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Introduction
Welcoming a new furry friend into your home is an exhilarating journey filled with anticipation and joy. As we eagerly awaited the arrival of Finch, our beloved cockapoo companion, we embarked on a mission to gather all the essential items needed to ensure his comfort, safety, and well-being. In this post, we’ll share the essential items we purchased before bringing Finch home, each carefully selected to provide him with the best start in his new home. Let me know in the comments below if there’s anything missing from the list! What items do you find essential for raising your little pup?
1. Comfortable Bedding:
Ensuring Finch had a cozy spot to call his own was a top priority. We opted for the Pets at Home Teddy Oval Bed in Navy, designed for ultimate comfort and support. This plush bed provided Finch with a luxurious retreat to rest and recharge after his adventures. We have since purchased a different bed, so he can have a place to call his own in multiple spots around the house, but he still prefers this Teddy Oval bed, even though he fits in it much more snuggly these days!
2. Nutritious Food and Treats:
Good nutrition is the foundation of a healthy lifestyle, so naturally I was completely overwhelmed by the number of choices for food. We initially got a 1.5 kg bag of Puppy food by Pooch & Mutt and a 2kg bag of Puppy food by Scrumbles. They are both mid-range food companies that seem to take care in selecting the best ingredients for your dog. We ended up sticking with Pooch and Mutt long term, as Finch had issues with his ears while eating Scrumbles, so we assume he has a grain intolerance. At the time, Scrumbles used higher welfare meat, which I was keen to purchase if it was within our price point. I have since looked at the ingredients and they no longer are using higher welfare meat and it seems their reviews have gone down drastically, so overall I’m happy we chose Pooch & Mutt. Finch is far from a picky eater, so we have been lucky in being able to choose based on a company that seems to align a bit with our values.
3. Durable leash, harness and collar:
Exploring the great outdoors with Finch was a thrilling prospect, so we equipped him with the Vivaglory Traffic Handle Reflective Dog Lead, the Poypet No Pull Harness and the Ateteo Reflective Collar. Crafted with durable materials and reflective stitching, this set ensured Finch’s safety and visibility during our outdoor adventures. I love the two handles on the lead, as it helps to keep him close on narrow footpaths or to ensure he doesn’t jump up if near another pup. The harness has surprisingly fit him from puppy to full-grown.
4. Car safety for your dog:
To keep Finch safe, secure and comfortable on any car journeys, we got him the Heritage Accessories Car Seat and the Beaface Headrest Dog Seatbelt. Not only does it keep him safe during the drive, but it also means he doesn’t attempt to jump out of the car as soon as you open the door. Here he is on his gotcha day, we had a 3-hour drive home and he was quite happy in his seat with a towel and some toys.
5. INteractive Toys and Enrichment Activities:
Keeping Finch entertained and mentally stimulated was essential, so we introduced him to the Fur & Bone 10 pack of puppy toys. I will admit, he has now worked through most of the toys, but they were perfect for his first year of playing around the house. You can see most of the toys in the rest of the pictures on this post, but here is the complete set.
To keep him mentally stimulated in between walks, we got several puzzle feeders. He tends to get every breakfast in what we call his ‘breakfast ball.’ The exact brand we purchased at the time is no longer available, but it’s very similar to this one by Ciivuur.
We also got him an Emwel Dog Snuffle Mat. This might be his favourite slow feeder. I usually prep his breakfast ball before we go for his morning walk. One day I decided to prep the snuffle mat before we went for his morning walk and he got as far as down our front steps and refused to go any further. Here he is checking it out for the first time.
Finally, we also got him a Kong. We didn’t bother with the puppy sized one, but that did mean we were unable to use it for the first few months we had him. Both the snuffle ball and the Kong are brilliant for taking with you to pubs and restaurants to keep your pup entertained while you focus on your meal. The Kong is also safe to leave with your dog when you go out, unlike a lot of chew toys, so it’s a great thing to have on hand – or keep one prepped in the freezer for last minute needs!
6. Random bits and bobs
You will obviously want to get yourself some poo bags for your furry little friend and I honestly can’t recommend this Earth Rated Dog Poo Bag Holder & Bags enough! I never thought I would love a dog poo bag holder, but I’ve got to say this one just surpassed all my expectations and I truly love it. It’s sturdy, durable and such a great design.
This Trixie toothpaste is one of the only ones that we could find that was mint flavoured, rather than liver and I have to say Finch absolutely loves it, and it freshens his breath! Win-win. It makes brushing his teeth a breeze!
We initially bought little bamboo toothbrushes, as I liked the idea of minimizing plastic use if we could – however Finch just treated these as sticks and would not stop chewing them. So now we use these Dog Finger Toothbrushes, which are super simple to use.
Conclusion
There are a few bits we got in the first few weeks of having Finch, which I think are more dog-specific. The grooming kit we use is specific to longer haired breads, and to be honest Finch is so anxious about getting brushed and groomed I’m not sure I should be recommending what we use (though it’s likely my technique and not the fault of the kit). We were also encouraged to get ear cleaner, however as mentioned above since switching to Pooch & Mutt we haven’t had any other issues with his ears.
As we reflect on the preparations we made before bringing Finch home, we’re filled with gratitude for the joy and companionship he has brought into our lives. Each carefully chosen item played a vital role in ensuring Finch’s comfort, happiness, and well-being as he settled into his new home. We hope our experience and recommendations will help fellow pet parents provide the best start for their furry companions as they embark on their own journey together. Remember to share this post with anyone you know that’s about to get a pup, and let me know in the comments if I’ve missed out on any essential bits!
Where tails and trails meet: journey through the UK's scenic landscapes with Finch 