What to buy before bringing a puppy home is one of the first questions every new puppy owner asks. Being prepared before your puppy arrives will help make the transition easier and less stressful.
What to Buy Before Bringing a Puppy Home: Essential Checklist
- Food and water bowls
- High-quality puppy food
- Comfortable puppy bed
- Crate or playpen
- Collar and ID tag
- Lead (leash)
- Puppy toys
- Puppy treats
- Grooming brush
- Puppy shampoo
- Poop bags
- Enzyme cleaner for accidents
This guide on what to buy before bringing a puppy home will help you prepare your home and give your new puppy the best possible start.
Food and Water Bowls
Your puppy needs to have food and water daily. When choosing the bowls ensure it is the right size, it is easy to clean after each feed. Stainless steel bowls are mostly preferred as they are easier to clean and does not keep many bacteria as compared to plastic bowls.
A Comfortable Bed
When bringing a puppy home, the puppy needs a comfortable place to sleep, therefore, it is vital to have comfortable beds and puppy blankets ready for when the puppy comes home.
A Crate or Playpen
Crate and Playpen gives your puppy the chance to play indoors without creating chaos and it also gives you the chance to complete some tasks while you puppy plays. When choosing a play pen, choose one that accommodates your puppy heights, sufficient rooms for movement e.g. turning, standing or lying down for a rest.
Collar, Harness and Lead
Buy an adjustable collar or harness that fits your puppy properly, along with a lightweight lead. Moreover, add your contact details as well as puppy name in case someone need to contact you for the puppy.
High-Quality Puppy Food
Feed a complete puppy food designed for your puppy’s breed size and age. If possible, continue feeding the same food your puppy was eating before coming home, then change foods gradually if needed.
Puppy Toys
Puppies need varieties of toys for play and chewing. There are countless choices of toys, always choose toys that are chewable as puppy learn about the world through play and chewing. Having chewable toys might help prevent puppy chewing on shoes or other types of chewing around the house.
Grooming Suppliers
even short-haired puppies need regular grooming. A soft brush, puppy shampoo, nail clippers, and a toothbrush designed for dogs will help keep your puppy clean and healthy from an early age.
Cleaning Supplies
Even puppy who are toilet trained do have accidents. So, it is normal for your puppy to have accidents while your puppy is learning where to toilet. Keep enzyme cleaner, paper towels, and poop bags ready. Enzyme cleaners remove odors that ordinary household cleaners often leave behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a crate before bringing my puppy home?
A crate is highly recommended because it provides a safe place for your puppy to rest and can make toilet training easier.
How many toys should I buy?
It is good to have choices of toys before bringing the puppy home. At least 3 -4 toys with different attributes would be good. Gradually add more time once you know which toys your puppy prefers.
Should I buy adult dog food?
The answer is no. Puppies do have their own food. The puppy should be feed while following the feeding guidelines or advice from the veterinarian.
What You Don’t Need to Buy Right Away
Most new puppy owners go overboard with everything they need to purchase. It is good to remember that the puppy only needs the essentials before bringing your puppy home. Expensive accessories, fancy clothing, and large collections of toys can wait until you learn what your puppy enjoys and needs.
How Much Should You Budget?
The cost of preparing for a new puppy depends on the breed and the products you choose. Buying quality essentials things such as a comfortable bed, crate, food bowls, collar, and puppy food is usually a better as those are what needed to have a puppy. It is unnecessary to buy lots of unnecessary accessories. Planning your budget before your puppy arrives can help give a clear indication of what to buy and how to mange unexpected challenges.
Shopping Tips for First-Time Puppy Owners
- Buy quality instead of quantity.
- Choose products made for your puppy’s size.
- Read reviews before buying.
- Avoid toys that are too small to prevent choking.
- Ask your breeder or rescue what food your puppy is already eating.
Key Things to Remember
- Buy the essentials before your puppy comes home.
- Prepare a safe space for your puppy.
- Choose high-quality puppy food.
- Keep cleaning supplies ready for accidents.
- Focus on safety and comfort rather than buying everything at once.