- March 15, 2024
New Puppy Checklist: 16 Vet-Verified Supplies You’ll Need
The anticipation around bringing home a new puppy is filled with trips to the pet store and online shopping lists. As exciting as it is to adopt a new friend, puppies certainly come with a long list of essential supplies—most of which you’ll need before they step paw through your door. We know you can’t wait to bring them home, so here’s a quick list of what you’ll need to make the process faster and easier for you.
The 16 New Puppy Supplies
Food and Feeding Supplies
1. Puppy Food
Minimally processed meals are always best for dogs, but you still want the meals to be high quality and nutritionally balanced. But with a new puppy, you’re probably lucky if you have enough time to cook for you, much less make nutritionally sufficient meals for your pup from scratch.
The Farmer’s Dog essentially does this process for you. When you visit their website, you’ll fill out a brief questionnaire that will match you with the perfect recipe for your puppy’s size, age, and taste preferences. Then, the recipe is made from scratch and shipped frozen to your door. One of the best things about The Farmer’s Dog is that their recipes are formulated for all life stages, so you won’t have to transition them to an adult food later.
2. Food and Water Bowls
Hungry puppies frequently do a nose dive into their food and spill and splash their water all over the floor. It’s a good idea to pick food and water bowls that can help them get a grip and won’t slide all over the floor while they’re trying to eat.
This non-skid stainless steel dog & cat bowl by Loving Pets Bella does the trick. The rubberized base adds a pop of color while holding your dog’s meal in place. When they’re finished, you can slide the rubber bottom off in order to wash the bowl in the dishwasher or wash it all by hand. The multiple color and size options make it easy to find the perfect bowl to match your space, and fit your puppy’s portions as they grow.
Treats and Toy Supplies
3. Training Treats
Most dogs are very food motivated and learn best when there is food involved. Reward your puppy when they go potty where they’re supposed to or they master a command with little training treats that are perfectly sized for your puppy.
The Honest Kitchen uses human-grade chicken and salmon as a hearty source of protein that gives your pup a little boost. Salmon is also a natural source of DHA, an essential omega 3 fatty acid that aids in brain development in puppies. With no artificial ingredients or preservatives, there’s nothing not to love about The Honest Kitchen Chicken & Salmon Meaty Littles.
4. Chew Toys
It’s no secret that puppies like to chew on sneakers—and pretty much everything else they can wrap their jaws around—so it’s important to give them something safe to play with, especially while they’re teething.
The Benebone Bacon Wishbone comes in several sizes, so you can choose the one that’s most suitable to your pup’s size and chewing style. Benebone boasts that their bacon-flavored nylon bones taste better than shoes. One word of caution is that this is still a toy, not a chew. You should monitor your puppy while they’re playing with this toy, and not allow them to ingest any pieces.
Grooming Essentials
5. Shampoo
Dogs need baths just like people do, and puppies may need even more baths since they tend to get into mischief more. Dogs require special shampoo, since they can’t use human shampoos due to all the chemicals. But here’s a dirty little secret: many dog shampoos also contain sulfates and other drying ingredients that can strip the beneficial oils off your pup’s skin, leaving them with a greasy and lifeless coat.
As an all-natural formula, Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Shampoo doesn’t use any of these sulfates, parabens, dyes, phthalates, or harsh soaps. Instead, this oatmeal shampoo cleans and soothes your pup’s skin while the gentle cucumber and aloe scent gives them a squeaky clean smell. This formula is safe for puppies, and is even cat-friendly, which is good to know in case your pup shares the house with any whiskered friends.
At Pet Keen, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
6. Paw Wipes
Even though puppies can get dirty easily, overbathing isn’t good for their skin. But there’s always that one dog at the dog park that knows exactly where to find a patch of mud—even during a drought. If that sounds like your new addition, we’ve got you covered.
Hepper Wash Wipes allows you to clean away the debris from the day’s adventures without running water for a bath. These wipes are perfect for a quick touch-up, or as a way to stretch out the time between spa sessions. This natural, hypoallergenic formula has a soft cucumber and aloe scent that compliments the colloidal oatmeal shampoo. Plus, it’s safe for dogs of all ages, as well as cats.
At Pet Keen, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
7. Brush
Every puppy, short-haired or long, is going to need regular brushing to keep their hair coat and skin in good condition. So, a good brush is key. Depending on your pup’s hair length, you may need to invest in additional grooming tools, however a good combination brush, like the Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Dog Brush, will cover any puppy’s basic grooming needs.
Cleaning Supplies
8. Stain Odor Eliminator Spray
Potty training doesn’t happen overnight, even with the most obedient dogs. Puppies will make messes, peeing and pooping on things inside the house that they shouldn’t. Even as they grow into adults, dogs can still drool and vomit on things as well, making a good cleaner an essential.
The Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray gives your couch some grace while your dog is still figuring things out. This formula binds, lifts, and permanently removes stains and smells from virtually any surface. The best part is that it has a neutral scent, which means there’s no funky bitter apple or other scents mingling with urine and possibly making the situation even stinkier.
At Pet Keen, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
Bedding & Blankets
9. Bed
Puppies love to snuggle, and they will want and need a place to rest that feels comfy and cozy to curl up in.
This calming shag fur donut cuddler by Best Friends by Sheri will help soothe your dog into a relaxing nap. The variety of sizes and color options lets you adapt with your space and your dog’s size as they grow. Made from hypoallergenic fiberfill, this donut cuddler gives your pup a cushy place to rest. The entire bed is machine washable on the gentle cycle, which makes cleaning up accidents a little easier. When it’s finished with the wash cycle, run the bed through the dryer on low or no heat.
10. Blanket
Every dog needs their own blanket, even if they already steal your spot on the sofa. Blankets give them something they can claim as their own, and many puppies and dogs like to make nests or burrow into their blankets.
This shag throw by Best Friends by Sheri compliments the donut bed. Shag fur mimics a mother dog’s fur, and can help your pup feel at home in their new environment. This blanket is available in standard and jumbo sizes, and comes in several color options. Once it starts to smell a little stinky, simply toss it in the washer and run it on the gentle cycle. Follow up by drying it on low and let your dog settle down into the warm fur for a nap once it’s finished.
Leashes & Harnesses
11. Collar
Whether you choose to use a harness for leash walking or not, a puppy needs a properly fitted, comfortable collar to hold their identification tags. Chai’s Choice Comfort Cushion Collar is a great option to do just that. It comes in a variety of sizes to ensure a proper fit even as your puppy grows, it has a reflective stripe to help your puppy be seen at night, and comes in colors that match the recommended leash and harness set up.
12. Leash
Puppies need daily exercise, and one of the best ways to provide exercise is through walks. A good leash is important because they help keep puppies, people and other dogs safe. Leashes are also required in many dog-friendly spaces. If the only time that you can walk your dogs is at night, you need something that can provide visibility as well.
This premium polyester leash by Chai’s Choice is woven with reflective fibers so that your dog stays visible even after dark. The padded leash strap gives your hand a break by preventing your puppy’s persistent tugging from chaffing your skin. The lightweight leash attachment is made from zinc alloy, which is a durable material that will securely hold your dog’s collar or harness. This 6.5 foot leash comes in nine colors so you can easily match it with your dog’s collar and other accessories.
13. Harness
When taking puppies and adult dogs for walks, harnesses may be preferable to collars because harnesses reduce the strain on your puppy’s neck. But you want to make sure that the harness fits securely. This polyester harness comes in the same nine colors as the Chai’s Choice leash to make a perfect matching set. The five sizes to choose from ensure your puppy will always have an appropriate fit.
The reflective 3M fibers add visibility for nighttime walks. The small handle on the back lets you keep your dog close in tense situations, and it is big enough to slip a seatbelt through for car rides. The front clip allows for easy access when it’s time to buckle up and go on an adventure. This harness slips over your dog’s head and buckles on the sides, holding your dog securely as they walk.
Crate & Housebreaking Essentials
14. Crate
Crates can be a helpful training tool to help with housebreaking your puppy. They can also be a safe and secure place for puppies to go when you’re away so that they don’t get into trouble.
The Frisco Fold & Carry Double Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate comes together with quick assembly, no tools needed. This collapsible wire crate comes in five sizes. When choosing the correct size, you’ll want to consider how fast your pup will grow and how big you expect them to get.
We like how this crate comes with a removable divider panel. You can partition off part of the space for a small puppy so that they can have room to stand and move around without enough space to relieve themselves. Once your dog outgrows the space, you can remove the divider panel to give them more room.
The two doors—one on the back and another on the side—gives you easy access to wipe down the crate without having to take it apart. As a bonus, the removable plastic tray on the bottom can be washed with soap and water for tougher messes.
15. Potty Pads
When housetraining a puppy, they’re bound to have accidents in the house. Potty pads can help train your dog where to go when they are indoors. You’ll need some premium potty pads that can absorb a lot of urine.
The Frisco Premium Dog Training & Potty Pads do the trick nicely. These five-layer pads soak up urine and feature built-in attractants to encourage your dog to go in the right places. They’re available in several sizes so you can find the right fit for your crate tray, and there are also scented or unscented options. You can buy as few as 20 or as many as 300, which can be a good thing if you haven’t decided what potty training method works for your pup.
16. Pad Tray
Potty pad holders are beneficial because they keep the potty pad from sliding all over the floor. Having a pad holder also prevents urine leakage after a huge relief, which can save your floors. Plus, they are usually made out of plastic material that wipes clean after use.
The Frisco Training Pad Holder secures your dog’s pee pad in place while they sniff and decide where to go. The only downside is that this holder is only available in 24” x 24” so it won’t be a good fit for all potty pads.
What You Need to Know Before Bringing Your Puppy Home
Completing your shopping list is only the first step of preparing for your puppy. The first few months of puppy ownership are exciting and can also be a bit of a challenge, especially if you’re not accustomed to having animals around. Even before you bring them home, you’ll want to puppy-proof your space so that there aren’t any dangling cords, enticing human foods, or toxic substances within your pet’s reach.
You’ll also need to schedule your puppy’s first vet appointment so they can receive their core vaccines and a general wellness checkup. Unfortunately, it’s easy for dogs to get lost, so you’ll also want to either have them microchipped at the vet’s office, or buy them an ID tag to always wear on their collar. While you’re at the vet, you can also discuss parasite prevention options and when is the best time to spay or neuter your pet.
Conclusion
The list of what to buy and what to do in the weeks leading up to adopting a puppy can seem pretty daunting. However, it will all be worth it when you welcome your puppy home. Imagine seeing them playing with a Benebone, lounging on a donut bed, and happily chowing down on a fresh meal from The Farmer’s Dog. Adorable, right? That sounds like the beginning of your dog’s happily ever after.
Featured Image Credit: Olena Rudo, Shutterstock
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