Checklist of Supplies for a Puppy

Feeding Supplies

• Your new puppy will need a food and water bowl appropriate for the amount of food it will be eating. Be sure to purchase a bag of the food which the puppy is currently eating, as well as a bag of the puppy food which you plan to feed yourself. Sudden changes to a puppy's diet can upset its stomach, so be sure to gradually transition the puppy to the new food, feeding it mostly the brand it is currently eating and slowly introducing the new food. A measuring cup will be handy to have to ensure that you are feeding the puppy properly sized portions of food.

Health Supplies

• A flea protection product approved for use on puppies will be important to have if you bring your puppy home during flea season. Heartworm preventative may also be necessary depending on the area in which you live. During the puppy's first visit to the veterinarian, your vet can advise you as to what is recommended as far as flea and heartworm protection in your area. Depending on the breed of dog your puppy is, a brush or two might be necessary to keep your puppy's fur from becoming matted. If you plan on trimming your dog's nails yourself, then purchase a pair of nail clippers so that you can introduce the idea of nail trimming early on to your puppy.

Training Supplies

• A crate can be a wonderful training tool. A crate should be large enough to enable a puppy to move around freely, but should not be so large that the puppy can roam around within it and does not feel secure. If you purchase a large crate which will fit the puppy once it is a full-grown dog, then block off a smaller portion to be used while the dog is still a puppy.

  In addition to the crate, a well-fitting collar and a 6-foot leash are necessities for training and basic security. Baby gates can also be useful in blocking off areas of the house which you do not wish the puppy to have access to. Treats can also provide incentive in training, but be sure to stay away from rawhide and chicken bones, as they can splinter and cause serious digestive issues.

Additional Supplies

• There are a number of additional supplies which may be useful for new puppy owners. The contact information for a local veterinarian is vital, as they can work with you to ensure that your puppy stays healthy. For safety, all dogs should always wear identification tags which attach to their collars, ideally with the owner's name and phone number. A method of clean-up for walks is also important to take into consideration. Some people prefer small poop shovels, while others prefer poop "pick-up" bags. And, of course, what list of puppy supplies would be complete without the mention of toys? Just make sure that your puppy does not manage to break pieces off of the toys. If they do, the toys should be removed immediately.