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August is underway, which means we’re officially in the dog days of summer. And that’s not just figuratively speaking. According to Forbes, pet ownership has increased over the last three decades—at the start of 2024, 66% of households in America had already owned a pet. In New York City alone, 22% of homes have a pup!
If you’re reading this, it may be because you’ve just got yourself—or you’re planning to acquire—a furry bundle of joy that will soon take up half of your camera roll. (The transition into a Kris-Jenner-You’re-Doing-Amazing-Sweetie type of dog mom happens very quickly.) One caveat for novice owners: there are surely some parts of puppyhood that won t feel exactly like joy in the beginning, but trust me—giving a dog its forever home is the best decision you’ll ever make, for everybody’s sake. Someone to tell your secrets to without judgment? A Netflix-and-chill buddy on command? Unconditional loyalty and emotional support during the best and worst of times? Worth it.
Vogue’s Favorite Dog Essentials:
Featured in this article
Now, what are the dog parent necessities to be set up for success? Similar to a baby or a toddler, these pets require a home that’s, well, “baby-proofed” to a certain degree. If your four-legged friend is a young puppy, you’ll have to think about potty training aids and heavy-duty gates. For those that are more senior, you may want to consider soft blankets and elevated feeders for mealtime comfort. (All of which can double as fabulous gifts for dog lovers and pet parents, and come in handy even if you just do the occasional dog sitting—hello, brownie points!)
Rest assured, Vogue has more than its fair share of proud dog parents who have already tested and stocked up on some of the very best (and stylish!) dog essentials as part of our special Dogue package (have you seen our new Dogue cover star?). Whether you’ve got yourself a Frenchie, a Maltipoo, or a large, double-coated breed, here are the editor-vetted, pooch-approved must-haves to shop now. Your new best friend will thank you—in licks, tail wags, and happy yaps, of course.
Chloe Malle, Editor, Vogue.com
We love this personalized leash and collar set for Lloyd, with his name and my phone number embroidered on the collar. Lloyd gets extremely stressed when people come into our house, so the only thing that soothes him is a delicious treat. In the summer, my husband likes to make Lloyd bouillon popsicles with homemade chicken broth. The perfect vessel for this high-end treat is the Woof Pupsicle which takes him a full 30 minutes to get through.
Cortne Bonilla, Senior Shopping Writer
I’ve had multiple dogs at any given time my entire life, and a very, very clean mother. I’m obsessed with my apartment not smelling like I have two dogs—Basil, the yorkie, and Ghost, the poodle. Adore them, but pets tend to be a little stinky. Since they are an extension of me, I like them to look and feel good too. Little Beast sweaters and a chic carrier (that lasts a long time) go a long way in New York!
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Alexandra Michler Kopelman, Director of Fashion Initiatives
Something neither my enormous Bernese Mountain Dog, Archie, nor I could live without are these all natural, odor-free bully sticks. We distract Archie with one of these whenever we have company over in order to avoid him giving our guests a 150-pound welcome hug. These treats also work well if you want a peaceful dinner without having to fend off a drooling beast. Make sure to get the odor-free version, though... don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Virginia Smith, Director, Global Fashion Network
Our beloved Bernedoodle Spoon is quite adventurous and constantly on the hunt for trouble. I’ve reluctantly become an expert in baths and love the natural shampoo by Pride + Groom that’s specifically formulated for non-shedding coats. With ingredients like jojoba seed and calendula oils, it’s healing and smells great. The super absorbant Dirty Dog shammy works quickly for impatient dogs like mine who can t wait to get into the next mud puddle.
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Samantha Sussmann, Global Director, Social
I have so many dogs in my life that I love, and I love to get totes to carry them around in, a nice rope leash, and Greenie’s to brush their teeth.
Margaux Anbouba, Senior Beauty Wellness Editor
My fur man, Rosco, (feels weird to call him a baby when we weigh the same) lives in Austin—so I don’t get to see him all the time. That’s why I love this Staud bag—so I can carry him with me even when I’m in New York. Though all of his accessories make it obvious he has an owner who works in fashion, like this Celine waste bag carrier. It’s glamorous for the least glamorous part of having a dog.
Kiana Murden, Senior Beauty Writer
Sugar Plum (SP) loves her Wild One harness, and we love it because she does. It’s so easy to put on, is surprisingly soft, and features adjustable nylon straps to fit snug on her body (meaning no chafing). It makes going on a walk seamless, too, as there are three hooks to attach her leash. The vibrant colors are an added bonus! “The cream of the crop” as my mom puts it, the Furbo, takes the stress out of leaving SP at home for a few hours. We have the camera set up in her favorite spot (near the window, of course) so we can monitor when she barks, has gotten into something she shouldn’t, or talk to her throughout the day. And if she’s being an exceptionally good girl (always, duh), we can toss her a treat. We seriously don’t know what we’d do without it!
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Taylor Anderson, Associate Manager, Social Media
I may be biased, but I do not know a dog more sweeter than Gigi. She is a small, blue French bulldog that I’ve been lucky to have by my side for the past four years. French bulldogs, famous for their big ears and short snout, are also known to be a high-maintenance breed. Fortunately, she’s been very healthy, but is susceptible to having a dry nose and paws. To avoid this issue, we use Natural Dog Company’s Snout Soother weekly to moisturize her body. This, along with Stella Chewy’s freeze-dried chicken meal topper, are by far her favorite essentials to keep her healthy, clean, and smiling from ear to ear.
Alexandra Ditch, Associate Commerce Producer
When my mom decided to adopt a pup during the heat of the pandemic, I was a college student and had been reluctantly sent home from my semester in London. On the bright side, I was able to experience Rosie’s prime puppy days—which were both fun, and a lot of hard work! Rosie is a lab, and as other lab owners may know, the breed can be very food motivated, practically inhaling every meal! We purchased a slow feeder bowl, and it definitely does the trick to pace her eating. We also purchased the Mud Buster, which was highly recommended to us, for cleaning her paws after she plays outside on a rainy day.
