At “dealwithdogs.com” we strive to help you find the most suitable equipment you need to care for your specific dog. That why we’ve dedicated this page to share all the useful equipment we have discovered.
Dog Bed
Dog beds provide a place for your dog to rest or sleep at any time. They are usually made of a soft or comfortable material just for your dog. Dog beds are also made for the specific shape and size of each dog. Many are a bowl-like shape made of soft material or a firmer mattress-like structure. Most importantly they are also a good spot for your dog to call home!
If your dog sleeps outside, their dog bed should be kept under cover in a sheltered place so that it is not unpleasant in extremely cold, hot or wet weather. If your dog sleeps inside, this won’t be such a problem, but inside dog beds should be in a well-ventilated area. Dog beds serve a similar purpose to dog mats and you won’t need to buy both a dog bed and a dog mat for your dog – unless you want to.
To purchase a dog bed click here!
Dog Mats
Dog mats are a thin mat made out of a firm comfortable material. Unlike dog beds they do not have a bowl-like shape, instead, they have a flatter surface all over. Like dog beds, they provide a place for your dog to sleep or rest at any time, and can also be a good spot for your dog to call home. Dog mats are better kept inside or undercover as they can become wet and soggy in bad weather. Some dog mats are, however, designed to withstand rain and bad weather and can be left outside as an extra place for your dog to rest when the weather is fine. Dog mats serve a similar purpose to dog beds and you won’t need to buy both a dog mat and a dog bed for your dog – unless you desire to.
Dog House/Kennel
Dog houses are an outdoor shelter for your dog. They are a small house that your dog uses to sleep and rest. It is a good idea to make sure that the doghouse is waterproof as you want your dog to have a place to go that is dry in any weather. If it is not waterproof, the doghouse can be placed under a shelter. Doghouses come in many different shapes and sizes, so there will be a perfect doghouse for your dog. Remember that your dog needs to be able to stand up easily in the doghouse and also enter easily through the door of its home. Many people choose to purchase their doghouse or kennel, but there are also plenty of plans available using different kennel materials if you wish to build a doghouse for your dog yourself.
When you’ve chosen the right Dog House for your pooch, it’s a good idea to get a dog mat or dog bed to put inside your dog house – as you want it to be as comfy as possible for your dog.
Dog Crates/Carriers
Dog crates and carriers are a small portable home for a dog to stay in while you travel or go somewhere. This makes it easier for your dog to travel with you. They are usually a small cage-like container that keeps the dog safe and secure while it is traveling. They are made of different materials.
Dog Bowls
Dog bowls are a bowl for your dog usually made of plastic, metal or ceramic to hold food and water. It is a good idea to buy two dog bowls, one for food and one for water. However one bowl would be fine just to use for food, and for water, you could just use a plastic container (like an ice-cream container) or a bucket that you keep filled with water all the time. It is also a good idea to keep more than one bowl of water available at all times so that if one breaks, leaks or gets tipped over there is still plenty of water for your dog to drink.
Dog Food – A Guide To Knowing How To Feed Your Dog
Food is the language of love. So why not express the infinite amount of love for your little furball through food? Keeping a dog is like having a baby, except its more fun! But will your dog enjoy candies and ice creams like your kid? Or does it have a thing for McDonald’s? Well, of course not! This is where dog food comes in!
Often people wonder what kind of dog food should they give to their dogs. Dogs are both carnivorous and omnivorous in nature, meaning their digestive tract is capable of digesting both meat and greens. But that doesn’t mean that you keep feeding them chicken salads every day!
The quality of dog food has a direct impact on the growth and nature of your dog. So you need to be very vigilant in choosing appropriate dog food for your four-legged best friend. There are different kinds of dog food available in the market to choose from; the predominant ones being Dry dog food and Wet dog food. So let’s take an overview of them so you’ll get to understand your buddy better!
-Dry Dog Food
Dry dog food is the most common, economical, and popular among dog owners. It is also recognized as ‘Kibble dog food’. The reason for its admiration lies in its nutritional content, containing all the necessary nutrients your dog needs for its growth, and for its practical nature. It does not require any specific temperature for its storage, making it quite handy to use. The biggest perk is that it takes care of the oral hygiene of your dog. Chewing the dry pellets releases a unique bacteria which acts as a dentist for your dog.
The only drawback of Dry dog food is the low water content (about 10%). So if you’re planning to buy some of it, make sure your dog has plenty of water at all times.
-Wet Dog Food
Wet or canned dog food is the one most preferred by pets. The 70% water content in them guarantees your dog to be hydrated at all times. The flavor and texture of Wet dog food is the major catch for dogs, just like junk food is for us!
However, the taste doesn’t define nutrition. Wet dog food lacks the nutritional aspect due to its high water content. They are also costly in nature and require special storage treatments.
-Raw Dog Food
As the name suggests, this kind of dog food is entirely raw, meaning uncooked. Although its quite rich in nutrients and delivers a positive outcome on the growth of your dog. But, unfortunately, it doesn’t suit every dog. So before you adopt it, make sure your dog doesn’t experience any adverse effects. Freeze-dried dog food is also included in this category.
-Semi-Moist Dog Food
This kind is almost 50% composed of water. Though the name reflects its dual nature, both dry and wet, but it lacks the most in nutritional content. So you might want to rethink before switching to it.
-Dog Treats
Are you facing trouble to get your pup potty trained? Or searching for delights to make your pup feel extra special? Either way, Dog Treats are your answer!
When you see a toddler, your first reaction is to hand out candy, the same works for dogs. Dog Treats are basically like dog candies that your dog can chew on and get a similar ‘candy’ sensation. They can be your perfect partners on numerous occasions! You can use them to reward your dog for its behavior, or just because they look super adorable! Dog Treats are usually small, chewable, and dry, and are also storage-friendly. They can occupy your dog for several minutes and get them in a good mood. They can be extremely handy whilst training your dog for either bathroom or house rules. Every time they do a good deed, you can reward them by giving a treat! This will motivate them to get your attention and love, and of course, treats! You can also give them to your dog while going on a trip that is not dog friendly. It will keep them busy and save them from separation anxiety. Most dog owners find it troublesome to feed pills to their dogs, but dog treats make that easy peasy! You can hide the pill in the dog treat and your dog would never know!
No time to rush to the pet store to fetch dog treats? Just charm them with home treats! My little Shih Tzu loves to munch on crackers whenever I make some and that’s his favorite treat!
But don’t go too overboard! You need to make sure that you give the right amount of dog treats at the right time, or your dog may want too many!
Dog Collar
A dog collar is like a belt for a dog. It goes loosely around your dog’s neck and stays there. Dog collars come in different colors and materials. You use the dog collar if you want to take your dog for a walk. You simply attach the lead to the collar and take your dog where you want to go. The collar can also have an ID tag so that if your dog gets lost and someone finds him or her, he or she can easily be returned.
Prong Collar (Also known as a pinch collar)
The prong collar serves a similar purpose to a normal collar. However, it is commonly used for training/correction purposes. It is used more commonly in training to help steer the dog. It is a useful tool as you do not have to use as much force to move the dog in the direction you want him/her to go.
Dog Leash (Also known as a lead or tether)
Uses For Dog Leashes
A dog leash is a length of rope, metal chain, leather, rubber, or other similar materials used to restrain or control your dog. The leash attaches to your dog collar. One use for a leash can be to take your dog for walks. The leash, in this case, gives you control of how far the dog is from you. If the leash is to small you can always attach a second leash to extend the length your dog can wander. Having a leash also means that the dog cannot wander around at its own pace and distance from you. This is good for many reasons. If the dog didn’t have a leash and was able to wander around as it pleases is it could easily wander onto a road, instantly endangering itself. This could not only injure the dog but if the accident was serious enough it may also injure others as well. The leash could also be a reassurance for a timid dog who may like the feeling of knowing that they are safe in the owner’s control. It could also be a reassurance for the owner because if the dog got scared the leash could keep the dog from running away. Another effective use for a dog leash is to use when you are training your dog, the leash gives you easy control of your dog while you are training it.
Types of Dog Leashes
- Standard Dog Leash – Used for general uses such as walking and training your dog. Pros: Can be used for many different things, made in many different materials and colors. Cons: Could be bitten through or wear over time, possible rope burn.
- Chain Leash – Can be used for general uses such as walking and training your dog. Pros: Stops dogs from biting through the leash, wouldn’t wear to easily over time. Cons: May pinch dogs skin, some dogs may injure their teeth by trying to chew through the chain.
- Hands-Free Dog Leash – Great for active dog owners as you don’t need to hold the dog leash. Instead, the leash is placed around the owner’s waist, leaving their hands free to do other things. Pros: Don’t need to hold onto the leash while you are walking or running your dog. You could also jog with a pram as you would not need to be holding the dogs’ leash. This would give you two hands to push a pram. Cons: The dog may be too strong for you and pull you along. This could potentially result in injury. Your dog may bite through the dog leash. Potential rope burn. If you or the dog trip one could cause the other to fall down.
- Retractable Dog Leash – Leash is easily adjustable to whatever length you choose (similar to a measuring tape). Pros: You have full control over how long the dog leash is. Cons: The leash teaches the dog to pull on the leash as the length increases when the dog pulls harder – as long as the leash is not on lock. The leash is made of very thin material so it could snap if enough force is applied. It could cause rope burn. If the leash is too long the dog could take up to much of the path and annoy other path users.
- Adjustable Dog Leash – Leash is manually adjustable to different lengths. Pros: You can adjust the leash before you take our dog for a walk based on the area where you are walking your dog (if the space is large you could make the leash longer however if the space is small you could shorten the leash). Cons: The leash could wear out over time, could be bitten through, could possibly cause rope burn.
- Martingale Dog Leash (Or choker chain) – Used for teaching dogs not to pull on the leash. Pros: Great leash to teach your dog not to pull on the leash. Makes it easier to walk your dog (You don’t have to pull your dog’s lead back as hard to maintain control of your dog). Cons: The leash may cause your dog to have breathing problems, especially if your dog doesn’t get the normal amount of air other dogs get (Pug’s and Bulldog’s) due to a small windpipe. This would mean that the dog would have great trouble breathing, may pinch dog.
- Multiple Dog Leash – Great way of walking two or more dogs while only needing one hand to hold the leash. Pros: Great way of walking two or more dogs and you only need one hand. If you have more than one dog you won’t have to buy two or more dog leashes you could just buy one dog leash as it can hold multiple dogs. Cons: May make it too cramped for the dogs to move around well (they may get in each other’s way). If the leash snapped you would have to try and catch many dogs as they would all be let free.
- Bike Leash – Great for active bike riders who want to ride and walk there dog. Pros: You can use two hands on your bike while your dog runs beside you attached to your bike. Cons: If your dog had an accident it would affect the other making the accident more serious for both you and your dog. Your dog may get tired and need to stop but wouldn’t be able to and may eventually collapse or drag you down causing a serious accident. Your dog may get distracted (See another dog) and run towards it, once again potentially causing a serious accident.
Dog Harness
The behavior of your dog matters the most if you want to call it a ‘good doggie’. Often overexcited dogs give their owners a hard time whenever taken out for a walk. To keep your dog under control and well-managed, a dog harness can be your best friend!
The harness controls your dog and prevents it from injuries due to excessive pulling, which occurs by using a collar. It envelopes the body of your dog so that it is secured from neck and back strain. Harnesses distribute the unwanted pressure from your dog’s neck to the rest of its body, making your dog less frantic and more relaxed during walks.
Most dog owners experience behavioral problems by using a leash during walks, whereas a harness makes your dog more calm and moderate, brownie points to the harness!
Different types of harnesses are available such as nylon, soft mesh, cooling reflective, fancy frill harness, etc. You can choose the one which makes your dog feel the most comfortable.
The only drawback of using a harness is that some dogs don’t like them. If your dog does not accept its harness it may require you to pour in some extra training hours with your buddy.
Dog Brush
The holy grail grooming tool for your dog is a dog brush. The beauty of your dog lies in its fur coat. A dog brush is used to groom your dog and manage its fur coat so it can be a real eye-catcher!
The major role of a dog brush is to spread your dog’s natural oil evenly across its body so its fur gets a good growth boost. It helps to get rid of any loose or damaged fur that would clutter your living room. It also gives your dog a very well maintained and handsome look. By using a dog brush, you don’t need to book expensive appointments for your dog’s grooming or massages. Just lay it down and brush away! Your best friend will thank you for this comfy yet glamorous treatment. You can also use a dog brush as a flea comb.
Different kinds of brushes are available depending on the skin and fur coat type of the dog. For example, slicker brushes are used for long-haired dogs such as Russians, whereas pin brushes are used for short-haired ones like Rottweilers.
There is no downside of using a dog brush, however, you need to make sure your dog is pleased with the brush you’re using and doesn’t find it irritable. Otherwise, the whole process can be messy!
Dog Clippers
You can say goodbye to costly grooming appointments by using dog clippers. Clipping your dog yourself not only proved to be easy on the wallet but can also help you to build a strong connection with your dog by making it more comfortable during this fussy grooming session.
A dog clipper can give your dog its unique look from the comforts of its home. It is always advisable to give your dog a bath and brushing session before using dog clippers. This helps to get rid of any fur tangles and make the clipping procedure much more relaxed for your dog. By doing so, your dog’s sensitive skin is also protected from cuts and blisters.
Multiple dog clippers are available in pet stores. However stainless steel dog clippers stand above the rest. This is because it is highly durable and resistant to rust. The only cons of using a dog clipper are that they constantly vibrate. These vibrations can make your dog shaky and result in an uneven edgy trim. If your dog is a big pal, then the batteries of the dog clippers could cause you some pain and expense as you would need to charge them again and again.
Dog Shampoo
Your dog’s beauty lies in its fur coat. You need to make sure it is always looking sleek, super shiny, and attractive enough to make new dog friends! But how? Just get a Dog Shampoo!
Unlike other pets (cats and birds specifically), most dogs love water! They love nothing more than splashing in puddles and chasing the water hose. Such quality bonding time! But dog baths can give more than just bonding. All you need to do is to add a dog shampoo in your routine dog baths. They can make your dog’s fur soft, silky, and gorgeous! Before choosing a dog shampoo, you need to consider your dog’s skin type first. You need to select a dog shampoo that would not cause any allergic reaction or irritation on your dog’s skin, otherwise, the bathing experience for your dog can be hugely unpleasant. There are multiple dog shampoo options to choose from. But you need to pick one that would not cause any sort of vexation for your dog. You can go for organic shampoos if your pup’s skin is sensitive, or you can go for conditioners to give your dog’s fur that superstar glam look. Be sure to not use human shampoos as they can be highly acidic for your hairy pal and trigger hypersensitivity.
With dog shampoos, your dog’s grooming session can easily elevate to another level!
Dog Coats/Jackets
Winter is not only accompanied by cold weather or soft snow, but also by cute jackets and sweaters for your dog! Before you get too excited with the trendy dog jackets, there are a few things you should consider.
Dog Jackets surely can be a stylish accessory for your dog and can also keep them warm during merciless winters. Despite this, they are not for every dog. If you have a husky, then it will certainly not enjoy a jacket! You have to analyze your dog’s reaction first to the dropping temperature before buying an adorable dog jacket. If your buddy shows signs of shivering and cold, then it is time to purchase one. Dog jackets, however, are a must-have for puppies, oldies, medically sensitive, and dogs with a short fur coat. You need to make sure that your dog feels comfortable in the chosen dog jacket. Don’t focus on making your dog a fashion diva, rather concentrate more on what makes it comfy. Avoid jackets with accessories like zippers and straps. I know they look so cool but can irritate your pal. While choosing a dog jacket, confirm that it covers your dog’s neck and belly as these areas are most prone to cold temperatures.
Whenever I’m choosing a dog jacket for Coco, I always go for waterproof ones. This lets him play in the snow without getting wet!
Dog Toys
Are you a busy person with an energetic dog? Or are you sick of getting your shoes chewed by your pal? If so, then this is the right time to get your best friend some Dog Toys.
Dog Toys are extremely convenient and can be a wonderful play-pal for your pooch. They can keep your pup busy while you’re doing chores or can be a soft companion for them 24/7. Pet shops are cluttered with cute dog toys. There is a wide variety of dog toys available for your buddy. If you have a puppy, then it’s advisable to get a chewing dog toy to help them with the teething process. You can also get them a soft plushy dog toy so they won’t feel lonely. Such dog toys can also be favorable for dogs who have lost a friend. If your dog has a lot of playtime energy that is affecting your furniture and shoes, then it’s best to opt for a distraction dog toy that will keep your dog occupied and utilize their excessive playtime energy! You can also spice up your fetching game with some cool fetch dog toys like frisbees.
While selecting a dog toy, make sure it is completely safe for your dog. Ensure it is compatible with the size of your dog and does not contain very small parts that can cause choking hazards for your dog. Choose a dog toy that is dog-friendly in every possible way. You will definitely observe some positive behavior changes in your dog after getting them a dog toy!
Dog Health Products
-Flea Treatment for Dogs
Fleas are a very troublesome annoying problem that every dog owner wants to avoid. They can irritate your dog and cause it to become aggressive due to excessive scratching, and they can give you a headache by populating in your home. This is a real problem that dog owners will go to any to avoid! Luckily, remedies for flea do exist.
If your dog gets infected by these blood-sucking creatures, be prepared to witness havoc in not only your dog but also in your household. Fleas have a fast production rate, they can multiply to 50 in just one day. In just a matter of a few days, your dog will get completely contaminated with fleas. But the horror story doesn’t end here. Everything your dog touches or comes in contact with gets infected by fleas as well, which means your clothes, furniture, and household items are all in danger from this parasite.
The best flea treatment is flea prevention. You need to be extremely vigilant in your pooch’s daily grooming session to examine any signs of irritation on your dog’s skin due to fleas. You can use flea collars or flea shampoos to protect you and your dog from this disaster before it even happens. The safeguard lies in cleanliness. Make sure to keep your household items (carpets, sheets, furniture, etc) and your furry pal’s sleeping area absolutely spotless and thoroughly cleaned to avoid any nasty flea encounter.
But let’s suppose the situation gets wilder and your dog actually gets attacked by these leeches, what should you do then? Firstly, you should consult your vet to suggest a treatment suitable for your dog’s fur coat. Nonetheless, the treatment again lies in excessive tidiness. Give your dog long and comprehensive baths with lemon water and apple cider vinegar. Both these natural ingredients can help cleanse your dogs from flea contamination and acidic content in them can help to destroy the flea eggs to cease further production. You can also use natural oils such as peppermint, tea tree, and eucalyptus oils by diluting them with water. Just massage these oils on your dog’s fur coat. It will help your pal relax and will also assist in killing fleas. You can also use coconut oil for this purpose. If your pooch is reluctant to massages but loves to play around with bubble baths, then you should definitely consider organic soaps and lather shampoos. Just rub your dog with these bathing essentials and allow your furball to enjoy the bubbles while they perform their killing mission.
If the flea intensity is a bit extreme, then you should consider using flea collars, flea combs, and flea shampoos. You should consult your pooch’s vet before selecting a collar, comb, or shampoo that your dog is comfortable with. In just a matter of a few after treatment, both you and your dog will be without these creatures!
-Tick Prevention for Dogs
Ticks are tiny ferocious vampires that aim to drive your dog mad if not kill them. Their mere existence can cause so much agony both for you and your furry best friend that even survival becomes difficult and painful. Usually, ticks used to attack in the seasons of summer and spring, but over time they have made themselves much stronger, more vicious, and definitely more dangerous. These little bloodthirsty predators can now survive throughout the year, depriving dog owners of the tick relief periods in fall and winter. Not only do they bite your dog in the most painful way possible, but they also become carriers of fatal diseases. If a disease carrier tick bites your dog, it is most likely to sabotage your dog’s chances of survival by inflicting your pooch with life-threatening diseases. And once your dog comes to you for its daily petting session, you and your household can also become a victim of the curse carried by ticks. Now that is something which no dog owner wants!
So the question arises, how to prevent our beloved furry pals from these brutal creatures? The prevention lies in the examination. Whenever you come home from your daily walks or daily hikes, make sure to thoroughly examine your dog’s fur coat for any lumps or tiny insects. Observe your dog’s behavior if it is showing any signs of irritation or skin sensitivity. One way to examine your dog is to brush its fur opposite to the direction of its growth. That will give you a clear vision of your dog’s skin, even if it’s a furry beast. Notice if you see any tiny crawling creatures and immediately pluck them out. If necessary, take frequent trips to your dog’s vet as well during the spike of tick season for a more thorough examination.
Ticks are clever little creatures who know too well which areas of your dogs are often ignored by their owners during the examination. So the best thing to do would be to counterplay. Whenever you’re your dog, don’t just stick to its fur. Conduct a meticulous survey of your dog’s face, behind its ear, in its lower belly, between the toes of its feet, and in its groin area. These areas are often inhabited by ticks so better to shield these areas first.
If you live in hilly areas where the meadows are crisp, it’s better to opt for a tick collar to ensure your pal’s protection ticks. But if in the unfortunate, your dog does get affected by ticks, immediately consult your vet. You can inquire of your vet about tick pills and tick repellents and choose the one which your dog is comfortable with. Most dogs feel more relaxed with tick pills while for others, topical repellents might be a good choice. These repellents can help to keep ticks away from your pooch’s fur.
One thing to note is that all your tick prevention would go down the drain if you can’t keep your dog’s surrounding tick-free. Ensure regular maintenance of your backyard or the places your dog spends most of its time in.
-Dog Worming Treatment
Dog worms are a pest that every dog is bound to encounter at least once in its lifetime. Dogs love to explore. They love to stick their noses into everything they pass whenever they go for a walk with their owners. It is impossible for dog owners to cleanse everything they come across during their regular walks, so it is natural for your pooch to get inflicted with germs and parasites. Dog worms are the most common among those parasites which your dog has a high chance of catching. But fortunately, it can be cured!
Dog worms are a tiny nuisance, usually, roundworms, tapeworms, or hookworms, which find their way to the intestines of your dog. They feed on the undigested food items present in your dog’s stomach and can cause multiple diseases. Basically, dog worms are the root cause of many fatal diseases that your dog can suffer from. Dog worms are more common in puppies, but they can infect a dog at any age. When a dog becomes a victim of dog worms, they often experience such as vomiting, coughing, diarrhea, and excessive tail. If your dog does any of those, it is highly likely your pooch has dog worms.
There are multiple treatments available for dog worms and those treatments are termed as ‘Deworming’. If you suspect that your pooch has dog worms, you should immediately consult your vet regarding a deworming process that is suitable for your dog. Deworming can be conducted through tablets, syrups, or even injections. You can choose the method with which your dog is most comfortable and the one which doesn’t cause any adverse effects on your dog. You can mix the dog’s medication into its food or drink and present it to your dog. Once your dog ingests the medication, the deworming would take 2 to 6 hours to make your dog completely worm-free from within. You can keep a track of the deworming medicine by your dog’s vomits and poop. If you see any worms swarming in them, then your dog is free from these parasites.
Deworming is a process that needs to be performed frequently on a dog. It’s a recurring issue and can affect your dog again from time to time. The best possible way to keep your furry pal’s insides free from worms at all times is to conduct monthly deworming sessions. Some dogs require deworming after every 3 months while some even require after a few weeks. So to prevent your dog from infectious worms, work out a deworming program with your vet and stick with it. Once your dog is free from worms, it’ll be a happy little pooch!