Essential Dog Products to Make Life Easier

 Life with dogs is exciting and funny, but it can be a real mess as well. But no matter what, we love them, right? We wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world.

When you think about getting a dog or you already own one, you know the necessary things that you need to take care of them. But have you ever thought about the things that would make your life so much easier if you had them? Things that would make you say “Why haven’t I thought of this earlier?”

Here are some items that you need to make caring for your upper effortless and enjoyable.

Dog Carriers

Whether you are going on a plane, car ride, or you just need to take your dog outside with you, you need to make sure that your pet is feeling secure. Smaller breeds of dogs or puppies may start feeling anxious and scared if you try to walk them in crowded places or put them in the car without any protection. Injured, older, or dogs with disabilities need to be carried around as well. This is where a dog carrier would come in handy.

There are some things to consider when you explore the range of puppy carriers.

Choose the Right Style

There are different styles of dog carriers on the market. You need to think about your needs, the settings you'll be using the carriers in, and of course, your dog’s comfort.

Hard-sided Carriers 

These look like cages and they’re usually approved to be taken on a plane. They are durable, easy to clean, and highly secure. They are made from sturdy plastic and metal, and are suitable for bigger dogs too. If bigger, you can also use them in your home, instead of a dog house.

Soft-sided Carriers 

Soft-sided dog carriers are more convenient for everyday use, and some of them can be taken on a plane as well. They’re easily portable, lightweight, and collapsible for when you don’t need them. Most of them are made from water-resistant materials and have a long strap to be carried on the shoulder too. They are used for smaller dogs and puppies because they’re the ones that you need a carrier for and aren’t heavy to be carried in your hands.

Backpack Carriers 

These carriers are very useful if you love taking your dog on an adventure with you, like cycling, hiking, camping, etc. If you prefer to carry your pup on your back or at the front, no matter if you’re going outside or to the vet, this is the ideal solution. In this way, your pet feels closer to you and safer. If you ride a bike, a backpack carrier is all you need. They have extra pockets for water and other essentials, so you don’t need to carry other bags with you.

Purpose

Why do you need to buy a carrier for? If it’s for taking your pup on a plane, you should check the airline’s conditions and policies for travelling. There are strict requirements that you need to follow in order to take your furry friend on a plane.

If it’s for taking your dog around with you, you don’t need a heavy carrier. Choose puppy carriers that are secure, comfortable, and easy to maintain and pack.

Measure Your Dog

For your pet to feel cosy, safe, and happy, you need a suitable size dog carrier. Measure your dog and compare it with the dimensions of the carriers you're considering. There should be enough room for the dog to lie down, stretch, and move around. 

Portable Water Bottles

How many times have you gone for a walk with your dog but forgot to take a water bottle? You both end up dehydrated and tired. When you feel hot, your dog feels hot too. During long travels, there’s no way to know when you’ll be able to find drinking water for your dog. With dog water bottles, you won’t have to worry.

Weight and Capacity

There are different materials used for dog water bottles. Plastic is the lightest one but it’s not as durable as stainless steel which is the heaviest one. Silicone is the third option and it’s pretty lightweight. Whichever you choose, always check the safety of the material.

When it comes to capacity, it depends on the size of your dog. Always take into account how much time will pass before you can refill the bottle.

Drinking and Filters

Dog water bottles contain a cup, bowl, or dispenser for your dog to drink from. This means that you wouldn’t have to bring extra bowls with you. Some give you the option to control how much water it releases or to withdraw the water.

For your next hike, take water bottles that have a filter and don’t worry about finding drinking water. When travelling somewhere where there’s no water or you don’t know if the water is safe to drink, water filters will ensure that the water your doggo drinks is safe.

Smart Collar

Have you heard of smart dog collars? They are collars for dogs that come with convenient smartphone features.

You probably own an ordinary collar with the name of the dog and owner’s information. All that you thought about when you bought it was its colour and size. With smart collars, there’s so much more.

Location Tracking

Smart collars have a GPS connection that gives you the precise location of your dog at any time. You might have had your dog microchipped but it doesn’t give you a real-time location. The microchip needs to be scanned, so if your dog gets lost, you won’t know where it is until someone finds it and takes it to be scanned in order to see the information on the microchip.  With a smart collar, you’ll be able to track your dog wherever it goes and you shouldn’t be afraid that they’ll run away or that somebody will steal them. You could set a perimeter for your dog and an app will notify you if they’re beyond the line. You can keep track easier if you have more dogs with notifications that tell you that your dog seems to be going for a walk.

Health Information

Smart collars have a health app which will help to track your dog’s daily activity. It can recommend a daily goal according to the breed, health condition, and age, or you can adjust it to your dog’s need. Consult with a veterinarian for the recommended daily activity, especially if your dog has health problems. If your doggy has gained weight, this is the perfect way to monitor their steps.

With a smart collar, have all medical records in one place. You can set appointments and vaccination reminders, and store other health information. What’s more, the app can tell you if your dog is feeling hot or cold at the moment.

Training

If you have a new puppy that needs to be trained or a dog that refuses to listen, smart collars can serve as training collars. They have sound features, beeping, and vibrations to help your dog learn faster.