Dog running on grass

First time dog owner guide

Some ideas to help welcome and care for your new family member

Dog running on grass

What you will need with a new dog

There are several things you need to think about and buy such as:

  • food – try your dog on wet and dry food to see what they prefer and start thinking about a food plan.
  • collar with an identification tag – so your contact information is always on your dog.
  • bowls – one for water and one for food.
  • a lead – to make sure your dog stays close when you're out walking.
  • poo bags – make sure you have these if you leave the house with your dog.
  • microchipping - it is a legal requirement for all dogs in England and Wales to be microchipped by 8 weeks and for owners to keep their contact details up to date.
  • pet insurance - insuring your dog at a young age will ensure cover is in place prior to any conditions developing. If your dog is older they could be more prone to illness so insurance can help with health concerns.

If you are with Co-op Pet Insurance, you can speak to a vet any time with unlimited 24/7 video calls through FirstVet. You can book a same-day video call with a qualified vet, and it will not count as a claim. It is great for first-time dog owners who want to check they’re doing things right.

What dogs need

From nutritious food and regular exercise to a safe place to sleep and routine vet visits, there are a few key things every dog requires. These essentials help build a strong foundation for your dog’s wellbeing.

Pet insurance

If your dog is still young, taking out insurance early can be beneficial. It can help cover conditions before they develop, giving you peace of mind and helping you avoid unexpected costs later on. If your dog is older they could be more prone to illness so insurance can help with health concerns.

FirstVet is a service included with Co-op Pet Insurance which enables you to make same-day appointments with qualified vets with no impact on claims.

Managing vet bills

Vet care can be expensive, especially if your dog becomes ill or gets injured. Pet insurance helps you manage these costs, so you can focus on what matters most - spending time with your new family member.

Caring for your new dog

It can be daunting to be a first time dog owner. We have gathered together some articles to help.

Pet insurance is offered through Co‑op Insurance Services and administered by Insurance Factory Limited.

Co-op Insurance policies are administered by Insurance Factory Limited. Insurance Factory Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under Financial Services Register number 306164, a company registered in England and Wales under company number 02982445 with registered office: 45 Westerham Road, Bessels Green, Sevenoaks, TN13 2QB. Insurance Factory Limited is part of the Markerstudy Group of companies. Co-op Insurance and the Co-op logo are registered trademarks of Co-operative Group Limited or its affiliates and are used under licence by Insurance Factory Limited.

Calls are charged at local rates from landline and mobiles. If your phone has inclusive minutes these calls are normally included.

Co-op Insurance Services Limited will receive a percentage commission from your insurance payments.