Minimalist illustration of a person holding a small dog on a leash, surrounded by simple icons representing dog care essentials like a food bowl, leash, toothbrush, and treat, all in a clean, modern style with a soft color palette.

How to Care for Your New Dog

Curated pets picks for UK shoppers.

Audience: UK shoppers Curated picks Skimmable + practical Jump to picks

Intro

Getting a new dog is a lot like moving house: you think you need one sensible thing, and suddenly you’re comparing lamb-and-rice kibble at midnight while your phone is covered in paw prints. Meanwhile your dog is thriving on chaos, eating something weird off the pavement, and looking at you like you’re the one who needs training.

This is a short, practical list for UK shoppers—stuff that helps with the daily basics: food, toilet logistics, teeth, treats, and the occasional “why is their tummy doing that?” moment. No fussy gadgets, no drama—just the boring kind of useful you’ll still appreciate on a rainy Tuesday.

How this list was chosen

I picked these with the “new dog chaos” phase in mind: simple stuff you’ll actually use, not gadgets you’ll side-eye from the corner.

  • Focused on everyday basics: food, toilet training, poo bags, dental care, digestion, and small training treats
  • Chose items that are easy to keep up with on a normal week (no fiddly routines or extra equipment)
  • Looked for clear, practical formats: big-value dry food bags, wet food for easy meals, powders/supplements you can add to meals, and ready-to-grab chews
  • Prioritised UK-available options that won’t require detective work to source or replace
  • Included a mix of “solve a problem fast” picks (pads, poo bags) and “quiet long-game” helpers (fibre, dental support)

The picks

WINALOT Meaty Chunks Adult Wet Dog

WINALOT Meaty Chunks Adult Wet Dog

4.7 · 19,264 reviews

WINALOT Meaty Chunks Adult Wet Dog fits here because it’s straightforward wet food for when you want dinner sorted without turning pet food into a research project. It’s handy for dogs who do better with softer meals, picky eaters who need a bit more smell-and-sauce motivation, or mixing into dry kibble to make it more appealing. Skip it if you’re sticking to a dry-only routine for cost or convenience, or if your dog’s on a very specific vet-guided diet.

Earth Rated Dog Poo Bags

Earth Rated Dog Poo Bags

4.7 · 225,215 reviews

Earth Rated Dog Poo Bags belong in this guide because they’re the unglamorous essential you only notice when you don’t have one—and then it’s suddenly a whole situation. They’re great for everyday walks, people who stash a roll in every pocket, and anyone tired of flimsy bags turning cleanup into a hand-sweat moment. If you never carry anything extra or your dog only goes in your own garden, you might not care enough to bother.

Harringtons Complete Dry Adult Dog Food Lamb & Rice 15kg

Harringtons Complete Dry Adult Dog Food Lamb & Rice 15kg

4.6 · 24,671 reviews

Harringtons Complete Dry Adult Dog Food Lamb & Rice 15kg is a solid pick because it’s everyday kibble in a big, no-drama bag—ideal if you’re trying to avoid turning pet food into a weekly logistics problem. It suits adult dogs who do well on a simple lamb-and-rice style diet, and households that want one dependable staple for regular meals. Skip it if you’re short on storage space, feeding a puppy, or your dog needs a tightly targeted diet for allergies or medical reasons.

ProDen PlaqueOff Powder for Dogs & Cats, Tartar & Bad Breath Remover

ProDen PlaqueOff Powder for Dogs & Cats, Tartar & Bad Breath Remover

4.3 · 41,650 reviews

ProDen PlaqueOff Powder earns a place in a “helpful on a Tuesday” list because it’s low-effort: sprinkle it over meals instead of turning dental care into a wrestling match. It’s most useful if your dog or cat’s breath announces them before they enter the room, or if your pet is firmly anti-toothbrush. Skip it if your pet is fussy about changes to their food, or if you want an instant fix—this is more of a steady habit than a quick reset.

Amazon Basics Dog and Puppy Training Pads, Leakproof

Amazon Basics Dog and Puppy Training Pads, Leakproof

4.5 · 224,477 reviews

Amazon Basics Dog and Puppy Training Pads make sense here because they’re simple, widely available, and built for the unglamorous reality of indoor accidents. They’re useful for house-training puppies, helping senior dogs who can’t always wait, or covering a spot while you’re out and don’t fancy gambling on the rug. If you’re avoiding disposables (or your dog treats pads like a chew toy), you’ll probably want washable options or a different training plan.

Pet Munchies Venison & Beef Liver Dog Training Treats

Pet Munchies Venison & Beef Liver Dog Training Treats

4.6 · 7,810 reviews

Pet Munchies Venison & Beef Liver Training Treats fit this guide because they’re a simple reward that keeps training moving instead of turning into a kitchen negotiation. They’re handy for recall practice, leash manners, and any “please don’t eat that” moment where you need your dog to pick you in under two seconds. Skip them if your dog has specific protein sensitivities, or if you’re trying to keep treats extremely low-calorie—training treats add up fast when you’re doing lots of reps.

Protexin Pro-Fibre for Dogs – High-Fibre Digestive Supplement with Prebiotics & Postbiotics

Protexin Pro-Fibre for Dogs – High-Fibre Digestive Supplement with Prebiotics & Postbiotics

4.6 · 8,504 reviews

Protexin Pro-Fibre earns its spot because it’s a quietly practical “save my carpets” cupboard staple—high fibre with prebiotics and postbiotics, without asking you to overhaul your dog’s whole diet. It’s useful when digestion is doing the hokey-cokey (diet changes, stress, travel, or random “why today?” moments) and you want something easy to add to food. Skip it if you’re dealing with persistent diarrhoea, blood, or sudden weight loss—at that point you need a vet, not another tub on the counter.

WHIMZEES Variety Box Dental M, 28 Pieces

WHIMZEES Variety Box Dental M, 28 Pieces

4.6 · 18,683 reviews

WHIMZEES Variety Box Dental (Size M, 28 pieces) fits here because it’s a low-fuss way to add a bit of dental care without turning it into a whole project. It’s good for the “hand over a chew after dinner” routine—especially if you like some variety instead of buying the same thing on repeat. Skip it if your dog wolfs chews in seconds, has dietary sensitivities you’re managing closely, or you need something you can portion precisely like powder or toothpaste.

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