Essentials for Your Pet

As pet parents, it is our responsibility to make sure our pets have what they need to live their best lives.

When it comes to making sure we have all of the pet essentials stocked and at the ready, we’re making our lists and checking them twice. Here’s a handy checklist so your furry family member can stay healthy and happy.

For this young stage, the focus is on exposing your puppy to new things, helping him grow mentally and physically, and encouraging good behaviors.

• Puzzle or Treat-Dispensing Toys – These toys promote mental stimulation and keep puppies occupied (aka out of trouble).
• Training Tools – Supplies like a dog clicker and dog treats will help encourage good behaviors early on.
• Dog Chews/Chew Toys – Discuss with your vet which would be best for your puppy.
• Potty Pads – These are essential for housetraining. Find out how to potty train your dog indoors here.
• Dental Products – Start with a toothbrush and toothpaste early on to get your puppy used to having his teeth cleaned and to prevent dental disease.
• Grooming Products – Get some dog shampoo and nail trimmers to get your puppy used to being groomed from the start.
• Flea and Tick Control – Talk to your vet at or before the first vet visit to find out which type of product is best suited for your puppy.
• Stain and Odor Remover – You’ll need this to help clean up pet messes while potty training your puppy.

For adult dogs, training products that correct undesirable behaviors tend to be important.

“This is the class where training tools come in hot and heavy … since these dogs are more likely to ‘come with’ some retraining needs,” says Dr. Sandra Mitchell, owner of All Creatures Veterinary Services in Bangor, Maine

In addition, luxury items typically are better suited for this more mature life stage.

“Adult dogs also really appreciate the luxury items such as nice beds, where puppies might just eat or pee on them,” Dr. Mitchell says.

• Training Tools – Help correct behavioral problems with tools such as a no-pull harness or anti-chew spray.
• Comfy Beds – Mature adult dogs tend to enjoy the finer things in life more than their younger counterparts.
• Dental Products – Prevent dental disease in dogs by using dental products like a toothbrush, toothpaste and dental chews.
• Grooming Products – Keep your dog fresh and clean by using nail trimmers, a dog brush, dog shampoo and dog cleaning wipes.
• Flea and Tick Control – Talk to your vet at or before the first vet visit to find out which type of product is best suited for your dog.
• Poop Bags – Take your dog on walks often, and clean up anything they leave behind.

In general, senior dogs benefit from products that accommodate physical changes that arise with aging. Older dogs tend to have decreased mobility, hearing and vision, so look for products that make their environment safer and easier to navigate.

• Pet Steps or Ramps – Help mobility-impaired pets get onto furniture or into vehicles.
• Supplements – Ask your veterinarian for recommendations on which hip and joint supplements or other supplements your senior dog could benefit from.
• Heated and Orthopedic Pet Beds – Provide maximum support and comfort for achy joints.
• Nightlight – Keep a nightlight on to help your senior pet see better in low-lit areas. Dr. Mitchell recommends putting one where they sleep and one where they go outside at night.
• Toenail Grips or Gripping Booties – These can help prevent slips and falls.
• Lift Harness – Look into getting a lift harness to aid in mobility.
• Pet Stroller – This way, your pet can experience the outdoors when they are not able to walk on their own.
• Wheelchairs – These can help senior dogs who can no longer walk without assistance.
• Doggy Diapers – Senior dogs who suffer from incontinence can benefit from diapers.
• Comfy Blankets and Sweaters – Be sure to keep senior dogs warm and comfortable.
• Grooming Products – Keep your dog fresh and clean by using nail trimmers, a dog brush, dog shampoo and dog cleaning wipes.
• Dental Products – Preventing dental disease is important as dogs become more prone to dental disease as they age.
• Flea and Tick Control – Talk to your vet at or before the first vet visit to find out which type of product is best suited for your dog.

For this young stage, the focus is on exposing your kitten to new things, helping her grow mentally and physically, and encouraging good behaviors. Below is an assortment of cat supplies to help your kitten develop into a healthy, happy adult cat.

• Hunting Toys – Wands, lasers and other toys can be chased and hunted down, which can help provide kittens with mental stimulation and exercise.
• Flea and Tick Control – Talk to your vet to find out which type of product is best for your kitten.
• Grooming Supplies – Be sure to maintain your kitten’s coat. Essential must-haves include a brush (Dr. Mitchell recommends daily brushings) and nail trimmers (for weekly trimmings).
• Dental Products – Pick up a toothbrush and toothpaste to get your kitten used to having her teeth cleaned early on.
• Nail Caps – These are great to use if furniture scratching is a problem (trimming your kitten’s nails also will help).
• Catnip – You can use catnip to encourage your kitten to scratch on her scratcher or cat tree. Many older kittens and cats love catnip.
• Stain and Odor Remover – These are formulated specifically to clean up pet messes, which might happen while your kitten is learning to use the litter box.

There are plenty of ways to get creative and provide your kitten with a source of entertainment. Window-mounted bird feeders, for example, are great for bird-watching and sunbathing.

For this more mature stage, focus on products that help create enriching environments to keep cats mentally and physically fit.

• Cat Shelves – Your cat can survey her kingdom from up high (and snooze out of reach from others).
• Window Perch – This provides a cozy place to lie and watch birds and other wildlife.
• Grooming Products – These will be used for daily coat brushing and weekly nail trimmings.
• Dental Products – Have a toothbrush and toothpaste on hand to prevent dental disease.
• Nail Caps – Keep these on hand if furniture scratching is a problem (trimming your cat’s nails will also help).
• Catnip – Many cats go wild for catnip.
• Flea and Tick Control – Talk to your vet to find out which type of product is best suited for your cat.
• Stain and Odor Remover – You’ll need these to clean up pet messes, like hairballs.

As cats get older and become seniors, it’s important to provide them with supplies that will help support their changing needs.

In general, senior cats benefit from products that accommodate physical changes that arise with aging. Look for products like these that can help make their environment more comfortable and easier to navigate.

• Low-Profile Litter Box – Older cats often have mobility issues that make getting in and out of the litter box difficult.
• Cat Steps or Ramps – These can help mobility-impaired pets get up onto furniture.
• Supplements – Ask your veterinarian for recommendations for hip and joint support.
• Heated and Orthopedic Pet Beds – Provide maximum support and comfort for achy joints.
• Catnip – This feline favorite encourages playtime and scratching in old age.
• Flea and Tick Control – Talk to your vet to find out which type of product is best suited for your cat.
• Grooming Products – Elderly cats tend not be as good at self-grooming as when they were younger.
• Dental Products – Use a cat toothbrush and toothpaste to prevent dental disease. Cats become more prone to dental disease as they age.
• Stain and Odor Remover – You’ll need to clean up accidents when senior cats can’t make it to the litter box.

And don’t forget to give your golden oldie lots of love and attention.

“Older cats benefit from pampering and extra TLC—and often appreciate it!” Dr. Mitchell says.