Some Basic Pet Supplies for Your New Pet

Title: Some Basic Pet Supplies for Your New Pet
Author: Elyse Grau

Some Basic Pet Supplies for Your New Pet
There are some basic supplies that you will need before
getting a new pet. You want to prepare your home for your
pet just as you would if you were about to bring home your
first child.

You will definitely need dishes for your pet's food. These
don't have to be made just for dogs or cats, but it is a
good idea to designate certain dishes for them.

Bowls made for pets do have some advantages. Many have
rounded bottoms, and often these are the easiest for pets
to eat from, especially if they are eating canned dog or
cat food.

Some pet dishes have rubber feet or rings around them to
make them "skid-proof", which is also a bonus. The
round-bottom design makes the dish tip-proof as well.

When choosing pet bowls, stainless steel or ceramic are
preferable to plastic. Plastic can leach toxic chemicals as
they age. They are also harder to sanitize, as bacteria can
invade the plastic as it wears. Plastic also scratches
easily and cracks, and soft plastic can be chewed up.

A collar and leash is a necessity for dogs, and an option
for cats. Cats can be taught to walk on a leash, and if
you are planning on traveling with a one, then teaching it
to do so can be a good safety measure. If you plan to let
your cat go outside (not recommended), than a collar is a
necessity, not an option.

Identification of some kind should be firmly attached to
collars of both dogs and cats. Be sure to include at least
your phone number and the name of the pet.

Another item you will want to provide is a bed. This may
mean a place on your bed, or a bed made especially for
them. Older dogs and cats might benefit from orthopedic
bedding. This is usually made from "egg-crate" foam. You
can buy a premium bed, or make your own from a piece of the
foam and an old sheet or blanket.

Cats will often ignore any bed you buy for them and choose
their own spot - usually your favorite chair or the middle
of your bed. However, there are a number of cat beds
available that made for the way cats like to sleep. They
provide small, snuggly spaces, or are tent-like, offering a
nice place to hide.

Most dogs will benefit from having some toys, and for
puppies they are a must. Interactive pet toys allow you to
spend "quality time" with your dog or cat while providing
the animal with some exercise. These would include balls
for dogs and wand-type toys for cats.

Chew toys are essential for puppies. They need something to
ease the discomfort of teething and to satisfy the natural
instinct to chew. Here is one area where buying new is
preferred. It is not a god idea to give the puppy an old
shoe, for example, to chew on, as that would imply that all
shoes are puppy chew toys.

Squeaky toys can drive owners crazy, but they are good toys
to leave for your dog when you go out. Many dogs enjoy
throwing these toys up in the air and then pouncing on
them. Just be sure your dog cannot easily chew the toy up
and swallow the squeaker. Always supervise your dog when
giving them any kind of new toy, and make sure that it is
appropriate for that dog.

If you are planning on getting a new dog or cat, it is wise
to have all the necessary pet supplies on hand before you
bring the animal home.

About the Author:

Elyse Grau is an herbalist and a long-time pet owner,
well-versed in pet nutrition and feeding. She is the author
of Pet Health Resource, your web guide to a healthy, happy
dog or cat. The website strives to answer your holistic pet
health questions through a large collection of articles.
http://www.pethealthresource.com

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