The first thing you need when you get a puppy is a cage or playpen. If you are very house conscious (which you should be because no puppy is perfect at the potty, especially the first few weeks), a playpen would be the perfect option. In comparison to a cage, the playpen would give your four-legged fluffball some space to move, sleep, play and eliminate. However, you would need a cage if you would want to crate train or allow your puppy to have a good rest when he/she is tired. When introduced correctly, a cage will not be as scary as people make it out to be and trust me, they love being in it. When getting a cage, there are a few things to remember.
1) Do not get a cage that is too big! This is because the more room we give our puppies, the bigger chance you have your puppy eliminating in the same place they sleep
2) Try and get a cage that is foldable, it will make it much easier for you if you need to disassemble or reassemble it again!
I live in a house with not much room outdoors for my puppy to eliminate, so we needed an inside solution that is easy to handle and clean. Because of this, i made sure I got my puppy a pee tray. Depending on the size of your dog, there are different sizes available (S, M, L, XL). Initially, when I got my puppy, I bought her an 'S' size grass potty tray, just to realize she had never been on grass before and mistook it for her bed. Eventually, I realized that I should just invest in a big potty pad that she will never grow out of. For my miniature poodle, I got her an 'L' and it does the job perfectly!
On to the next item, Just like humans, dogs need food and snacks too! For Lea, I knew I wanted to give her the best. To be honest, I'm still researching what "BEST" is. Could it be raw food, home cooked food, vegetarian food? But for a start, I remember buying her Iskhan puppy food which cost me around RM40-45? If you're interested to get it, I'll link it right here! Over the past few months of having her, I would occasionally switch up her food and recently she's been eating Merrick Grain Free Chicken Puppy Food (RM 123) which you can buy right here!
As for treats, I started off with commercialized treats that you can get in any pet shop. It ranges in price but it did the job to make my fur baby happy. Some treats that I've tried are as listed below! Just FYI, I am just sharing what I did with Lea. Every dog has different diet requirements so do check with your vet if you suspect your dog might be sensitive to certain food/snacks.
As for treats, I started off with commercialized treats that you can get in any pet shop. It ranges in price but it did the job to make my fur baby happy. Some treats that I've tried are as listed below! Just FYI, I am just sharing what I did with Lea. Every dog has different diet requirements so do check with your vet if you suspect your dog might be sensitive to certain food/snacks.
Happi Bone (RM17.90)
Alps Cod Supreme Cod Finger (RM18.90)
However, lately, Lea only has natural snacks/ homebaked goods. Maybe I will make another post on homemade dog snacks you can get in Malaysia. That'll be fun!
Once you get your dog food and snacks, you must buy something to put it in! First, i bought plastic bowls but Lea learned to topple it over whenever she wanted to be cheeky. So I got these for her food and water bowls. It's not very pretty but it does its job! The rubber at the bottom helps keep the bowl from moving and its low, which helps with the toppling over problem :)
Moving on, a collar and leash are important when you first get your puppy to let the world know that she is YOURS (just in case she decides to go for a stroll). You can find pretty affordable ones around that can range as low as RM5! If you are thinking of taking your dog for walks or runs, you might want to invest in a harness. A harness is a better choice for walks because it does not cause strain to your dog's neck if he/she pulls. I actually got my first collar, harness, and leash at Daiso for RM5.90 each! Unfortunately, I can't find the pictures of exact ones i bought but it was pretty darn cute!
Remember your puppy is going to find it strange to have things hooked and clipped on him/her so you might have to ease it with treats and patience! Here are some examples of a collar, leash, and harness! There are also different types of harnesses. Depending on the breed of your dog, you can research on which fits its body type the best!
If you're planning to groom your dog, there are a few products you will need to start!
- Shampoo! When I first got Lea, I was scared my budget was going out of hand, so I decided to opt for a cheaper shampoo which actually worked and smelt great! annnnnd... It cost me less than RM20.
- Ear Cleaner! I cannot stress how important ear cleaner fluids are. Since Lea's ears cover the ear canal, often enough there is wax buildup. When you do not clean that wax build up, it may turn into an irritable and painful infection. I will link the one I bought here. This is priced at RM37 but is a very reliable brand with many good reviews.
- Eye Solution! Dogs often get tear stains. Tear stains are hard and very hard to get of. With an eye solution, it softens it and makes it easier to remove. It also helps with discoloration!You can get it here! I can't seem to get a picture but you can click on the link.
- Toothpaste and Toothbrush! If you didn't know, your puppy's teeth will start falling out at 5-6 months. Most dogs may ingest it while eating but for some, you will find small teeth all around your house. Once the adult teeth start forming, it is advisable to start brushing your dog's teeth. It's not available in some pet shops so I won't be able to link this one but you can get an alternative. This too was below RM20! What's cool about this brand is the fact they have dental chew toys that you can squeeze the toothpaste in. Lea absolutely loves brushing her teeth because of the flavor of the toothpaste.
- Combs! Combing your pet is very important if you want to prevent matting. The one's I am still using are both from Daiso. One is a fine tooth comb and one is with wider spaced bristles. You can consult the pet shop advisor depending on your dog breed to find the best suitable comb.
Last but not least, TOYS, TOYSS, TOYSSS! I made sure I bought her a variety of toys from chewing toys to balls to soft toys. (This is still ongoing, the number of toys I have)
I always told myself that the initial buys are the most expensive, some of these will last you for the next few months! So don't beat yourself up too much. Enjoy it, it's actually a very exciting part of getting your new puppy.
Hugs and Kisses,
