get puppy essentials. Supermarkets often sell quality dog products at cheaper prices than pet specialty stores.
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6 Cost-Effective Supermarket Dog Supplies Pet Parents Need for Their New Pups
1. Dog food and dog treats
The first thing you want to consider is what you're going to feed your puppy.
Dogs in different stages of life require a specific formula of dog food that fits their developmental stage. Puppy-specific dog foods are formulated to provide just the right amount of nutrition (particularly calcium) your growing young dog needs without adding too much in the way of fillers, by-products and extra calories.
While we’re on the subject of eatables a puppy requires, an important consideration is what kind of dog treats you want to give him. Will you be using puppy treats strictly for enjoyment or specifically as a training/positive reinforcement tool? Once you determine that, choosing the right kind of dog treats will be a snap.
How do you feed your dog?
Your puppy will need dog food and water bowls for mealtimes. There are many types of dog food bowls on the market and each has their own set of pros and cons.
However, the best choice comes down to two varieties – ceramic and stainless steel – and the type of bowl that's best: regular or elevated dog food bowls.
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In terms of materials used, ceramic is a sturdy, heavy dog bowl which is great because puppies are clumsy and have been known to tip their bowls over on occasion. But again, there is always a chance for the ceramic to chip.
Stainless steel dog bowls, on the other hand, are a bit more expensive (the good ones are) but are sturdy and easy to clean – and arguably the best choice for your dog. Although they may not look as attractive. You can get both types in supermarkets.
2. Dog crates and dog beds
The next thing you must consider is where and how your dog will sleep.
Dogs should have a clean, comfortable, and safe place to lay down at night (or even for an occasional nap). You may not think about this when you're thinking about shopping for supermarket dog supplies, but they actually have a good variety.
To learn more about why it's essential to have a good quality dog bed and how it benefits our pets' joints, listen to this podcast with two experts on health benefits of dog beds.
While dog beds are pretty essential to have at home for the comfort of your pooch, dog crates may be needed only in specific situations.
So will your pup stay in a crate?
This is a good time to think about whether or not you want to crate train your puppy. Crates offer a great opportunity for a safe and secure place for your puppy to sleep in, and a place to facilitate house training. Most dogs love crates, as we already know.
When choosing a dog crate, make sure that it is an adequate size for the breed. Fido should be able to stand up in the dog crate and have a decent amount of space between the top of his head and the top of the crate.
Ultimately, providing a large enough dog crate with a big, cushy pet bed is just what your puppy will need to get a good night’s rest and appreciate you even more.
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3. Dog walking supplies
One of the most common activities you and your are soon going to participate in together is simply going for a walk. In order to do that, you must have a dog collar and a good quality dog leash ready to go. The collar and leash are also effective training tools for early socialization.
As you’re training your pup to walk properly on a leash, make sure you keep the leash short so that you have better control. When he learns his manners on the leash, you can give him the freedom of a longer leash. Take a look at the below guide for more tips.
FULL GUIDE: How To Train A Dog To Walk On A Leash – Step by Step
Simple dog collars may seem unimportant, but they are actually essential.
Your dog's collar should be snug enough so that your dog cannot back out of it, but large enough for you to get 2-3 fingers in between the dog’s neck and the dog collar. And speaking of the best dog collars, one of the most important supermarket dog supplies to consider that goes well with collars is your dog's identification tag.
Of course in today’s modern age, dogs normally have identifying microchips implanted, but it’s still a good idea to have both the implant and the ID tag on the collar tag. For the most part, your pet's ID tag contains pertinent contact information for you should your dog ever run off. It helps to get him quickly returned to you.
RELATED: Don’t Lose Your Dog! Why Our Pets Need Dog ID Tags
4. Dog toys
This list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the necessity of a huge box of dog toys for your new puppy.
Depending on your financial situation, it may not be a huge box of puppy toys, but certainly several chew toys for dogs: squeaky toys and tennis balls are one of the favorites for most dogs, and a vital component to your puppy’s well-being.
A puppy’s toys enhance his experience of the world and his experience of you as his parent. For a teething puppy, make sure you have plenty of teething puppy toys on hand to help soothe his aching gums. Throw a few soft, fuzzy comfort dog toys into the mix along with some tennis balls and Frisbees, and your dog will be quite content.
BIG LIST: Top 25 Best Puppy Toys for Dogs that Chew A Lot
5. Pet-friendly dog cleaning products
Get ready for puppy accidents, because there will be accidents.
Let’s face it, puppies are cute, but they’re also highly messy at times, especially before you housebreak them. Most young dogs will rip things up around your house, they’ll vomit on the rug, and they’ll ‘potty’ on the floor.
There are ways you can train your dog to stop chewing furniture, thereby preventing him from destroying half of your home decor. It's one of the essential parts of introducing a puppy into a new home to avoid problems in the future. Your pup's “potty breaks” will also require some attention and dog supplies. Take a look at this link below.
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However, no matter how much you train them and housebreak your dogs, it's likely there will be messes around anyway. After all, they're still animals and accidents happen.
As such, it’s necessary for you to be armed with the best cleaning supplies now before it's too late and your flooring is ruined. The first thing you'll need is a good quality pet stain and odor remover that helps rid your carpet and other upholstery from your dog's urine/poop smell and stains. Most of them work well and do a fantastic job.
Once you decide on which pet stain and odor remover to purchase, make sure you get the one that's pet friendly and uses as many natural ingredients as possible. Remember that regular stain removers have a bunch of chemicals that are toxic to dogs and cats, so you must avoid them at all costs (even though they may be more effective and cheaper).
Finally, you can also consider the type of flooring for your pup. Many pet owners don't know that there's science behind choosing the best flooring for dogs (studies here). Not only that, but considering that you'll also have to be cleaning after your puppy, it would be smart to invest some thought and consideration beforehand.
WATCH THIS: How to Get Dog Urine Smell Out of Carpet (A Video Guide)
6. Dog grooming products
Finally, what about keeping our puppies clean and groomed as well?
One of the most common supermarket dog supplies pet parents buy is dog shampoo and other dog grooming products. Before your new family member arrives, pick out some puppy-specific dog shampoo (they're designed specifically for puppies' skin and hair), and a gentle dog brush and comb to keep your puppy’s coat looking shiny and clean.
If you plan on clipping your dog’s nails, it’s a good idea to invest in a dog nail clipper as well. All dog nail clippers work the same for puppies and adult dogs, so you just need a quality one. We've even done a comparison of the best dog nail clippers.
Don't rush with your puppy's nail clipping! Consult with your vet as to the best time to begin trimming your dog’s nails. If you start the process early, your puppy will grow used to it and their nails will never have a chance to get out of hand. If you need some advice on how to cut your dog's nails, I recommend to watch this video linked below.
FULL GUIDE: How To Cut Dog’s Nails 101 – Step by Step Instructions
Finally, the most important thing you should be looking to have ready for your dog cannot be bought in a pet store or supermarket. What is that?
Make sure you have an established relationship with a local veterinarian.
Your puppy will require a myriad of shots and vaccinations as he grows, as well as spaying or neutering. There will be times when he'll need emergency vet visit. Those occasions are not the time to go shopping for a good vet or supermarket dog supplies. Most dogs are very stressed during vet visits, but if you pick a great one, this may become easier.
Having decided on a local veterinarian ahead of time is the key to your puppy’s long-term healthy growth and well-being. Vets will soon become one of your best friends!
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