Puppy Starter Kit: Here’s What Your Need Before Getting a New Pup
Bringing home a new puppy is so exciting! But before you bring them home, you’ll want to make sure you have all the essentials for a healthy and happy start. That’s why it’s important to arm yourself with the knowledge of what your new pup will need.
In this post, we’ll give you a comprehensive puppy starter kit so you’ll have everything you need from day one. From food and toys to bedding and treats, we’ll cover it all. Plus, we’ll offer advice on the best places to buy these items and share some tips to help you make the right decisions.
Health Supplies
When you first bring your pup home, it’s important to make sure they are up-to-date on their vet visits and vaccinations. You’ll need to make sure that you have an appointment scheduled with your vet and supplies on hand for the visit. This includes things like:
- A leash and collar
- Identification tag with your contact information
- Records of prior vet visits
- Pet health insurance documents (if applicable)
- A carrier for transport to and from the vet (if needed)
- Hardcopy or digital copies of any special instructions from the vet about food, medications, etc.
Food and Water
Obviously, one of the most important aspects of taking care of your pup is making sure that they are well-fed and hydrated. While there are countless types of food available, it’s best to discuss nutrition with your vet before committing to one type of food. Along with food and water bowls, you should also think about purchasing a food storage container to store extra food in bulk.
Supplies for Socialization and Training
Proper socialization and training are key to having a happy, well-behaved pup. Make sure that you have supplies on hand that can help facilitate socialization and training. This includes items such as:
- Toys (for playing fetch, tugging, puzzle solving, etc.)
- Treats (for rewards and incentivizing good behavior)
- Training aids (e.g., clickers for clicker training)
- Books about puppy socialization/training methods
- Puppy classes or private training sessions (if desired)
- Dog crates and gates (for indoor potty training)
Supplies for Grooming
Part of taking care of your pup is making sure that they are clean, groomed regularly and free from parasites and skin infections. To maintain healthier fur and skin on your pup, you’ll need additional supplies such as:
- Brushes (for daily brushing to remove knots)
- Combs (for deep conditioning treatments)
- Clippers (for trimming fur if needed)
- Shampoo & conditioner suited for your pup’s fur type
- Nail clippers/files (for keeping nails trimmed)
- Parasite preventatives/treatments
- Toothbrush and toothpaste (for brushing a few times a week)
Bedding, Furniture and Accessories
Besides the basics covered above, there are also some other items that can help make life more comfortable in your home when it comes to caring for your pup. These include:
- Raised dog bed or blanket suitable for snuggling up in
- Toys and chews (to keep them busy during alone time)
- Dog first aid kit
- Dog gates/crates/pens (for keeping pets contained safely when needed)
- Doggy doors (so they can come in & out as desired)
- Poop bags
- Pee pads (accidents happen!)
Conclusion
Bringing home a new puppy is a wonderful experience, and part of making sure that it goes smoothly is making sure that you have all the necessary supplies and equipment for their care. The puppy starter kit checklist above can help make sure that you’re ready for everything that your pup may need. From food and water to vet visits and grooming supplies, this list has it all. Now all that’s left to do is find the perfect pup to join your family! With all the items on the checklist taken care of, you can have confidence knowing that you have everything you need to make sure your new pup has a happy and healthy life.