Bringing home a new dog is an exciting time, whether you’re bringing home a puppy from a breeder or a rescued adult dog from a shelter. It’s important to make sure you have everything you need to get started in giving your new dog a happy, long life.
It can be difficult to know where to start, especially if you’re bringing home a specific breed, like a Pomeranian. After all, Poms do have some specific care considerations you should take into account when choosing supplies for them. Here are some of the essential things you’ll need.
Food
1. High-Quality Dog Food
| Type of Item | Food |
| Importance | 5/5 |
High-quality dog food is going to provide your Pomeranian with long-term nutrition, ensuring health and longevity. There are tons of dog foods on the market, though, making it confusing to choose. Dogs have different food needs based on their age, weight, and existing health conditions, so discuss what type of food your dog might need with your vet to ensure you’re choosing the best food to meet your dog’s needs.
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2. Detangling Brush
| Type of Item | Grooming |
| Importance | 4.5/5 |
Pomeranians have thick, long coats that require routine brushing to keep them healthy and free of tangles and mats. A detangling brush is the best way to maintain your dog’s coat. Even if your dog sees a professional groomer, you should be doing regular brushing between grooming visits. Poms often require brushing at least twice per week to maintain a healthy, tangle-free coat. By not brushing your dog regularly, you may allow coat and skin problems to occur, resulting in hair loss and even a need to be fully shaved in severe cases.
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3. Nail Clippers
| Type of Item | Grooming |
| Importance | 4/5 |
Their nail trimming needs can vary depending on how active your dog is. Most dogs require a nail trim at least once every month, but if your dog lives a relatively sedentary life or doesn’t walk on hard surfaces, like concrete, they may need more frequent nail trims. Not trimming your Pom’s nails can result in broken nails, which are extremely painful and can result in infection. Extremely long nails can even result in injuries in the toes and feet. If you’re unsure how to properly trim your dog’s nails, make sure to talk to your vet or groomer for guidance.
4. Shampoo and Conditioner
| Type of Item | Grooming |
| Importance | 3.5/5 |
If your Pomeranian regularly visits a groomer, then you may not need to bathe them routinely at home. Over-bathing can lead to skin dryness and irritation. However, not bathing your dog can also lead to issues with the skin and coat. With the thick coat of a Pomeranian, poor coat hygiene can allow for pests, like fleas, to go undetected. It can also lead to skin infections, matting, hot spots, and other problems. Choosing a shampoo and conditioner that is gentle on your dog’s skin and that will help keep the coat smooth and healthy, decreasing the risk of tangles between brushing, is essential.
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5. Training Treats
| Type of Item | Food |
| Importance | 4/5 |
Training treats are a fantastic way to get your Pom interested in training and activities. This is a highly intelligent dog breed that can be quite stubborn, so it’s important to find ways to convince your dog that the exercise you’re attempting is more interesting than anything else. High-value rewards are a great way to capture your dog’s attention. Keep in mind that Poms are very small dogs, so choosing a low-calorie training treat will help you treat your dog without leading to inappropriate weight gain.
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6. Soft Toys
| Type of Item | Toy |
| Importance | 4/5 |
Providing your Pomeranian with a selection of fun and interesting toys can help keep your dog from getting bored. Soft toys are often well-loved by small dogs, although you may have to carefully select tough toys if your Pom seems to be a big chewer. These types of toys often require supervision to ensure your dog doesn’t consume any part of the toy. Soft toys are a great way to allow your dog to play when they’re not in the mood for something tough and chewy. Some dogs even enjoy having a soft toy to cuddle with during their downtime.
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7. Chew Toys
| Type of Item | Toy |
| Importance | 4/5 |
Not every dog is going to be a big fan of having hard toys to chew on, but these toys can be a lifesaver if your dog is a chewer. Providing toys that allow your dog to get their energy and desire to chew out on something other than your furniture might save your sanity. It can also make it easier to train your dog by allowing them to be redirected to an appropriate toy to chew on. They can be especially beneficial for a teething puppy.
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8. Active Play Toys
| Type of Item | Toy |
| Importance | 4.5/5 |
You may not be sure what an active play toy is, but this is simply referring to a toy that requires you to play with. Some toys are not only best with the supervision of a person, but they benefit from a human being involved in the playtime itself. This is a good way to bond with your new dog. It can also help your Pomeranian burn excess energy by spending time directly with you. For some dogs, having specific toys that are only played with during playtime with their human makes that toy even more fun and exciting.
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9. Food and Water Bowls
| Type of Item | Food and water bowls |
| Importance | 5/5 |
Food and water bowls are an absolute necessity for you to have ready to go when your new Pomeranian walks through your front door. This allows you to provide your dog with the ability to eat their food in a clean environment, as well as give them access to clean water around the clock. Choosing a food bowl that is an appropriate size for your dog will help keep you from overfeeding them, but keep in mind that clean water should be available at all times unless you are distinctly told to withhold water by your veterinarian.
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10. Puzzles
| Type of Item | Toy |
| Importance | 4/5 |
Pomeranians are extremely intelligent dogs! Puzzles are a fantastic way to entertain your Pom’s brain and help them burn extra energy. Start slowly with puzzles as they can become frustrating to your dog if left to their own devices. Help your dog learn the puzzles you provide for them and rotate them regularly to keep things fresh and interesting. Puzzles can be used to feed treats and meals to your dog as well, making meal time more interesting.
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11. Home Dental Products
| Type of Item | Grooming |
| Importance | 4.5/5 |
Dental care is essential to maintaining your dog’s health, and it’s especially important to small breeds like Pomeranians because they are prone to developing dental disease. Home dental care is the recommended way to maintain your dog’s dental health between professional dental cleanings performed by your veterinarian. Not all dogs will agree to home dental care, but many dogs can be trained to accept it, especially if training begins when they are still young. Home dental care doesn’t replace professional dental care, but it is part of ensuring you maintain your dog’s overall dental health.
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12. Housetraining Supplies
| Type of Item | Housetraining |
| Importance | 3.5/5 |
If your dog comes to you already housetrained, you may get to skip this one, but if you bring home a puppy or a dog that has not been properly trained, then you’ll need housetraining supplies. Washable puppy pads are a great, eco-friendly option for housetraining your dog, while disposable puppy pads are extremely convenient. Some people find faux grass potty patches to be extremely helpful in housetraining their small dogs. This can be especially beneficial to people who live in apartments and urban areas with minimal grass.
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13. Kennel
| Type of Item | Housetraining |
| Importance | 5/5 |
There are multiple benefits to having a kennel for your dog. Kennel training allows your dog to have a safe, comfy “den” to relax in whenever they need to get away from everyone in the household. Some dogs enjoy napping in their kennel, while others may only go in the kennel when left home alone. This allows you to keep your dog safe and contained, which is especially important if you have a teething puppy or dog that hasn’t been fully housetrained. Kennel training also prepares your dog for vet visits and boarding facilities by getting them used to being enclosed in a cage, which may be necessary at some point in their life.
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14. Waste Collection Items
| Type of Item | Waste collection |
| Importance | 5/5 |
Picking up behind your dog is an absolute necessity. Dog waste left on the ground can negatively impact local wildlife through the spread of illnesses and parasites. It can also get washed into groundwater, leading to poor water quality, which can negatively impact humans and animals alike. Even in your own yard, dog waste is a threat and can create extremely unpleasant smells for you and your neighbors. When possible, opt for compostable dog poop bags since these are better for the environment than plastic bags.
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15. Dog Bed
| Type of Item | Bedding |
| Importance | 5/5 |
Your dog needs a cozy place to spend time. This can be in their kennel, on the floor, or on a piece of furniture. The type of bed you choose for your dog will depend on your home setup and your dog’s preferences. Some dogs are content with nothing more than a small blanket or pillow, while other dogs may want something big and cushy. When first bringing your new dog home, you might start with a small and inexpensive bed until you’ve had time to learn what they might like so you can update to a nicer bed down the road.
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16. Cleaning Supplies
| Type of Item | Cleaning supplies |
| Importance | 5/5 |
Maintaining a clean and hygienic environment for your dog is essential to their health, but it’s also important to select products that are safe to use around your dog. Urine removers and cleaning products that can be used to clean kennels and food and water bowls are all good products to have on hand to ensure your dog’s environment is clean and sanitary. Make sure to read the labels of any products you have carefully to ensure you are using them safely and in a way that will not bring harm to your dog.
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17. Collar
| Type of Item | Collars and leashes |
| Importance | 5/5 |
A collar is important for a variety of reasons, and it’s especially important to keep a collar with identification tags on your Pomeranian. Some people prefer not to keep a collar on their dog in the house, but when your dog goes on walks or into the yard, keeping a collar on is ideal. This allows your dog to be identified if they get loose. It also allows people who may see your loose dog to see that your dog isn’t a stray and begin working to get the dog back to you, even without identification tags.
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18. Leash
| Type of Item | Collars and leashes |
| Importance | 5/5 |
All dogs should be leash trained, even if you don’t take them for routine walks. Leash training doesn’t just allow you to take your dog for a walk around the block, but it also ensures they’ll be comfortable on a leash if needed by a veterinarian or pet sitter. If you plan to take your Pomeranian for routine walks, a reliable leash is a must. It’s best to avoid retractable leashes as these allow you minimal control and may lead to injuries for you or your dog. A leash that keeps your dog close to you and allows you to keep control over walking situations.
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Conclusion
Being properly prepared when you bring your dog home will set you and your dog up for success. Your dog’s vet will be able to assist you in selecting a variety of products, but this is a great starting point for knowing the most important products you should already have on hand when you bring your new Pomeranian home. Keep in mind that Poms are small breed dogs, so the products you choose should be an appropriate size for your small dog.
Featured Image Credit: Stefan foto video, Shutterstock