Must-Have Supplies for Your Dog

The ultimate checklist for organized pet parents who love to plan ahead.

The Ultimate Dog Supplies Checklist

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge planner and obsessively organized. I love being prepared for anything and everything, and as far as my dog supplies are concerned, my backup has a backup. I have learned so much over the years caring for my dogs and my clients’ dogs; I thought I would share some of my favorite supplies that keep my household up and running!

Small scruffy dog holding a red leash

Always On Hand

  • Back-Up Dog Food
  • Back-Up Collar and Leash for Each Dog
  • Lighted Collar: for safe walking at night and outdoor events
  • Maleseb Shampoo: my absolute favorite soap-free anti-microbial shampoo. Great for itching, yeast, bacteria, and fungus.
  • Pepto-Bismol: for upset bellies and diarrhea
  • Metronidazole (Flagyl): a prescriptive oral antibiotic that is commonly used for giardia, gastrointestinal issues, IBS, and diarrhea.
  • Silver Sulfadiazine: a prescriptive antibiotic cream initially developed for burn patients that also helps prevent scarring and helps regrow hair at the injury site. It is my go-to antibiotic cream!
  • Dye-Free Benadryl: used as an antihistamine and helps with motion sickness and will often make a dog a bit drowsy
  • Rimadyl: prescription painkiller/anti-inflamatory
  • Otomax (Gentamicin): prescriptive and great at treating bacterial ear infections
  • Neo Poly Dex: prescription used to treat bacterial eye infections.
  • Capstar: tablet that kills fleas. Begins working within 30 minutes.
  • Pepcid (famotidine): reduces stomach acid, treats ulcers, and reduces stomach pain
  • Pill Pockets
  • Hydrogen Peroxide: Cleans wounds and can induce vomiting
  • Turkey Baster: great for giving hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting
  • Small, Medium & Large Syringes: to dispense liquid medication or clean superficial wounds
  • Digital Thermometer
  • 100% Pure Pumpkin: great to settle gastrointestinal tracts, diarrhea, and constipation

First Aid Box

One of the most important things you can have for your dog’s care is a well-thought-out first aid kit. The kit should be easily accessible in case of natural disasters and contain current pet info and unexpired medications. I suggest you inventory once a year.

  • Veterinarian’s contact information: Have numbers for both your family veterinarian and an after-hours emergency veterinarian readily available
  • Copies of pets medical records, including rabies vaccination
  • Spare Collar & Leash
  • Soft Muzzle
  • E-collar (inflatable requires less storage space)
  • Back up supply of any necessary daily medications
  • Pepto-Bismol
  • Dye-Free Benadryl
  • Clear Pedialyte
  • Hydrogen peroxide to clean a wound or to endure vomiting
  • Milk of Magnesia
  • Antibiotic Cream (I prefer Silver Sulfadiazine)
  • Liquid Bandage
  • Vet Wrap, Medical Tape, and
  • Scissors: for cutting hair and bandages
  • Tweezers: for removing objects from skin or paws
  • Small, Medium, and Large Syringes: to dispense liquid medication or clean superficial wounds
  • Gloves: to help protect you and keep the wound sanitary
  • Gauze pads: for cleaning injuries
  • Gauze rolls: to wrap around wounds or use as a safety muzzle
  • Alcohol prep pads: to sterilize items such as scissors or tweezers
  • Cold pack: to reduce swelling or pain
  • Digital thermometer: to find out if your pet is running a fever (a mercury thermometer can shatter)
  • Rags or rubber tubing to use as a tourniquet
  • Blanket or towel: to wrap around an injured pet, carry an injured pet, and provide warmth