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Health Checklist
New Puppy Checklist and Things to Consider
Puppies and dogs are a lot of work. They also come with a large shopping list. Below is a checklist of some of the necessary items that you’ll need for your furry friend.
Shopping List
- Food (canned and/or dry)
- Food and water bowls
- Treats (such as small cookies/biscuits rawhides, etc.)
- Collar and/or harness
- Leash (recommended 4-6 foot. Offered in various types such as retractable and nylon. It’s also not a bad idea to have a spare leash to keep in the car or in case you lose one.)
- ID tag with pet’s name, your phone number and/or your address
- Carrier (if a small breed) and/or kennel (for at home)
- Dog bed
- Plastic poop baggies and/or pooper scooper
- Variety of toys (balls, ropes, chew toys, Kong, etc.)
- Absorbent house-training pads (for potty training)
- Baby gate (if there’s areas in the house you don’t want them)
- Flea and Tick Products
- At home grooming supplies (optional)
- Nail clippers
- Shampoo/Conditioner
- Brush/comb
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Scrub brush
- Non-toxic odor neutralizer
- Towels
Some of the items you may need to wait and get - things such as the ID tag and collar. You may also want to check with the breeder/shelter to see what food they are on before you adopt to make sure you have that food as well to mix with the food you would like to switch them too. This will help with nausea and stomach indigestion.
Things to Consider
There are other things to consider when you get a pet. Costs such as vet bills, time needed to care for them, and even your vacation plans. We recommend making a list similar to the one below and go over them. This will help you decide if you’re really ready for a furry one!
- Do you have other pets? If so, how will they react to the new one you’re bringing into the house?
- Is your home suitable for the pet you’re considering?
- How will your dog affect your work/social life?
- What/where do you plan on doing/taking your dog when you have to leave town?
- If you live with others, how do they feel about having a dog in the house?
- Do the ones you live with have any allergies to dogs?
- What breed are you considering? Different breeds require different types of lifestyles. Do some research.
- Is there going to be one person ultimately responsible for the health of the dog or are you all going to be responsible?
- If needed, how are you going to deal with behavioral issues?
- If you have small children, do you feel safe having a dog around them?
- How do you plan on paying for the vet bills? Will the cost of shots, spay/neuter and other surgeries and health issues fit into your budget?
Vet costs can be more than you think. You first have to include getting them updated on all their vaccinations (read the recommended vaccinations link for more information). If they’re not spayed or neutered, it’s recommended to get them fixed to help prevent future illnesses. Some animals even require medications due to sicknesses such as thyroid issues, urinary tract infections and ear infections. Sometimes these medications are lifelong.
Dental care is something dogs need too, just like us. They too get plaque and tartar build-up and need to undergo a dental procedure like we do to make their teeth shiny and new again. Without proper care, plaque and tartar build-up can cause infections like gingivitis and even heart issues. Their mouth is just as sensitive as ours. If we’re worried about our teeth, why wouldn’t we worry about theirs?
Grooming is something certain breeds require. Some owners feel capable of doing it at home but others do not. If you’re one of the owners that doesn’t, grooming is yet another cost to add onto your pet’s needs. For more information about grooming and the grooming services we offer, please visit our grooming tab or give us a call.
Fleas and ticks are yet another thing you have to look out for. Ticks are more of a summer issue, but fleas can hop around all year long. Flea and tick products are offered to protect these pesky things from our new friends. It’s better to have them on a year-round treatment to prevent your loved ones from getting them. Click on the parasites tab or give us a call for more information.
Don’t put off your pet’s checkup.
Check one more thing off your to do list and schedule your pet’s vaccination, checkup, and more right now.