Cane Corso are big dogs with big hearts. They can be a ton of fun to spend time with, but it’s important to be fully prepared before bringing a Cane Corso home. If you’re unprepared, you may find it difficult to care for your new dog properly.
Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Lorna Whittemore
Veterinarian, MRCVS
Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Lorna Whittemore
Veterinarian, MRCVS
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
If you’re a first-time dog owner or haven’t had a dog in a while, it might be overwhelming to remember all the things you need to get started. Here’s a list of some of the most important supplies you’ll need.
The 18 Essential Cane Corso Supplies to Get You Started
While many people feel uncomfortable putting a muzzle on their dog, many people are becoming more aware of the importance of muzzle training. At some point in your dog’s life, they may need to wear a muzzle due to injury and other abnormal circumstances. If your dog is muzzle trained, they will be less likely to be overly stressed by having a muzzle placed on them when it’s necessary. Muzzle training can be done by making a game out of it and offering lots of positive reinforcement of the behavior. If you’re unsure of how to select an appropriate muzzle for your dog, your vet can help you. Make sure you are well versed in muzzle use and training before you attempt to start muzzle training your dog to avoid causing stress and injury.
1. High-Quality Dog Food
While high-quality dog food is an essential item for any dog, it’s especially important when you’re talking about large and giant dog breeds, like the Cane Corso. These dogs can grow quickly and are prone to developing musculoskeletal problems, so large breed dog food is necessary to support proper growth, development, and aging. Selecting high-quality food that also matches your dog’s activity level will help prevent obesity and other weight-related problems that may arise.
Type of item: Food
Importance: 5/5
Check Price on Chewy
2. Food and Water Bowls
Obviously, food and water bowls are important for any dog, but selecting the right bowls for your Cane Corso can help keep them healthy. While many people believe that raised bowls help to reduce the risk of bloat in large and giant breed dogs, some studies have indicated that raised bowls might increase the risk of bloat. Bloat is a medical emergency that can be deadly for your dog if not treated quickly. Selecting bowls that encourage slow, healthy eating is a good way to reduce the risk of bloat in your Cane Corso.
Type of item: Food and water bowls
Importance: 4.5/5
- See Also: Best Dog Foods for Cane Corso Puppies
3. Large Kennel
Kennel training is an effective way to keep your dog safe when you aren’t home, as well as providing them with a place of their own to spend time when they need a quiet moment. It can be a challenge to choose the right kennel for a large breed dog, though. They need enough space to move around, but not too much space. A kennel designed for a large dog can not only provide an appropriate amount of space, but it should also be able to stand up to the abuse that a large puppy may put on it.
Type of item: Kennel
Importance: 4.5/5
4. Potty Pads
Housetraining can be a real challenge with any dog, but bigger dogs create more waste. This can make it difficult to keep things hygienic when housetraining your Cane Corso. Selecting the right potty pads will not only ensure they can stand up to the amount of waste your dog might produce but also keep your home cleaner. Reusable potty pads are ideal since they are the more environmentally friendly option, but single-use potty pads are extremely convenient for many people.
Type of item: Housetraining supplies
Importance: 4/5
5. Cleaning Supplies
- Our Choice: Hepper Bioenzymatic Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator
Keeping things clean and hygienic will not only help keep you healthy but also your dog. The Hepper Bioenzymatic Stain Eliminator can be used to clean your dog’s toys and kennel, as well as cleaning up house training mishaps. It’s important to make sure you’re choosing safe products for use around pets, though. Some cleaning supplies can be extremely irritating to the respiratory tract, eyes, and skin of animals. There are lots of great products on the market for a variety of uses, which gives you the freedom to select products that offer scents that you prefer.
Type of item: Cleaning supplies, housetraining supplies
Importance: 4/5
Check Price on Hepper
6. Sturdy Leash
Cane Corsi are big, strong dogs that can be a handful on a leash, especially while they’re still young and excitable. It’s necessary to select a leash that will stand up to any tugging your dog may put on the leash, as well as standing up to the paces of training exercises. A leash will keep your dog safe, and a leash with a traffic handle is advisable because it allows you to quickly get your dog closer to you, allowing you to keep them under better control and keep them safe from vehicles, people, and other animals.
Type of item: Collars and leashes
Importance: 4.5/5
7. Strong Collar
A collar is important because it allows your dog to be identified and quickly returned home to you if they escape. However, collars also allow you to keep your dog securely with you on walks. For a Cane Corso, the collar you choose should be able to withstand the strength of your dog. A properly fitted collar won’t allow your dog to back out of it if they become scared or overstimulated on a walk.
8. Chew Toys
Chew toys can be a great addition to the toy box of any dog, especially teething puppies. Chew toys allow your dog to get out excess energy and soothe their teeth. Oftentimes, chew toys support better dental health as well. Strong dogs like Cane Corsi can be difficult to find chew toys for, though, since they have the capacity to destroy weak toys. Strong chew toys are a great way to provide your dog chewing fun, although you should always keep an eye on your dog while they’re chewing on a toy since chew toys can pose a choking risk when used without supervision.
Type of item: Toys
Importance: 3.5/5
9. Playtime Toys
Spending time one-on-one with your dog can be a great way to build the trust and happiness between the two of you. Sometimes, it’s a good idea to have toys that are only played with during playtime with a person. This keeps the toy feeling interesting and special, and it encourages your dog to participate in playtime with you. Choose toys that you can play with while interacting with your dog, like tug toys and fetch toys.
10. Puzzle Toys
Puzzle toys are a fantastic way to entertain your dog when the weather or time doesn’t allow for outdoor exercise. Puzzles teach your dog to problem solve and provide them with an automatic reward as they solve the puzzle. Puzzle toys don’t replace spending time with you or in the outdoors, but they are a good option when alternatives aren’t available. They also help to increase your dog’s confidence and intelligence over time. Make sure to help your dog learn how to use puzzle toys to avoid frustration.
11. Nail Clippers
Trimming your dog’s nails will help prevent painful injuries from broken nails. Long nails can also lead to pain and injuries in the feet and legs, so keeping toenails trimmed is a necessary part of keeping your dog healthy. If your dog is active and spends a lot of time on a variety of textures, like asphalt and concrete, they may not need regular nail trims. However, it’s a good idea to train your dog to tolerate nail trims no matter what. At some point, it may be necessary for your dog to get their nails trimmed, so practicing this skill at home can be essential.
Type of item: Grooming
Importance: 3/5
12. Shampoo and Conditioner
Some people prefer to take their dog to a groomer for cleaning and coat maintenance, but it’s a good idea to keep some shampoo and conditioner on hand at home no matter what. You never know when your dog might roll in some mud (or worse) and need a bath at 10 pm. Dish soap and human shampoo and conditioner products can be irritating to your dog’s skin, so it’s best to stick to products formulated for dogs. Some dogs have sensitive skin, and they may need soothing products.
13. Brush
Even if a groomer is handling your dog’s baths and nail trims for you, you should be brushing them at home. Even short-haired dogs need routine brushing. Brushing helps maintain skin and coat health by removing loose, dead hair and skin, as well as distributing natural oils from your dog’s skin across their coat. The right brush is important for this job, though. Bristle brushes and slicker brushes are often a good option for short-haired dogs.
Type of item: Grooming
Importance: 3.5/5
14. Training Treats
For many dogs, training treats are an absolute necessity. It can be difficult to convince a stubborn dog, like many Cane Corsi, to train and play appropriately. Training treats are a great motivator for many dogs, no matter how stubborn. Select training treats that are high in value to your dog to encourage the most obedience and interaction. This will vary between dogs. It’s a good idea to use training treats or small pieces of other types of treats to keep your dog from getting too many calories from treats.
Type of item: Treats
Importance: 4.5/5
15. Home Dental Products
Dental disease is a serious problem for many dogs that can lead to organ failure, infection, and even death in severe cases. Home dental care doesn’t replace the need for veterinary dental care throughout your dog’s life, but it can help reduce the need for how often your dog needs vet visits for dental care. It’s a good idea to introduce your dog to having their teeth brushed at a young age to help them be more comfortable with this procedure and reduce the risk of fear or biting later in life if you decide to start.
Type of item: Dental care
Importance: 4.5/5
16. Poop Bags
Picking up behind your dog may not be the most pleasant task, but it is a necessary one. Leaving dog waste in your yard or on walks leaves behind unpleasant smells and increases the potential for spreading infections and parasites. Dog waste can also be damaging to the natural ecosystem and may impact wildlife negatively. Poop bags are a convenient item that will help you keep things picked up behind your dog. When possible, aim for compostable waste bags since these are a more eco-friendly option than their plastic counterparts.
Type of item: Housetraining
Importance: 4.5/5
17. Dog Bed
Your dog needs a cozy, comfortable place to spend time. Even if your dog is allowed in your bed or on furniture, it’s a good idea to provide them with plenty of places throughout the home to lounge. Providing a bed specifically for your dog will help them feel safe and comfortable by providing them with a place of their own. Some dogs may just need a bed in their kennel, while others may want one in every room of the house.
Type of item: Bedding
Importance: 4.5/5
18. Muzzle
- Our Choice: Coastal Pet Products Best Fit Adjustable Mesh Muzzle
Type of item: Muzzles
Importance: 4/5
Conclusion
While you may come across more items you’d like to get for your dog, these are some of the most basic essentials. Your dog’s specific needs may vary slightly, so make sure to take that into account. Dogs are just as unique as humans are, so what works for one dog may not work for another. This list will help you be prepared when you bring your new Cane Corso dog home, whether it’s a puppy or an adult dog.
Featured Image Credit: Sbolotova, Shutterstock
