International Dog Day was founded in 2004 by Colleen Page, an animal welfare officer and animal lifestyle expert, and is celebrated on August 26 each year. It celebrates all races – mixed and pure.
It is designed to help people see the number of dogs that need to be rescued each day and to pay tribute to the puppies who provide safety and freedom by helping the disabled or blind, for example.
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, The Dogs Trust reported that searches to ‘buy puppies’ online increased by 120% after the lockdown was announced on March 23.
Likewise, searches to “adopt puppies” have increased by more than 130% over the same period, according to digital marketing agency Propellernet.
With such an increase in dog adoptions, if you don’t have a puppy on lockdown, there’s a good chance someone you know may have.
Or maybe you’ve long enjoyed dog ownership by having a loving four-legged friend for years.
Whatever your pet’s status, we’ve put together everything you need to keep your dog happy – beds and
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beds
Dogs spend almost half of their life sleeping. It is therefore important that you have a comfortable, durable and supportive bed.
Ideally, the bed will have a machine washable cover and other practical features such as waterproofing.
In our guide to the best dog beds, this Sleepeezee dog bed (Sleepeezee, £ 79.99) was the winner.
You can wash it at 60 ° C and there is even the option to personalize it with your dog’s name. It comes in three sizes and five different colors and will not only fit your dog but the right one as well. It also goes with your decoration. You can also donate £ 1 to Battersea Cats and Dogs Home.
If your dog has fearful tendencies, the Dog’s Balls Dog Bed (Amazon, £ 34.99) is the perfect option as it appeals to a dog’s nesting instinct. The cover is machine washable and you can purchase spare parts separately. We also love the color scheme it comes in.
You may want to consider a crate, as it has been proven to provide shelter and privacy for your dog, as well as a training aid to teach puppies who need to learn to be left alone. They are also ideal for transporting your dog from A to B.
This two-door dog crate from Pets at Home (Pets at Home, £ 32) does the job well.
It is quick and easy to assemble and is made of strong, sturdy metal. It is therefore also suitable for the most exuberant dogs. Make it more comfortable by sliding into this simple dog crate mattress from Pets At Home (Pets at Home, from £ 8).
Food and treats
The British Veterinary Association recommends that any pet food that is commercially made in the UK and meets the guidelines of the Pet Food Manufacturing Association (PFMA) meets all of your pet’s nutritional needs.
When shopping for the right dog food for your pet, look for products that are appropriate for their age (eg, puppies, adults, or the elderly) and look for a brand of dog food labeled “complete” and a manufacturer. part of the PFMA.
All of Lily’s Kitchen’s assortments offer wet or dry food options as well as selection boxes if you want a variety of snacks and meals at the same time. You can also filter by age, product type or specific diet on the website.
Chicken and Duck Dry Food (Lily’s Kitchen, from £ 7.80) is grain free and has all the natural goodness your puppy needs. In addition, the brand is B Corp certified, which means that it has very high levels of sustainable and ethical references.
If you are very early on in dog ownership, you will probably be trying to train your puppy. Therefore, you will need a lot of goodies to help you out.
These Edgar & Cooper Chicken Bites (Edgar & Cooper, £ 3.14) will have your dog doing all the tricks in no time.
They are grain free and high in protein and their packaging is 100% biodegradable. Edgard & Cooper also donates 10% of its profits to the dog care clinic in Sri Lanka.
Another great option is dental treatment,
Not only does this make your dog eat more slowly, it also turns feeding time into a game that stimulates chewing.
Toys
Keeping your dog entertained can be hard work, especially if he is very energetic – this is where a good toy comes in handy.
In our guide to the best dog toys, we loved Chuck! Ultra Balls (Amazon, £ 7.15). These durable and long lasting products are perfect for a play in the park.
They jump well, swim in water and are easy to wash – a real crowd puller.
If you’re looking for something to challenge your dog with, this Trixie Canine Activity Strategy Trick Toy (Pets in the Home, £ 20) is a great choice.
The game consists of a tower with three stakes in which small goodies are placed. The goal is for your dog to use the loops to collect the treats. It will keep you entertained for hours while you work from home.
Care products
Dogs, like humans, like to be kept clean. While trips to the groomers can be an option, it can be expensive and you can just as easily keep your furry friend clean at home.
This baby shampoo from Groom Professional (Christies Direct, £ 6.95) is the best there is.
Aloe vera takes care of your dog’s skin and coat and at the same time gives it a real glow. With natural ingredients, you will be happy to know that it is unlikely to irritate your dog.
Once you’ve washed your puppy properly, have this extra large, high performance micro-threaded dog cloth (Paws & Presto, £ 12.95) handy from Paws & Presto.
In our roundup of the best dog grooming products, our test subjects praised the ability to make the process of drying a wet dog easier. absorbs more moisture than the others tested. Plus, it washes well – a great all-rounder.
Keeping your dog brushed is also important. This keeps the coat in the best possible condition and has even been shown to reduce stress.
If you have a short-haired dog, we recommend using this FURminator undercoat hair removal tool (pets from: £ 25).
Combing through the topcoat removes loose undercoat safely and easily without damaging or cutting your dog’s skin. Use for 10 minutes once or twice a week for best results.
Alternatively, for long haired dogs, we would go for this Tangle Teezer Pet Teezer which removes the dog grooming brush (John Lewis & Partners, £ 12).
Two-step dental technology removes dirt with longer teeth while shorter teeth pick up loose hair.
Collars, straps and leashes
Harnesses are increasingly popular due to the benefits they offer. For example, it’s a great training tool for puppies to learn to behave on a leash. They also discourage pulling and mean you don’t have to worry about gagging your dog if he tries to jump. Straps are especially beneficial for Pugs and French Bulldogs as they reduce the risk of neck injuries.
For an easy-to-put on and comfortable everyday harness for dogs, this dog harness from Ruffwear (Waitrose & Partners, £ 39.99) is a safety option.
With a comprehensive sizing guide, you can choose the best fit for your dog.
Alternatively, this brown and red quilted dog collar from Dogs & Horses (Fetch, from £ 40) was the favorite in our top dog collar rating.
The padded interior lining is comfortable for long periods of wear and, thanks to its classic leather construction, also ages well.
When it comes to a leash and you’re looking for something stylish and durable, go for this fabric and leather dog leash from Ralph & Co (Ralph & Co, £ 14.99).
Machine washable and easy to remove mud residue. You don’t have to worry about the dirt. And the Italian buckles are strong and weatherproof.
Pet cameras
While you’ve probably spent more time with your pet than usual, consider getting a security camera to look after your dog if you’re spending less time at home.
The Furbo dog camera (Furbo, £ 169) has proven to be a favorite in our ranking of the best pet cameras.
This ingenious, high-tech piece of the kit includes a treat dispenser controlled by your smartphone, a two-way speaker, a bark sensor that alerts you when it hears dog noises, and a video camera.