Adopting a furbaby for the first time is an exciting experience, to be sure. Whether you have decided on a puppy or a kitty, pets can bring us joy, love, and companionship. Along with getting your new best friend home, there are a few bare essentials you will need to be able to take good care of them. At GetLocal.ie, we have a large selection of locally found pet supplies found across Ireland that can help you with this task. Here is a list of first-time pet parent essentials to help you get started.
getlocal.ieWater and Food Bowls
Before you worry about what you will be feeding your new pet, it is essential to have something to put that food in. And water, don’t forget the water! Whether you are looking for plastic, stainless steel, or ceramic, keep in mind that some animals are allergic to certain materials. That means you should keep an eye on your pet when they first start using their bowls. Some dogs also eat too fast, and it could cause a choking hazard for them or cause tummy issues, so there are food bowls made especially to help slow them down when chomping down.
Find food and water bowls available from local businesses around Ireland.
Choose The Right Kind Of Dog Bowl
Finding a suitable dog bowl near you is easy with GetLocal.ie because, with a few clicks, you can choose from 100’s options for the doggie in your life. With so much choice from local stores near you, how can you…
Food
There are a few things to keep in mind when picking out the right food for your new furry friend. Your new pet may have some allergies or dislikes you are unaware of. So keeping track of the food ingredients is helpful until you learn what works best for them. You can choose different types of food, such as wet or dry varieties, and use them individually or as a mixture. Frequency and time of day are necessary to keep in mind. Pets do best on a regular feeding schedule, especially dogs, where you can start building up a routine around food and when they need to poo. Lastly, many manufacturers offer different mixes balanced against your pet’s age and energy requirement and size. Like humans, a young athlete’s dietary needs will differ from someone who uses less energy or at an earlier or later developmental stage.
Find dog and cat food available from local businesses around Ireland.
Lead / Collar / ID Tags
A collar is essential for your new cat or dog as that is how you will attach an ID tag. This way, if your furbaby ever gets lost, the person who finds them has a way of finding you. Some critical information to put on their tag is your name and phone number. For dogs, collars or harnesses are also essential as that is what you will be used to attach their lead to so you can take them out on safe walks. You will likely have several dog leads in your collection, short and long versions for different scenarios and locations. If you have a powerful dog or are small in stature, get a dog lead that can be connected to a waist belt. They will help you anchor yourself and use your body weight more effectively when your dog pulls.
Find harnesses, leads, dog and cat collars, and ID tags available from local businesses around Ireland.
Training Crates and Carriers
Crate training can come in handy for both cats and dogs, as long as you pay attention to the size of the crate and make sure it is suitable for your new pet. Cat carriers are pretty universal in size and can be used to introduce them to their new surroundings or travel to the vet. On the other hand, puppies and dogs crates come in different sizes. So, to make sure your dog is comfortable, the crate needs to be at least 15cm longer than their body length and 15cm higher than their shoulder height. It is also important to remember a crate mat so that your new best friend is comfortable in their new crate and puppy pads in case of accidents. Crate training for puppies can help with potty training and is also a great way to help them travel safely in your car.
Find cat carriers, puppy and dog crates, crate mats, and puppy pads from local businesses around Ireland.
Litter and Litter Tray Supplies
We have already mentioned puppy pads and crate training for your new dog; however, if you adopt a kitty, you will need a litter tray, litter, litter scooper, litter tray liners, and litter mats to help with potty training. Cats usually use the litter tray with minimal prompting from their pet parents. It is up to you to keep the litter tray clean, It should be located where your kitty can easily find and you should have at least one litter tray per cat. Cats can be territorial over their potty spaces, and we don’t want any unwanted mess on our floors, so one tray per cat is standard. Cats can seem to hold grudges, when it comes to litter trays doing their business right beside their trays if it’s not clean.
Find litter trays, litter, litter scooper, litter tray liner, and litter mat available from local businesses around Ireland.
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