Author: Stephanie Brown

Dog Food – This is preferably the brand your dog was eating prior to coming to your home to prevent tummy upsets. You can always work on transitioning him to a different dog food later. Food and Water Bowls – You’ve got to have something to serve your pupper his supper in, and a way to keep him hydrated. Collar and ID tag – Your dog is in a new neighborhood. If he gets lost, an ID tag can improve the chances of your pet being returned to you. Get tips for selecting the right collar for your dog here. Leash – This is a necessity for walks around the neighborhood and leash training. “It’s important to start setting the ‘house rules’ promptly, and this likely includes leash training,” Dr. Mitchell says. Poop Bags – Be the neighbor that always cleans up pet messes during walks. Dog Crate – It’s ideal for crate training and to give your dog a space to call his own. Dr. Mitchell recommends beginning crate training on the first night home. Read more about crate training your new dog here. Dog Treats – Keep plenty of dog treats on hand for rewarding good behavior and for bonding with your new dog. Dog Bed – A cozy dog bed should help your new dog feel comfortable in his new home. Toys – Provide your new dog with mental and physical exercise with different types of dog toys. Calming Aids – Help ease the transition for nervous or older dogs. Calming products for dogs include items like a dog calming collar or sprays infused with pheromones, apparel that provides constant pressure, and tasty calming supplements. Those are the basics for a dog of any age. As time goes on and you get to know your new family member better, you can customize the type of dog toys or dog beds or leashes to meet his specific needs and preferences. “Products beyond the first few days will depend a lot of the personality of the dog,” Dr. Mitchell emphasizes. And there are seasonal changes to consider. Depending on the weather and the time of year, dog supplies, like dog boots, can help avoid common issues, like cracked paws in dogs. You’ll also need to provide additional items and care specific to his life stage.,Bringing home a new dog can mean tons of sloppy kisses, snuggles and tail wags coming your way. And while you’re about to embark on an exciting new adventure as a family, it’s important to note that this transition can be a difficult time for your new addition. “Sometimes it can be hard to remember that moving into a new household can be stressful for a new dog, and it can take time for them to adjust,” says Dr. Sandra Mitchell, owner of All Creatures Veterinary Services in Bangor, Maine. “So, being careful not to overwhelm them initially can help them to adjust.” Dr. Mitchell recommends giving your new dog his own space, such as a small room or bathroom, providing him with downtime, and staggering introductions with family and friends so they happen over time, not all at once. It also helps to have basic dog supplies on hand to ensure a smooth transition. Of course, you’ll need the essentials, like dog food and poop bags (trust us, you do NOT want to be caught outside on a walk without one of those nifty plastic baggies). You’ll also need training tools, like a dog collar and leash for leash training or a dog crate or kennel for crate training.

If you’ve been spending a lot of time relaxing at home, binge-watching TV, you can probably skip a shower or two. (That’s what dry shampoo is for, right?) Just like you, your dog’s activity level impacts their bathing needs. How often to wash your pet The less they’re out and about getting dirty, the less frequent they’ll need a bath. “If [you use] a quality [pet] shampoo, followed by a conditioner, dogs can be safely bathed once a week or whenever they don’t smell nice,” Conner says. Cats generally require less bathing than dogs do, although it depends on the breed. “Cats—except breeds that produce excessive oil like the Sphynx—don’t require frequent bathing, though it is not dangerous for them,” says Conner, who also serves as vice president of the Professional Cat Groomers Association of America. Tips for washing your pet If your nose knows it’s time to give your pet a bath, Conner says to start by washing from behind the ears and working your way back toward the tail, saving the face for last. When rinsing, it’s the opposite: Start with the face to decrease the chances of shampoo getting in your fur baby’s eyes. Once you have washed and rinsed your pet completely, rinse again—yes, two rinses. “Shampoo or conditioner left in the coat will attract dirt, cause tangles and can irritate animals’ skin,” Conner says. And always use a shampoo and conditioner formulated specifically for pets. Conner recommends TropiClean’s Gentle Coconut Hypoallergenic shampoo and their Kiwi & Cocoa Butter Moisturizing conditioner.,It can be hard to find the time to take your dog or cat to the groomer. If your pet is looking a little rough around the edges, you can do some cat or dog grooming at home to keep them looking and feeling their best. Not to mention, it’s a great way to bond with your pet. “Pets enjoy being touched and paid attention to, so grooming can be pleasant if it’s a regular part of their routine,” says Daryl Conner, a Master Pet Stylist at Fairwinds Grooming Studio in Appleton, Maine. “Many people find it very satisfying to spend this type of time with their pet. Having a neat, tidy, tangle-free coat to admire and pat is pleasant, too.” From brushing to bathing, here’s a cheat sheet for pet grooming at home.

The humble dog collar. You might think it’s just a basic accessory, but dog collars serve many important purposes. Your dog’s collar holds your dog’s ID tag, which can help get them home should they run away. You can use it to attach your dog’s leash, providing a safe way to take them on their daily walks. It can even help your dog be seen better at night. Of course, it’s also a fashion statement—a way to express your and your dog’s unique personalities. Picking the best dog collar for your individual pooch can make all the difference in your daily lives. To help you choose the best dog collar, we spoke to certified dog trainer Irith Bloom, CPDT-KSA, and then assembled a group of trainers and editors to carefully review 21 of Chewy’s best-selling and best-rated dog collars, putting them to the test in real-world conditions with 10 dogs. During testing, collars were rated on the following criteria: fit, functionality, durability, ease of use, and attractiveness.

Humans spend about a third of our lives sleeping, which is why choosing the right mattress is such an important decision. Dogs sleep a lot too—12–20 hours, depending on their age—and purchasing a dog bed is an equally important decision. “We already know that good quality sleep is critical for human physical and mental well-being. The same goes for our dogs,” says Sarah Wooten, DVM, CVJ, a small animal veterinarian based in the Denver, Colorado, metro area. Dogs need quality sleep to restore and repair their bodies. Providing a supportive sleeping surface where your dog enjoys sleeping can make all the difference. “The quality of the bed can determine the quality of sleep and rest,” Dr. Wooten says. To help you find the best bed for your dog, we tested 25 of Chewy’s top-rated dog beds in real-world conditions. We rated each bed on the following attributes: function, durability, ease of cleaning, value, and style. The beds on this list are considered supportive, sturdy, stylish, and worth the spend.

Warm weather means lots of fun in the sun with your four-legged friend (dog beach! hiking! farmer’s markets!). But you need to know how to keep your dog cool in the summer. After all, it can take mere minutes for your dog to go from comfortable to dangerously overheated. When temps soar, it’s good to have some supplies at the ready to help beat the heat. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best-selling and top-rated cooling products for dogs. From cooling mats and beds to water bowls and fountains, these products are Chewy customer approved.

Remember the days spent handing out little Valentine’s Day cards to all the kids in your class? The kind you got from the drugstore that came in a pack of 30 and you’d spend an hour picking juuust the right one to give your crush? (Why was it always Simba and Nala from “The Lion King”?) We’re not in elementary school anymore but you can still send a smile to someone special with one of these pet-inspired Valentine’s Day e-cards we created just for you (because we like you, like fur-reals). Download one of the free Valentine’s Day e-cards below and either text, email or DM it to the one who has your heart—no licking that nasty envelope glue required. Or, attach them to these Valentine’s Day cookie grams and pass them out to your pet and all their friends!