Everything You Need to Buy Before Your Puppy Arrives

Before your new puppy arrives at their forever home and becomes a part of your family, you’re going to need a few things. It's surprising how many items you should get when prepping for a puppy, so a checklist from the dog supply experts at Pickle & Polly can help.

New Puppy Checklist

Use this new puppy checklist to ensure you have everything ready by the time the puppy arrives.

Puppy Teepee

One of the first things you should purchase when prepping is a place for them to sleep that they can call their own. Make sure the pet teepee is large enough for them when they are fully grown. During the first few days, you can keep the teepee in your room, so the puppy doesn't get distressed about being left alone. Gradually move it further away so they acclimate to sleeping by themselves.

A Pet Towel

A thick, fluffy pet towel is a comfortable place for your puppy to lay that you can easily relocate when you move about the house.

Water and Food Bowls

Stainless steel food and water bowls are recommended because it's easy to clean and won't get deep scratches that can harbor germs. Try to get bowls that hold the perfect portion sizes for your breed of dog, as this will help you with calorie control.

Age-Appropriate Dog Food

Specially formulated puppy food will provide your puppy with all the nutrients they need to develop strong muscles and bones. Puppies will eat whatever you give them, so follow the recommended guidelines for the breed so you don't overfeed them.

Collar and ID Tag

Get your puppy used to a collar early on and have an ID tag ready. Most puppies are notoriously good escape artists, so you want to make it easy for anybody who finds a wayward pup to contact you.

Toothbrush and Dog Shampoo

Puppies should have their teeth cleaned regularly at least once a week. Getting them used to the sensations early on will make your life easier in the long run.

Cleaning Supplies

Young pups will generously provide you with lots of stinky presents. Be prepared with a good stockpile of dog poop bags. It might be possible to flush away their mess, but make sure your local treatment plant can handle animal waste. Another cleaning supply that will make your life easier is astain and odor remover formulated to handle dog related messes.

Puppy Toys

A mouth full of growing teeth can be painful, so keep a supply of puppy chew toys they can bite down on for relief. Don't forget to add a few toys that are just for fun for those times when your puppy is feeling playful, but you are busy.

Puppy Grooming Supplies

Puppies will need regular brushing to keep their coat nice and shiny and prevent matting. Get a good quality brush and grab some clippers for when you need to trim their nails.

Cold Wear

Even though your puppy has a full coat already, a little extra protection when it's freezing out will keep them more comfortable at this young stage.