As man’s best friend, it can be tempting to go overboard when shopping for a beloved dog who is very much part of the family. So many supplies fill pet shop shelves. It’s a good idea to figure out what’s necessary and what’s not before becoming overloaded with equipment.
Things to Buy
It goes without saying that whatever the type of dog, adequate and tailored nutrition should be a top priority, helping to keep the animal healthy and happy. There are many excellent brands providing specialised, breed specific diets which are easily available. In addition to good food, there are many other things that dogs need:
By seeking out a well-stocked tienda de animales, or vet, it’s easy to make a start on selecting the right dog equipment. Professionals are well placed to help narrow down the options and make those decisions a little easier. From toys to bedding, help is at hand.
Any dog will require a safe, warm and comfortable area to sleep and there are plenty of options, from padded dog blankets to plastic and fabric based beds. The requirements may vary somewhat, depending on the space available and the size of the dog, but a good bed will help a dog recognise boundaries and feel content in its surroundings.
Young dogs and puppies play more than older dogs so will no doubt appreciate plenty of toys to have fun with. Balls and squeaky toys are always popular as are frisbees and other items to throw and retrieve during exercise.
In order to access the local environment safely, dogs will also need a suitable collar and lead. These come in many shapes and forms and much of the decision comes down to personal preference.
Dogs need plenty of looking after, so grooming equipment is another good investment and items like clippers, brushes and special shampoos will be used regularly to keep any dog in tip-top shape.
In order to benefit from any of the specially designed pet food on the market, dogs of all shapes and sizes need a decent food bowl and a separate water bowl. Spares can be a good idea too. With a younger dog or one prone to chewing plastic bowls, it might not be ideal and metal could be preferable.
There are, of course, plenty of not so essential items including inventions like goggles, drinking bottles and pet clothes, as well as a number of pampering products which would not make it to the top of the priority list!
Dogs are a welcome addition to the family and provide companionship, fun and joy, so they deserve to be treated well and kept happy. Any good tienda de animales will be able to advise on an individual basis and specialists like http://www.hillspet.es/ are also available to help. There are some silly products on the market, but also some excellent ones that can provide any beloved pet with stimulation, comfort and protection, helping them feel right at home.
Benjamin Kennedy grew up surrounded by animals and now has a few pets of his own which make life interesting! He relies heavily on his local tienda de animales for supplies including nutritional products like those at hillspet. He writes for a range of websites and blogs on many pet-related subjects.
