A Guide to Pet Accessories: Create a Good Home for Your Furry Friend

Did you know that approximately 61% of Australian households have pets? Yes, this nation is among the leaders when it comes to keeping pets. Out of this percentage 40% of them are dogs, 27% are cats, and the rest are smaller animals such as rabbits, tortoises, frogs, fish or lizards.

But deciding to get a pet and taking care of it is not easy. Take into consideration your lifestyle and your free time before you adopt. Don’t take up responsibilities you can’t attend to. After you make your home pet friendly, you should buy all the essentials, plus some accessories to make the pet’s life easier.

Feeding Bowls

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Choosing the right feeding bowl for your furry friend is very important. It’s one of the objects they’ll be using multiple times a day and it’s crucial to make the right pick. Among the vast array of pet accessories this is at the top of the list. The first thing to consider is how much space you have. If you have enough, buy a bigger bowl. This way the food will be spread across the bottom and your pet will slow down when eating. If you have a smaller dog, for example, it’s good to get an automatic feeder because puppies should eat 4-5 small meals a day.

Washing the bowl is a must. So next time you buy a bowl, consider one that’s dishwasher safe or easy to clean by hand. Bowls can accumulate a lot of bacteria and keeping them clean is important. If your pet is energetic and moves while eating, you should get a bowl with a rubber base so it doesn’t move around while they eat. Or you can place it on a mat – either way, it works.

Basic bowls are usually round with a flat bottom. The best materials for these bowls are stainless steel, glass, and ceramic. These are easy to clean and hard to damage compared to the plastic ones which are lighter and usually hard to maintain. Stainless steel bowls are a special category. They’re one of the most selling types because they’re rust-resistant, dishwasher-safe, easy to clean and stain-proof. Plus, your pet can use them inside and outdoors.

The elevated type is perfect for larger pets, or pets that have a certain medical condition. It’ll make swallowing easier and won’t strain the neck. The slow feeder is for the speed eaters. It’ll prevent choking, stomach ache, and vomiting. By eating around they’ll feel more satiated. If you travel a lot with your pet, you should also get a travel bowl. These bowls are made from silicone or plastic and are very durable and easy to clean.

Cosy Blanket

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You can see a lot of pets walking around with their blanket and spending a lot of time with them. A blanket is not just something that’ll keep them warm. It’s a type of pet accessories that represents safety and comfort to them. That’s why choosing the right material, size and maintenance time is important. You might end up buying several blankets before finding the right one, but it’ll be worth it when you see your furry friend enjoying and relaxing with it.

The blanket is a sort of bedding for your pet. That’s why it needs to be thick enough and constructed of soft materials. Moreover, it should be gentle on their skin and breathable so they won’t sweat or feel cold in any circumstances. Don’t forget durability. You and your pet will play a lot of times with their blanket so you don’t want a material that rips off immediately. Cotton is one of the best choices you can make. It has everything your pet needs, plus it’s lightweight, so they can carry it around with ease.

When it comes to size, there isn’t one that’s compatible with every pet. The pet’s size and weight will determine the blanket’s size. They should be able to stretch on the blanket comfortably without the head or the legs staying uncovered. If it’s too small it won’t do its function right. Make sure the material is easy to clean and machine washable. This way you’ll save yourself some time and money, and your pet will be safe from any bacteria.

Travel Bed

Travelling with pets can be a hustle if you don’t have a nice seat for them to be comfortable in during the ride. This is one of the must-have pet accessories if you and your fluff travel a lot. It can be uncomfortable and impractical to put the regular bed you have at home. That’s why travel beds are designed to fit nicely in a car. They’re portable and lightweight and you can store them easily. Besides being cosy, these beds should be waterproof, simple to clean and maintain, and have some buckles or straps just in case.

Some pets experience anxiety when travelling, so if you take your companion along on regular trips, taking familiar objects with you can help. Giving your pet the same travel bed can contribute to his comfort and security and help him feel safe. Make sure you get the right size – you don’t want their feet or head hanging out. Lastly, take their health into consideration as well. If your pet has some specific needs, see that you make them as comfortable as possible.

Collars

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This is something that dog owners will need the most. Picking the ideal dog collar for your new friend might make all the difference. Entering the collar section at the pet store or looking for it online may even feel a little intimidating given the variety of choices available. You should familiarise yourself with the different types of collars before buying one. Here are some of the possible choices you have at pet accessories online stores:

Flat-buckle Collar

Dog collars with flat buckles, which are straightforward collars that buckle or snap shut, are the most common option. They’re very fashionable and you can find them in many different sizes and materials. Some of them even have reflective strips. They can be helpful when taking your dog for a walk during the night. The best collar to use for attaching dog tags is one with a flat buckle.

Martingale Collar

For dogs that have small heads or slender necks, these collars are ideal. They provide the same level of comfort as a typical flat-buckle collar, but with a twist. At each end, the collar is attached to rings that tighten it with every pull.

Choke Collar

This is not a very safe alternative because when you pull the control loop of this collar it tightens around the dog’s neck. Unfortunately, there is nothing on it to prevent it from being pulled too tightly. Your dog could suffer from throat injury as a result.

Body Harness

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For little dogs, or canines with delicate throats, the body harness is a common choice. Dogs don’t sense neck stress when wearing a body harness, so they may be more likely to pull on the leash. This is where you can benefit from a front-hook harness. Because the leash is attached in the front, you have more leverage and don’t have to use a lot of physical strength.