My first dog, what am I to do? What do I need?

What animal lovers usually forget is that behind the cuteness lies a whole lot of responsibility.  Luckily, there are tools to help pet owners deal with the new wave of house hold chores related to animal caring. Before picking up that pup or kitty, here’s a list of the things that you need to have in your home.

1.  Collar. Whether it’s a cat or a dog, collars have become a necessity for its many uses. It’s where a pet’s ID tag can be attached, aside from being a handle for grabbing when needing to control the animal. There are many options to a pet collar.  There most popular is the leather buckle and there’s also one of nylon material.  Some collars come with a flea control substance.
2. Leash.  Some places require a dog to always be on a leash when outside its home. Leashes are also training tools for the pets.
3. ID tags.  In case your pet gets lost, the ID tags come in really handy.   Modern tags now come in reflective lights and they can already be made in less than an hour in some shops.
4. A veterinarian.  It is advisable to have one trustee vet all through your pet rearing.  Proper care is easily implemented this way and the pet can easily develop trust with a familiar person.
5. Natural cleaning agents and deodorizers for your home.  It’s not a joke to have animal poop in the house.  It can spread bacteria and can make everyone in the household sick.  Remember that cleansers with harmful chemicals are not safe for pets.  A natural cleanser, must not leave any phosphates, harsh acid, chlorine bleach or chlorine residues around the household.
6. Food and water bowls. Stainless steel or ceramic bowls are highly recommended.  Some of them come with anti-skid rubber at the bottom.
7. Pet Bed.  Pets need to be conditioned to its surroundings first.  Letting it stay in the pet bed/kennel will give it time to familiarize itself with the new home.  It’s also a beginning to the pet’ elimination habit training.
8. Treats and toys.  For dogs, prepare bones and toys.  This will be a good diversion from shoe-chewing.  Dog training also becomes easier when there are rewarded with treats.
9. Grooming kit. A basic grooming kit has a pet soap or shampoo, a toothbrush and a brush. Other grooming necessities can be done at a professional groomer’s or the pet clinic.