New Puppy Shopping List

Bringing home a puppy is about like bringing home a human baby. Puppies need a few items to keep them happy and healthy. It is much easier to get the items before you adopt your puppy, but last-minute scrambles happen on a daily basis. Few can resist an adorable face and that moment of connection.

  1. Food and Water

    • Your puppy will need food and water. There are many puppy formulas of commercial dog food available. You will also need a water bowl and a bowl for the food.

      Very young puppies may need a moist or canned food while an older puppy will do just fine on dry food. You can take dry food and moisten it with a bit of milk or water. Be sure clean both the water and food bowl daily as spoilage can occur, especially during hot weather.

      Always have fresh clean drinking water available for your puppy.

    A Place to Sleep

    • The puppy will need a place to sleep. Though many people opt to let the puppy sleep with them, the puppy should also have its own place for naps. This can be as simple as a towel placed in a warm corner, a special bed or a carrier.

      You can begin crate training your puppy right away. Place the puppy in the crate for a short time, increasing the time slowly, so that your puppy will learn that it is OK to be in the crate and away from you. Play with your puppy when you let him out of the crate. Both you and the puppy will enjoy these moments for as long as you are together.

    Playing and Growing

    • Teething puppies need to chew on something. Provide them with special dog chews so that they do not decide your shoes are an attractive chew toy. Rawhide, pigs' ears and toys are necessary to help growing puppies deal with teething problems. Like humans, puppies shed their baby teeth and chew toys assist in the process.

    Health and Safety

    • A collar with name tags is essential for all puppies. If you become separated from your pet, a collar will help people to get your puppy home. You may also want to consider having the puppy micro-chipped by your vet when you take him for his shots and checkups.

      When something eats or drinks, it will have to relieve itself. Make crucial decisions such as whether to paper train, take it for walks or give it access to your yard. You can do a combination of these practices, but deciding beforehand will help you to have any supplies you will need.

      Accidents will happen, so be sure to have plenty of clean-up supplies such as disposable gloves and paper towels ready.

      If you plan on taking your puppy for routine walks, get a collar, tags and a leash. Your puppy will quickly learn that when you pick up the leash, it is time to go outside to answer the call of nature.