what you need for a new puppy

Your big-day checklist for bringing a puppy home

Puppies definitely need some stuff to stay healthy and happy. You may already have a mental list with the basics, like food and a collar. But don’t forget to add other essentials, like vaccinations and parasite control, to help your puppyBFF stay healthy. And add in fun stuff like treats and toys, and even a DNA test to figure out their breed.

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Essential home equipment for puppies

Puppy food for their age, weight, and breed. It can be a challenge to navigate the pet food aisle, so we’ve got tips. See more about feeding puppies
Fresh water so they can lap up all they need with their cute little tongues.
A bed so your puppy has a safe, soft place to curl up when it’s naptime — which may be often, because puppies sleep a lot. If you don’t want to buy a bed, a soft towel or padded mat may work too.
A crate, which can be both a handy little den and a safe place to start crate training. Be sure to pick the right size! See our tips on picking and using crates
A collar and leash. Make sure the collar fits correctly — you should be able to slip a finger underneath it, but it shouldn’t be so loose it slips right off.
ID tags, even if your pup is microchipped. An ID tag on your pup’s collar with their name and your phone number can help you reunite with your furry little one if you ever get separated.
Pet-safe toys, because playing with a puppy is fun! Plus, toys can help to teach your puppy what they can chew on and what they can’t, and how to interact with their new family.
Treats for training (and because puppies are so cute!). Just remember to keep treats very small, and to only give a few a day. Pet obesity is a real problem, and it can really help to take it easy on the treats. See more about pet obesity
Tooth-cleaning supplies so you can get your puppy used to you helping them keep their teeth clean. Dental disease is truly not nice, so the sooner you teach a pup that this is part of the routine, the better. See how to clean dog teeth
Poop bags, for picking up puppy poo. Add a scooper for your yard for home poop patrol. (No matter how much you love your puppy, trust us — no one really likes stepping in poo.)

Useful supplies for specific puppy needs

Potty-training supplies, which if used correctly can help you and your pup through a few leaky (or poopy) moments as you housetrain.
A carrier to bring your little pup to the vet, which can be handy if your pup isn’t quite vaccinated or is a wild one on the leash.
Pet gates to help keep your puppy out of out-of-bounds areas. Many puppies are escape artists, so be prepared!
A DNA test that can help identify your pup’s genetic makeup. It can be fun and informative to find out just what kind of dog your puppy is, especially if they’re a marvelous mutt. See more about genetic testing
Dog food and water bowls, or a timed pet feeder. Some owners really like special weighted bowls which won’t flip, spill, or make noises when your puppy paws at them. Others like to feed on a schedule — which is fine so long as it’s timed to your growing puppy’s needs. See more about healthy pet weights
Pet-safe cleaning supplies. Some of these are even designed to remove odor, which may make that area less attractive the next time your pet needs to “go.”

Essential veterinary needs for puppies

smiling woman holds brown dog talks to smiling vet

How Banfield can help

If you ever have any questions or concerns about your puppy’s well-being, please reach out to your veterinary team. We’re here for love, health, and happiness, and that includes helpful advice or suggesting resources. Plus, may we recommend our Optimum Wellness Plans®? We have one specifically designed for your puppy’s health needs in their first year.

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