Basic Dog Necessities

Before you even bring your new pup home, you'll need to make sure that you have all of the proper dog medications. Depending on where you get your dog--from a breeder, a shelter, a pet store or maybe a friend--you may need to have him vaccinated. This is not just for his benefit--it's also important for the human population. Most states have laws that dogs be vaccinated against rabies to make sure the disease doesn't spread through the dog and human populations. You should also check with your vet about any other shots your new pet may need. And that's another point--you must find a trustworthy vet. Talk to friends and neighbors who own dogs to get names and contact information.

On top of vaccinations, you'll need to administer a few ongoing prescriptions to your dog. Most domesticated animals have health issues that require regular pet medicine. Two of the most prominent doggie problems are heartworm and fleas. Heartworm is a parasite that gets into your dog's blood via mosquito bites and will eat away at his heart. The most popular medicine to prevent heartworm is probably Heartgard. Fleas (and ticks) are a less serious problem for your dogs long-term health, but they can be a real annoyance to your pet, and to you yourself. These bugs are no respecters of species barriers! Pick up some Frontline Plus or another brand to protect your dog and your home. Finally, if you've adopted an older dog, perhaps from a shelter, he may have arthritis or other pain-causing diseases. You'll need pain medications specifically formulated for dogs--you can't just feed them your own ibuprofen. Deramaxx is one of your options.

One of the next things you'll need, of course, is dog food. There are many options out there and open to you. Everything from well known, mass produced national brands, to smaller organic and local products, to making your own dog food right at home. If you're interested in the latter option, you'll need to do some serious research. Don't trust just any old recipe that you find on the internet. A living creature's diet needs to be balanced and appropriate to its species. Consult your vet about her ideas on homemade dog food. If you're like most dog owners, though, you'll be buying dog food from a trusted manufacturer. This doesn't let you off the hook from doing research, though. Not all manufactured dog foods are created equal. Some can make your dog sick, or even kill him, while other companies may produce a decent formula, but they treat the animals the test the food on badly. Check out PETA's website for information on animal cruelty issues. Then check out dog food review websites for a low-down on popular brands. Evo dog food is one that I'm familiar with and that has a very good track record. It is a grain free dog food designed to match a dog's natural diet.

Finally, you'll need an assortment of equipment to take care of your dog. Of course one of the first items you'll think of is a collar and leash. Again, not all products are created equal. This site gives a rundown on the different types of collars and leashes. Once you bring your dog home, you'll need somewhere for him to sleep. This can be something as simple as an open box with a snuggly blanket, to cool dog crates and orthopedic dog beds. If you have a small dog and plan to bring him with you on daily trips, or if you don't want your dog running free in the house constantly, you'll definitely need a dog crate.