Dog Accessories - Complete Guide

Author: Laura McKinney
Date Of Creation: 10 August 2021
Update Date: 6 November 2024
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Content

Everything you can imagine. With this sentence, we can define the current situation with regard to dog accessories. In recent years the pet market has become even more heated. According to a survey released by Instituto Pet Brasil in 2020, there are 55.1 million dogs living as pets in the country[1]. The result is positive, as there are more and more product options available for all types of dogs, whether they are puppies, adults or those with special needs.

That's why in this PeritoAnimal article we'll talk about the most important canine accessories classified by categories, so that you have different options available according to your pet's needs and you always get it right when choosing the most suitable for your furry friend.


Dog accessories in the car

The first thing we might need to do with our dog is probably a car trip to take him to his new home. Depending on where we live, there are different rules about how he must travel in the vehicle. Therefore, we must consult the competent authorities so as not to commit any illegality.

We may be required to drive the vehicle in different ways:

  • belt and harness: one possibility is to take it with a belt and harness, which can be purchased in different sizes at specialized stores.
  • Partition network: another option is to get a net that prevents the dog from accessing the front seats.
  • Transport box: it is also possible to travel inside a dog carrier. This is a good option especially for transporting puppies or little dogs.

However, if the dog is going to travel on the bench, it is advisable to cover it with a cover to protect the upholstery from fur, stains and even vomiting, in case the furry one gets sick, which can happen especially on his first trips.


Also read here at PeritoAnimal the article Tips for your dog not to get sick in the car, which can be very useful for you.

dog beds

When he gets home, it is important that the dog has a place to rest. There are more and more options for dog beds, especially for the little ones. In fact, there are even special sofas and beds for your rest. If you want to get your purchase right, the first thing you should do is take into account your pet's measurements. Although puppies usually sleep a little curled up, the bed should have enough space to cover its entire length in case they decide to stretch out.

Dog beds - Types and how to choose

Regarding dog beds, you should know that there are different types, such as:


  • mat
  • Cushion
  • nest style

These options are usually for small dogs, with rectangular or round shapes. As for the material, there are ways to:

  • viscoelastic foam
  • whole pieces of foam
  • Cloth

Covers or pillowcases, on the other hand, can be, among others, of:

  • Cotton
  • waterproofs
  • Velvet
  • There
  • Leather

There is so much variety that you are sure to find the color and design that matches the House decoration. Keep in mind that if he is used to climbing on the couch or bed, it might be a good idea to put on a cover to protect him from fur and dirt. Here are some tips so you can make a good bed choice:

  • Look for a material that can support the dog weight without sinking, especially if you live with a large dog or one that has mobility problems.
  • Dogs do not need to be covered to withstand the cold, but they do need to have a good insulating below.
  • Make sure the cover can be completely removed and washed in the washing machine. With two covers you will always have a clean bed. You can also put a blanket or sheet over the bed so it doesn't get so dirty.
  • If your dog is the type that gets muddy or suffers from some level of urinary incontinence, choose a waterproof fabric so it doesn't reach the foam.
  • Finally, don't look for a very fancy puppy bed. It is likely to be destroyed in the first few months of your life. Choose a cheap bed or just give him a box of your old clothes. So if he tears those clothes off, just put others in their place.

With the bed chosen, in this article you will discover how to teach your dog to sleep in his bed step by step.

Dog accessories: feeder and water cooler

You feeders and drinkers are mandatory in the dog accessories list. They are available in different sizes and materials such as plastic, stainless steel or ceramic. You can also find them collapsible for outdoor use. Some are tall, which is usually more ergonomic for the dog and particularly advantageous for certain health problems. There are also double folds for placing water next to food. Others are interactive and emboss where the food is, which encourages the dog to scramble to catch it. This helps to control anxiety in the greedy breeds.

Also, there are washcloths that can be placed under the feeders and drinking fountains so as not to soil the floor. And if you like homemade food, you'll even find machines to make biscuits for your dog. These tips can help you decide what to buy:

  • Avoid plastic as it can cause allergic reactions and also deteriorate over time. Ceramics are also delicate because they can break.
  • It is better to have a separate bowl for water and one for feed so that water does not get into the food and vice versa.
  • Pay attention to the size of the bowl you will need by noting the amount of food your dog eats.
  • Note if the bowl shape meet your dog's characteristics. For example, if your dog's ears are long and dangling, look for a narrow-mouthed feeder that won't allow him to put them inside.

And, if you prefer, you can make yourself a homemade eater and drinker. In the following video, we explain how to make a homemade dog feeder. Also, in this other article, we explain the benefits of tall dog feeders.

Accessories for walking a dog

Walking is a favorite time for many dogs, but you have to go out on the street well equipped. Once again, we find a wide variety of dog accessories in this category. The most basic is joining the collar and strap, found in different materials, designs, lengths, thicknesses, colors, and can be extendable or fixed, etc. You can also choose a harness, with important advantages, especially for dogs that pull a lot. Also, if your dog is of a breed like the greyhound, it is advisable to wear a wide collar. specific to your anatomy.

Of course, you can't forget to always go out with bags to collect the dog's poop and, depending on the legislation where you live and the breed of your puppy, it may be mandatory to walk him with a muzzle. There are also options for this accessory, such as simple or biodegradable plastic bags. Another interesting accessory is the identification tag, which can be customized. There are several ways to do it, such as putting the pet's name with our phone number. If he gets lost one day and someone finds him, it will make it easier for him to get home.

Finally, depending on the weather and your dog's physical characteristics, he may need accessories to protect him from the cold and rain, such as a coat or raincoat, or to prevent sunburn. Some dogs will need sunglasses and even sunscreen for their skin. Check out some tips that can help you in your choice:

  • For harnesses, collars and straps, nylon is a good choice because it is easy to wash without damaging the material. If you're interested, in this PeritoAnimal article we show you how to make a dog collar.
  • Extendable straps or chains, unless your dog is very calm and always walks with you, can break, become tangled, allow the dog to walk too far, or even hurt your hands. Before choosing, be aware of these details.
  • For regular rides, a strap length of about 1 meter is sufficient.
  • Measure your dog's neck to choose the size of the collar and keep in mind that if it's a puppy, it will grow.
  • Sunscreen has to be specific for dogs, what we humans use is not suitable for him. Talk this over with your veterinarian.

Dog accessories: hygiene and health

Another category of countless dog accessories is hygiene and health. Hygiene includes bathing, brushing or accessories for animals that are in heat. In the health area, we will review the basic kit to have at home. Key hygiene accessories include:

  • Dog specific shampoo: and any other product, such as a softener or detangling agent, that can be recommended in a dog salon. THE colony is optional for the dog and is completely expendable.
  • Brush: brush, comb, cloth or rubber glove, depending on the characteristics of the blanket or jacket you use.
  • Towel and dryer, as it is essential that the hair is completely dry.
  • nail clipper: although the dog usually uses its nails when walking, those of the fifth toe can grow into the flesh as they don't touch the ground.
  • hair trimmer: If you want to cut his fur at home, you will need a machine, but make sure it is the most suitable for your dog's fur type.
  • Elastic bands: using rubber bands to secure your dog's fur can be helpful in preventing it from covering your pet's eyes.
  • Wet wipes for dogs: or use dry shampoo. Both are useful for emergencies or for cleaning small areas without having to re-bath.
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste: it's good to get them used to oral hygiene.
  • Dog panties and diapers: there are panties and diapers for dogs that are in heat, which help prevent unwanted stains. There are different sizes, but don't forget that the current recommendation is castration.

With regard to health, in addition to always having at hand the phone number of our trusted veterinarian and one for emergencies if ours is not available, a basic first aid kit must contain:

  • Saline solution, very useful for washing wounds, eyes, etc.
  • Different size gauze
  • Bandage, at least one roll and one elastic bandage
  • Disinfectant such as chlorhexidine
  • Muzzle, because an injured dog can react aggressively
  • Tweezers for extracting foreign bodies such as barbs
  • Special tweezers for removing ticks
  • Thermometer for rectal use
  • Gloves for hygienic handling
  • Scissors

Puppies Accessories

All the dog accessories we've mentioned so far are also suitable for puppies. But with the little ones, there is another group of accessories that are very important for them: toys. There are many types of toys for dogs, with options in all shapes, sizes and colors, with or without sound, to chase, bite, interact, hide rewards, etc.

It's best to buy a basic kit at first and then, depending on your taste, focus on your favorite toys. It's good to have a few and not give them all at once, making a sort of relay between them so that they are new and attractive. It's interesting to have at least:

  • Ball
  • biter
  • Food Dispensing Toys such as Kong
  • For the more experienced, a smart or interactive game

Finally, another accessory we may need for puppies is training pads, which are used to teach them to urinate at a certain point in the house when they are not yet able to hold on or cannot go outside because they have not completed the schedule. of vaccination.

Accessories for training dogs

There is a group of accessories for dogs that serve for their training, that is, for them to learn, at least, the basic rules of obedience that everyone must know to live in harmony with people and other animals.

Education is not just for puppies. Dogs have the ability to learn at any age. While our words of praise and caresses serve to reward them for behaviors we approve of and seek to repeat, rewards in the form of food are known to be a very strong motivator. That's why you'll find a wide variety of cookies and snacks for sale. To choose one, look for quality and keep in mind that these rewards cannot be more than 10% of the total daily ration. Otherwise, you risk your dog getting fat. There are even specific bags so that you can carry these reward cookies comfortably.

As for the training itself, some professionals use the so-called clicker. This is an accessory that "clicks" when you press it with your finger. The noise is made just when the dog does something right, so he ends up relating the sound to a behavior we value highly, which is why he will repeat it. Also, there are different materials, such as straps or lures, that can be used, although it is much better to have the recommendations from a professional. By the way, never use spiked or electric collars on your dog.

Accessories for athlete dogs

If your dog is one of those who like to run and exercise, you can choose to prepare it for agility or canicross circuits. You will find many accessories for this sport area, which will also help you to play sport with your dog at home.

So, there are different types of collars that are used around the waist to keep your hands free or all kinds of objects and structures to practice dog obedience and agility. As an example we have cones, walkways, arches, jump bars, etc. Either one is ideal if you have land where you can place them.

If you want, even if you don't want to compete, start from the lowest to the highest difficulty, always taking into account the dog's characteristics. In addition, to practice sports you will even find special shoes so they don't hurt their paws, as well as protectors for them.

Accessories for dogs: house exterior

Living with a dog and being able to take advantage of a field where you can play with him and propose different activities, in addition to lying in the sun, is great luck. But, even if you only have a balcony or balcony, it is possible to use them for the dogs.

For example, a dog pool is an essential accessory for those pets who love water. They will like to cool off during the warmer months. Keep in mind that if your dog is going to be outside, even for a few hours, he should have some space to shelter himself from the heat, cold, or rain.

There are many dog ​​houses of all sizes and prices for sale. In some cases, a dog carrier can do the same job, but its size has to be big enough for the dog to stretch out inside.

Accessories for small dogs

Small dogs, like any other dog, can enjoy the accessories we mentioned above. But we can also find others where we humans can take advantage of its small size to have a little more comfort taking it with us to different places. Some examples are the purses, shoulder bags, backpacks or even strollers that allow us to go with our little companion everywhere quickly and comfortably. Entry to shops or public transport can easily be done this way.

In addition, there is a whole market full of options for smaller dog breeds, with clothes, bows and, in general, all kinds of accessories considered luxury and characterized by tulle skirts or bows. It's a fashion that, of course, the dog doesn't need.

Accessories for big dogs

The older dogs are right special needs. All accessories mentioned so far are valid but may need to be adapted. For example, you might have a harness and a seat belt for the car, but you may also need a ramp to climb.

Another thing is the type of bed. Of course, you can use whichever type you feel best that allows the dog to rest his joints, but if he has any type of urinary incontinence, there are sprays that can be used to waterproof the bed or you can buy one. waterproof blanket and cover the bed with it.

In addition, other accessories can facilitate your mobility, such as rehabilitation harness, which allow them to be held by us when their hind legs fail. On the other hand, if you want to offer some food supplement to the dog, it is best to consult your veterinarian about this first.

Accessories for blind or deaf dogs

The most developed and important sense for dogs is the smell. This is why they can live without sight or hearing, although it is necessary that if our dog is in this situation, we inform ourselves about the measures that will make your life easier.

In the accessories section you can find collars, harnesses and straps on which the word "deaf" or "blind" is written. Sounds like a silly thing to do, but it can stop careless people from approaching or help you locate your pet if it ever gets lost.Also, to avoid this type of problem, there are necklaces with GPS on the market so we can always know where they are.

On the other hand, they invented a harness for blind dogs which features a ring that sits in front of the dog. This prevents him from colliding, as the obstacle will hit the ring before the dog. Blind dogs also play and prefer toys that make sounds. You can find out more in this other PeritoAnimal article about the care of blind dogs.

Accessories for deaf dogs

As for the deaf dogs, there are also collars for them. They emit a vibration that we activate remotely when we want to call them. It is true that it requires prior training for the dog to know that the vibration he feels means he must pay attention to our calling, but they learn quickly and benefits are considerable. This type of specific accessory is also useful for older dogs who lose their hearing and vision as they age.