Pet Product Essentials for a Happy, Healthy Pet

Pets have certain needs that must be fulfilled if we want them to stay healthy and content. That’s where pet products come in; these include especially created products that are essential for the pets. These products are designed as per the special needs of pets and are pre-tested on animals to ensure their safety and functionality.

Once we acquire a pet and induct them within the family, we have to provide proper nutrition with quality food and treats, ensure proper hygiene with grooming supplies and parasite prevention, and offer enrichment through appropriate toys and a comfortable bed / resting place. Other essential items include a durable collar and leash, a pet carrier for travel, a litter box if applicable, and aids for training and health. Their needs and preferences take precedence when we are out to choose pet products for our fur babies.

There could be an argument here that why do we buy these particular pet-specific products which are much more expensive? Why not just get an alternate of those products that are meant for human use? Example food, utensils, grooming tools etc. To answer these concerns, we must realize that pets are not the same as humans. They have different anatomy, chemical buildup, lifecycle, behavior, lifestyle, etc. If we use a product which is not especially designed for pet usage, it might not be effective; or even worse, it may have negative implications on the pet. For instance, if we feed human food to the pets, it might cause indigestion or malnutrition issues; similarly, a human hair trimmer might cause injury. Therefore it is better to be safe than sorry; using pet products for our pets is the most appropriate and risk-free option.

For better understanding, we have bifurcated these pet products into different categories (as per their functions). These are stated before:

Feeding & Nutrition

• Nutritious Food: Pet food is the most important pet product in this industry. While choosing the pet food we must ensure that we pick high-quality food options that match the pet’s age, breed and health condition. Given the right food is the basic need of our pet. While making this decision, we need to review the food ingredients, dry / wet food alternates, meal quantities, feeding timing, allergic reactions, etc.
• Treats: We generally use pet treats for while training the pets; these treats also aid in maintaining dental hygiene. Therefore, treats are an important pet product and should only be purchased after proper research.
• Bowls: Pet food must be served in durable and easy-to-clean bowls to ensure convenience and hygiene. No debris should accumulate in or around the food and drinking utensils of pets. Nowadays, an automatic water dispenser or fountain is also available; it could be considered as it provides constant hydration option. Many modern pet products are available which are used for feeding; they are quite affective in terms of convenience as well as aesthetics.

Health & Hygiene

• Grooming Tools: A grooming kit is an important pet product, which is needed to keep the pet’s fur, nails, and teeth clean.
• Parasite Prevention: We must use pet products to treat and avoid problems that are caused by fleas, ticks, and internal parasites. While choosing these products, we should go for those brands that are recommended by vets.
• Dental Care: We must use pet-safe toothbrushes, toothpaste and dental chews to prevent plaque buildup as special pet products pertaining to dental health are available in the market.
• First Aid: We should have a basic first aid kit with supplies like bandages, ointments, pet relief syrup, a pet-safe thermometer, and the veterinarian’s contact information. In fact, his number should be saved in our phone’s speed dial list.

Comfort & Safety

• Bedding: We should provide a comfortable and secure bed to our pet to rest as bed is one of the most important pet products.
• Collars & Leashes: These are an essential pet products required for the pet’s safety and exercise regime; and we should also ensure that the collars and leashes are comfortable and have an ID tag.
• Pet Carrier: A safe and comfortable carrier is a crucial pet product used for travel purpose; whether it’s a trip to the vet or a leisure time outing we must have a pet carrier.
• Litter Box: In case of cats, a litter box and training pads are extremely necessary pet products as they ensure cleanliness of the environment.

Enrichment & Training

• Toys: We must offer interactive toys to our pets in order to provide mental stimulation and prevent boredom. Durable chew toys promote oral health and therefore these pet products should be chosen with care.
• Training Aids: We must use training aids and treats to encourage obedience and good behavior. These pet products promote and facilitate training process and must be acquired for your pets.
  As human beings, we need so many products to facilitate ourselves and ensure the smooth running of our lives. Similarly, pets also need certain products and services and since they cannot fend of themselves, therefore we, as pet owners must provide them with those pet products. Being a pet parent is a huge responsibility and involves many areas of attention, which are crucial for the pet’s health, happiness and overall wellbeing.