The beauty of adopting is the options you have. Sometimes a puppy is the right choice, but there are plenty of adult dogs who are potty trained and looking for loving homes.

Adopting a dog is FREE tomorrow during Clear the Shelters Day.

Adopting a dog from a local shelter can be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do. We encourage you to be prepared for all that your new fur baby will need upon coming home. Check out this list of the Top 10 items to secure after bringing your new family member home.

Ten Things to Buy After Adopting a Dog

There are more than ten, but these items will get you going initially. You can add on as you both get used to each other.

  • Dog food
  • Food and drinking bowls
  • Dog Bed
  • Dog collar, ID tags, and leash
  • Combs, brushes, shampoos, sponges, nail clippers and other grooming tools
  • Poop scoops and bags
  • Exercise Pen
  • Dog toys
  • Dog chews and treats
  • First-aid kit

 

  1. Dog Food

Dogs need nutritious food and though meat does form a large part of their diet, they need to get nutrients from non-meat foods too. Grains, veggies, and fruits give them the necessary minerals, vitamins, and fiber, and good dog foods should contain those too. The needs of different dogs are different.

Adopting a shelter dog is truly a life-changing experience, for you and the canine. Enter this relationship wisely.

  1. Food and Drinking Bowls

Food and water bowls are important. You can see how furiously they wag their tail when they smell food or hear cans being opened. Getting the right food and water bowl for your pet ensures that it eats at the right pace without any postural and joint problems.

 

  1. Dog Beds

Since dogs spend a large part of their time sleeping, it’s essential that dog beds are comfortable, durable and relaxing. Your pets should be able to stretch or curl up whenever they feel like it. The size and shape of the beds also matter as they determine the comfort level.

Can’t adopt? Your local shelter is always looking for donations and volunteers.

  1. Dog Collar, ID tags, and Leash

 By nature, dogs are playful- when you walk your dog, you need to keep it on a leash so that it doesn’t take off at top speed whenever something catches its fancy. Dog collars help to keep your pet safe and ID tags ensure that lost dogs are returned to the owner.

 

  1. Dog Grooming Tools

All dogs need to be groomed so that their coats remain healthy and allergies are kept at bay. Nails need to be trimmed, coats need to be brushed to prevent tangles and excessive shedding of hair. Do remember that different breeds have different grooming needs and thus different dog grooming tools.

 

  1. Poop Scoops and Bags

If you own a dog then you need to arm yourself with poop scoops and bags to get rid of dog poop hygienically. It makes the act of cleaning up during walks or playtime, simpler and less smelly. It may not be fun but it’s a clean way out of a sticky situation.

 

  1. Exercise Pen

Dogs need to exercise and be free to move about. An exercise pen allows them to stretch their legs if they so want and at the same time remain confined so that you can keep an eye on them. As the pens are extremely portable, they suit pet owners very well.

 

  1. Dog Toys

If you want to see your pet stay energetic, you need to get them dog toys that stimulate them into activity. They have fun, stay entertained and are kept happy and busy through the day. After all, it can’t be fun to be confined to a pen or the house throughout the day, every day.

 

  1. Dog Chews and Treats

Dogs love to chew and if they are teething, the chewing is more aggressive. Dog chews and treats help keep their teeth clean, their breath fresh and jaws, strong. The right chews and treats retard the formation of plaque and keep dogs satisfied and content.

 

  1. First-Aid-Kit

If you own a pet, then you should be prepared for accidents and injuries. That’s why having a first-aid-kit is a no-brainer. Apart from first-aid pet supplies such as absorbent pads, gauze, thermometer, tweezers, antiseptic wipes, swabs and more, you need to have the phone number of your vet and emergency clinics. The kits come pre-assembled but you can make your own by choosing what you want.

In conclusion, adopting a dog is only half the story- the other half is making it feel at home in its new environment. That can happen only when you ensure that your pet has all it needs to keep it happy and comfortable.

To learn more about adopting a pet in San Diego, reach out to the County of San Diego here.