Pet Supplies Essential for Keeping Your Dog Happy

Shopping for pet supplies for your dog is not always easy. There are so many things to consider, including food, toys, general care, and more. A trip to the pet store, however, does not have to be so intimidating. This short guide will provide a list of the essential things you need to own a happy and healthy pooch.

Food

Every living thing needs food to survive, and canines are no exception. Simply picking any old brand off the shelf, however, is not a good idea. It is important that the animal gets a sufficient amount of nutrients and enjoys its meal. The nutritional content of food has a large impact on the animal and its development. For example, puppies are normally given soft food when they are newborns because their teeth and digestive tracts are not yet suited to hard foods. Once they reach a certain age, it is a good idea to switch puppies to dry food. If a dog refuses to eat for a couple days, feeding them soft food almost always helps bring its appetite back.

Toys

Dogs need to stay active in order to be healthy. Even if it is for only a few minutes a day, taking your dog on a walk or playing with them in the backyard can really improve their health and spirits. Toys are thus wonderful items to provide for your loving pet. The typical Frisbee is always a good idea, as a rubber balls for playing fetch. Bones are usually a good idea because dogs can spend hours chewing on them. There are even some bone brands that are coated in nutrients, allowing your pooch to have fun and get healthy at the same time. Squeaky toys are a must. Dogs simply love chasing these items around and hearing that continuous stream of squeaks.

General Care

Next to food, this is probably the most important category when considering which pet supplies to buy. Though they are not exactly high maintenance, canines do require a few goods to ensure their future health. Shampoos are incredibly important to your pet's wellbeing. While they certainly can make your pooch smell as fresh as a valley of sunflowers, that is not their main purpose. Shampoos contain a variety of medications today that help keep your animal healthy, such as flea and tick resistance. Even if your canine does not play around in tall grass all day, they are still at a risk of attracting insects through contact with other animals or general uncleanliness. In addition to their fur and skin, be sure to maintain your pet's teeth. Pretty much every activity a dog enjoys in life requires the use of their teeth. As such, proper dental care is essential in keeping a happy dog. If physically brushing your canine's teeth is not feasible, there are a variety of bones out now that serve the exact same purpose.

Shopping for pet supplies can seem overwhelming at first, but as long as you keep these few things in mind, you should have no trouble choosing the best products at your disposal for your furry friend.