One of the most exciting things about preparing for your new puppy’s arrival is going shopping! And in today’s world we aren’t limited to the pet stores in our area either!
You want to make sure you have everything you need to;
- keep your puppy safe
- help your puppy settle into their new home
- make your life as easy as it can be with a new puppy
You don’t want to be without your essentials once your puppy is home.
In this blog post we’ll share the best examples of 10 shopping list essentials for your new puppy and why they’re key to ensure you and your puppy start off on the right paw.
No overwhelm. No money wasted. No nasty gadgets!
Whether you choose to buy essentials for your new puppy online or in a store. There’s pros and cons to both.
And it all depends.
There‘s only 1 pet store in my area. They don’t stock most of the items I’ve put on this list or a suitable alternative. So shopping online is a sensible decision.
If you’re anything like me, you spend HOURS searching, scrolling and reading reviews. You place various items in your basket with the view of whittling it down to just the essentials.
But, it’s hard to make that final decision. The excitement begins to fade and shopping for your new puppy turns into a chore! So you give up completely ’til the next day when you give it another shot.
And when your package arrives it looks pretty poor compared to the images online. Well, all you can do is see how your puppy feels about it…
You already know the answer.
Maybe you have a variety of pet stores nearby or at least a decent one. So you pay them a visit and it’s like a treasure trove of pink and blue. There’s loads of cute puppy paraphernalia. Stuff you weren’t searching for or even knew existed!
You end up spending double your budget and place half the items in a cupboard that’ll never see the light of day.
As a puppy expert and trainer, I see time and time again common buying mistakes both online and instore;
- puppy harnesses too tricky to put on a wiggly puppy
- shop bought treats with little nutritional value
- items that promise to stop your puppy from X, Y and Z (there’s always a fallout from using these items by the way).
And don’t let anyone fool you into thinking you need to buy a food bowl and puppy pads.
The latest research from moneyexpert.com (2019) “revealed that British dog owners spend an average of over £236 each month on essentials for their pets, such as food, pet insurance, flea and worm treatments, and pet sitters. Add the £91.70 they spend on gifts and toys and it adds up to just under £3,000 a year”.
Wow, that’s a lot of money! Let’s make sure you spend it wisely 😉
Please note: There are affiliate links in this post. If you click a link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only give recommendations for items I feel will truly benefit my audience. Thanks for supporting our blog!
1. Puppy food
You need to ask your breeder which food they’re feeding your new puppy. Make sure you have a good amount of exactly the same food for the day you bring them home.
You don’t want to add further stress for your puppy and risk upsetting their tummy by giving them something different. All about dog food advise you to, “stick with it for at least the first 2 weeks before making any dietary changes”.
Find out when they’re fed and the amount.
Then, search on the all about dog food website to find the nutritional value of your puppy’s food. And if you wish to switch later down the line, follow their advice on transitioning smoothly.
2. Food bowl alternatives
You don’t need to buy a food bowl. Choose more beneficial options instead. Such as;
- snuffle mats. I recommend Tug and Snuffle. Click here for watch a video example
- slow feeders
- interactive and enrichment toys. I recommend the Zogoflex Toppl because it can be used for different types of food and in different ways. Add the larger size toppl for the full experience. This product is easy to clean and can be put in the freezer.
My favourite freebies are;
- sniffing for food in the grass.
- cardboard box enrichment. Find more advice on Beyond the Bowl – Canine Enrichment.
- using a portion of your puppy’s daily food allowance for training
Being creative with how you feed your puppy;
- enhances their problem – solving abilities
- engages their seeking system
- provides opportunities for sniffing, licking and chewing
- battles boredom
- prevents your puppy from inhaling their food (not literally!)
***Please always supervise your puppy with the items mentioned above and have their water bowl nearby.
3. Puppy treats
Again, do your own research using the all about dog food website and introduce new foods gradually.
JR Pet Products Pure Pate is my favourite product to make training treats. Puppies love it, it’s pure meat and they’re easy to store, chop and dice. Nothing is wasted.
Here’s how to make yours;
- slice the pate thinly then chop into small cubes
- divide into freezer bags
- pop one bag in the fridge (ok for 3 days) and the other bags in the freezer
- defrost in the fridge as and when needed
For an in-depth video tutorial click here.
You can even squish it inside a Puppy Kong or on top of a lickimat.
***Please always supervise your puppy with enrichment items, have their water bowl nearby and check the size is correct before buying.
4. Water bowls
Your puppy should have access to fresh water – day and night. According to the School of Canine Science, water is not only an essential nutrient, but dehydration effects an animal’s cognitive ability and mood!
I recommend having 2 or 3 drinking stations around the home; where your puppy sleeps, eats and plays. And a bowl to take with you when you’re out and about. This ensures water is always close by no matter what you’re doing.
I recommend the MOACC Crate Dog Bowl to attach to the side of a metal crate in your home or in your car. You can choose from 2 sizes – small or large. This is perfect to keep your pups bedding and crate floor free from spillages.
For general use, I recommend the Mason Cash Lettered Dog Bowl. This was the very first water bowl I bought 10 years ago and I’m still filling it up now.
The advantages are;
- made from ceramics so they’re difficult to tip over
- easy to clean
- keeps water cooler for longer
- they’re bite and chip resistant (according to Amazon description, my puppy never tried this so I can’t say from experience)
The ZUOFENG Collapsible Travel Silicone Bowl is perfect to take to a pub or café where you can fill it up once you arrive.
Although some puppies prefer water from their home. So the COTOP Portable Dog Water Bottle maybe more suitable and useful to take with you on hot days.
Check out my blog post –The ultimate guide to socialising your puppy to get started with outings for your pre-vaccinated puppy.
5. Dog beds
Your puppy needs to be cosy and warm in order for them to sleep well. And who doesn’t want that right?
But, is it sensible to invest in an expensive bed for a young puppy? I know it’s tempting! But,
- some puppies have accidents in their bed
- some puppies chew, bite and destroy their bed
- some beds aren’t suitable to go inside a crate.
So, my advice to you is to look for a bed that’s easy to clean and middle of the road price wise. I recommend this dog bed by Rosewood.
You can buy a posh bed later on.
And think about where you’ll want it to go.
I absolutely love vet bedding because it’s cosy and soft, easy to clean and flexible. If you want to layer it up you can. It’s easy to cut a large piece into 2 smaller pieces. It’s also handy to take with you on an outing or holiday.
This MerryMaple Veterinary Bedding has a variety of colours to choose from and is perfect for inside your puppy’s crate.
6. Cleaning supplies
Your usual household cleaner is not going to break down the scent of a toileting accident. This can be confusing for your puppy.
To set them up for success, clean up appropriately using an enzymatic cleaner. You can make your own using biological washing liquid mixed with 10 parts water in a spray bottle. Always patch test first!
Alternatively, I recommend purchasing a Simple Solution Odour Remover.
You’ll need poo bags handy too and make sure you pick up straight away. Buy poo bags with handles so they’re easy to tie up. These Bag Em Poo Bags are also scented and biodegradable.
Top tip – have a pack of baby wipes handy too, just in case your puppy steps in anything and you need to wipe their paws.
7. Puppy walking gear
Although your new puppy doesn’t NEED to wear a collar, harness or lead until they’ve completed their vaccinations. You NEED to start building a positive association with these items before your puppy is allowed out on walks.
When the big day arrives you’ll want your puppy to feel comfortable in their walking gear. By teaching your puppy that these weird and wonderful items aren’t scary and result in positive outcomes, you’ll both be ready to rock and roll!
Plus, a harness and lead is a great management tool for around the home.
Collars
You want to choose a collar that’s nice and soft, fixed once adjusted to the correct size and has a snap lock fastening. I recommend these collars by TuffStuff.
Carefully measure around your puppy’s neck before ordering. Larger sizes are available.
I’ve had these collars for my own dogs for years. I love that they’re embroidered and you don’t have to keep replacing the ID tag because it’s gone rusty. You can pop it in the washing machine too. Easy!
A nice alternative is the Ancol Small Bite Stars Collar that comes with a matching lead. However, you will need to buy an ID tag with this collar.
In the UK, all dogs in a public area must wear a collar and ID tag. Including the name and address (postcode) of the owner. Your telephone number is also recommended.
Harnesses
My favourite harnesses by far and the ones I recommend are by Perfect Fit. They’re the easiest harness to put on, they’re fleecy, 5 adjustment points, fixed and allow a full range of movement for your puppy.
However, they’re pricey and your puppy is going to grow quickly. So in a couple of months it’s unlikely to fit. You may want to consider an alternative until they’re a little older.
I recommend the TrueLove Dog Harness as an alternative.
Leads
My favourite leads are also made by TuffStuff and Perfect Fit. The TuffStuff lead isn’t as wide as the Perfect Fit. So, it’d depend on the size of your puppy which would suit them best.
They have clips at both ends of the lead and additional rings. This means they can be used in a variety of ways. Perfect for use around the home, taking your puppy on a sniffari and for teaching loose lead walking. They’re soft on your hands and easy to clean.
You may also want to consider buying a long line too. I recommend this Dog and Field Biothane Training Lead over a retractable lead for safety reasons. Long lines are great to use when teaching recall and giving your puppy more space to explore. They also clean easily.
8. Puppy crate and playpen
Crates and playpens are great management tools for puppies. When you can’t give your puppy your full attention, they’ll prevent your puppy from chewing, biting and toileting on things you don’t want them to.
Using a crate and / or play pen to prevent behaviour you know is going to happen saves you a lot of stress and gives you time to teach your puppy what you’d like them to do instead.
I recommend the MidWest Life Stages metal crate because it comes with a divider. A variety of sizes are available.
I love that this fabric crate from Petsfit has a window at the top. Great for next to your bed during those first few nights. Your puppy can look up to see you and you can pop your hand inside to help settle them.
This plastic crate from Amazon Basics also has an opening top section.
And if you have room, a puppy play pen like this from Ellie-Bo, is a fantastic addition to your puppy’s safe space.
You can watch a FREE crate training tutorial inside our Puppy Start Right Workshop. Enter your details below and start teaching your pup to LOVE their safe space today!
9. Puppy toys
These days puppy toys are so diverse. They can be divided into a few categories.
Interactive toys
Build the bond between you and your dog and include items used to play fetch, and tug. Don’t be afraid to get down your puppy’s level, and really get into the game.
I recommend all toys by Tug and Snuffle. They’re perfectly handmade, long (to keep hands away from puppy teeth) and can be well animated for the best human and puppy play.
Self amusement toys
Are usually stronger, and more durable for dogs to play with when home alone. I recommend the KONG puppy toy.
Comfort toys
Which are typically soft toys, but can be any item with which the dog bonds and often sleeps with. I recommend this toy from Petface and if you want a removable squeeker check out this toy by Kong.
Treat dispenser enrichment toys
Explained in ‘food bowl alternatives’.
A good toy box can help keep your house organised and your puppy’s favourite toy ready to go.
***Before leaving your puppy with any toy, make sure you have observed them with the item and that they have no tendency toward heavy chewing. You don’t want them to eat their toys for safety reasons.
10. Grooming supplies
As puppy guardians, we often expect our puppies to be comfortable with grooming and the various items. But your puppy doesn’t know what they are and what they’re for. This can be scary for them.
It’s really important to introduce your puppy early, slowly and positively to grooming supplies.
What you’ll need will be dependent on your puppy’s breed.
Breeds with curly coats will need brushing daily to untangle any matting. I recommend the Pet Teezer detangling bush.
And those with a double-coat will need de-shedding. I recommend the Pet Teezer de-shedding brush.
This dog grooming kit by tonyg-p includes 3 brushing options, a comb, a nail file and clippers. All you’d need to add is a pair of scissors.
All puppies should have so much fun they end up looking like a mud monster!
I don’t put my dogs in the bath when they’re mucky because I don’t want pawprints up the stairs, dog hair in my bath or a blocked plug hole. Instead I use a Mud Daddy.
This product is fantastic and perfect for a quick wash before coming back indoors. Here’s a video of my dog Ozzy getting a wash down after a trip to the beach.
For flea and worm treatments I recommend seeking advice from your vet.
I hope this blog post has helped you to buy essentials for your new puppy without stress and wasting your hard earned cash. Maybe I’ve suggested an item you didn’t even think about buying.
I’d love to know what you’ve purchased from this list. Please let me know in the comments section below.
If you’d like to learn how to introduce your puppy positively to their collar, harness and lead. And would LOVE to groom your puppy without stress.
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Happy shopping!
Lindsay xx
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