Pet Supplies for Your Newest Family Member

Bringing home a new pet is an exciting day! It’s the first step in a relationship that will bring joy, love and companionship to you and your newest family member for years to come. To prepare for the big day, it’s a good idea to get the essential pet supplies ahead of time so you can focus on keeping your furry friend happy, healthy and secure on day one.

Here is a short list of the most important supplies you’ll want to purchase before you introduce your new dog or cat to your home.

Essential pet supplies for dogs

Whether you’re bringing home a new puppy or an adult rescue, you’ll want to have these pet supplies on hand the first day.

• Dog food: It’s a good idea to start with what your dog has previously been eating, then gradually transition to the dog food of your choice. You have a lot of options here – be sure to take into consideration your dog’s size, breed, age, health needs and veterinary recommendations.
• Food and water bowls: Pick something sturdy and easy to clean.
• Collar, leash and ID tag: You’ll need a collar that fits properly, and a leash lets you easily control your dog’s movements to keep them safe as your walking and training. ID tags are invaluable in the event your pup ever slips away.
• Poop bags: You’re going to need a lot of these!
• Treats: Delicious treats can help you shower your new pet with love and reward them for good behavior.
• A bed or crate: Providing a safe space that your dog can call its own will help to minimize stress during the transition.

When bringing home a puppy, you’ll need a few extra items.

• Chew toys: : Puppies are chewers, and providing durable chew toys will help protect shoes, furniture and pretty much anything else your pup can wrap their teeth around.
• Training treats and clickers: Small, low-calorie treats are ideal for training. Clickers are the perfect tool for teaching your dog’s desired behavior.
• Stain and odor remover: Accidents are inevitable when housetraining, but enzymatic cleaners can easily remove stains and eliminate odor.
• Gates: You’ll need gates to restrict your puppy’s movement as you’re housetraining, and to keep them safe from stairways and other potentially dangerous areas.

After you’ve introduced your pup to your home, you’ll want to pick up a few additional items.

• Grooming supplies: Brushes are essential for keeping your dog’s coat clean and unmatted. You’ll need shampoo for the occasional bathtime, and nail trimmers will help keep nails healthy and prevent scratches on floors and people.
• Clothing: Sweaters and wraps will keep your pup warm during the winter months, and a raincoat will help you keep your dog and your home cleaner on rainy days.
• Flea and tick meds Consult with your veterinarian on the right flea and tick applications for your dog.
• Dental products: Brushing your dog’s teeth each day will minimize plaque and help you avoid the cost of dental cleaning.

Pet supplies for cats and kittens

Here are the pet supplies you’ll want in the house before you bring a kitten or adult rescue cat home.

• Food: As with dogs, it’s good to start off feeding your kitty the food they’re already used to, then transition slowly to the food of your choice.
• Food and water bowls: Be sure to choose bowls that are wide enough to not bother your cat’s whiskers.
• Litter box: Choose a box that’s the right size for your cat or kitten, and high-quality litter to help control the smell.
• Collar and ID tag: A collar and tag are a good idea even if you have an indoor cat, as kitties are excellent escape artists. If you plan to let your cat outside, you may also want a leash and a harness.
• Scratching post: Having a scratching post ready on day one will help to protect your furniture while keeping your cat’s claws healthy.
• Toys: Cats love to play, and Interactive cat toys are excellent for promoting exercise and mental stimulation.
• Crate or carrier: You’ll need a crate to safely bring your new furry family member home the first day, and for making visits to the vet.
• Bed: Placing a cozy cat bed in an elevated position will give your kitty a great place to curl up for a nap or safely observe their new home.

After you settle in, you’ll likely need a few more pet supplies for your kitty.

• Grooming supplies: A good brush will help keep shedding under control, avoid matting and prevent hairballs.
• Furniture: Cat furniture comes in many shapes and sizes, from kitty condos that provide a comfy hideaway to window perches that let cats curl up in the sun to watch the parade of wildlife outside.
• Calming diffusers: These products help keep cats calm by releasing an odorless vapor that induces a sense of calm, relieves stress, and helps to prevent problematic behavior like destructive scratching and urine marking.
• Flea and tick meds: : Consult with your veterinarian for recommendations on the best flea and tick medications for your cat.

FAQs

What are the must-have pet supplies for a new dog or cat?

The absolute must-have pet supplies for a new dog include food, food and water bowls, poop bags, a leash and collar and a crate that provides a safe space for your dog to rest or sleep. For cats, must-have pet supplies include food, food and water bowls, a litter box and litter, a collar and ID tag and a carrier for safely bringing your new kitty home.

What’s the best way to introduce new pets to existing pets?

Bringing home a new pet when you already have a dog or cat in the home requires patience, planning, and time to ensure a smooth transition. There are different steps recommended for introducing dogs to other dogs, cats to other cats, and dogs and cats to each other, but each process focuses on progressing slowly and completely supervising the interactions. Throughout the process, your goal is to create positive associations and minimize stress.

PetSmart offers all the pet supplies you’ll ever need for dogs, cats and many other small pets. Shop online or take advantage of convenient shopping with Curbside Pickup or in-store pickup. Need something today? We have select items available for Same-Day Delivery in most areas powered by DoorDash. For items you purchase frequently, PetSmart has Autoship that automatically delivers the items you want to your door as often as you would like. Check the website to see which items are eligible.

Information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure your pet and is not a substitute for veterinary care provided by a licensed veterinarian. For any medical or health-related advice concerning the care and treatment of your pet, contact your veterinarian.