What an exciting time! You’ve got a new puppy and you’re almost ready to bring your new best friend home. Before you officially welcome them into the family, you’ll need to buy a few essential puppy supplies. Here’s a handy puppy checklist of everything you need to get from Petbarn to care for your new puppy from the day they arrive.
Want to tick off items as you shop? There’s a checklist on page 6 of the Petbarn Puppy Care Guide along with some vouchers to help you save on the essentials (see pages 77-80).
Puppy advice essentials
Join the Petbarn Puppy and Kitten Club
Puppy and Kitten Club members unlock tailored advice, exclusive discount vouchers, and a free welcome bag! Plus all the other perks that come with being a Friends for Life member.
Joining is simple:
- Sign up to our Friends for Life loyalty program (if you haven’t already)
- Complete a Pet Profile for your new puppy
- Enjoy the perks
Download the Petbarn app
The Petbarn app is designed to help you be the best pet parent you can be. Through the app, you can
- Book vet appointments with Greencross Vets
- Shop pet supplies for delivery or click and collect
- Get fast answers to your burning pet questions with PetAI
- Easily access your membership rewards
- Set reminders for when your pet is due for parasite prevention
- And more!
Puppy travel essentials
A car harness or pet carrier
This is the first thing you’ll need to consider when you’re ready to bring your new puppy is keeping them safe in the car. There are a few different options to safely restrain your new puppy in the car:
- A seatbelt attachment which clips onto a harness
- A car harness that attaches to the seatbelt
- A pet carrier
Puppy safe space essentials
A bed
As part of their growth process, your puppy will be sleeping a lot so make sure you find a comfortable bed for their size, preferences and more. Read our article on how to find the right dog bed or visit your local Petbarn store and speak with a team member to get the best advice on dog beds.
Kennel and/or crate and cover
Depending on where your puppy will be sleeping, you should provide them with a good quality kennel or crate.
Kennels provide a safe space for your puppy to sleep outside, protected from the elements.
Crates are an ideal indoor ‘den’ for your puppy. They’re a space where your puppy can feel safe and make toilet training and sleeping through the night a lot easier. Check out our advice on how to find the right size crate and crate training as the earlier you start, the better.
Make your puppy’s crate a cosy place for them to retreat and relax by placing a soft bed inside. Consider covering the crate with a crate cover to help their den feel extra cosy. A cuddly toy is a great way to entice your puppy into their crate and help them feel at ease when you’re first beginning your crate training.
Comfort toys
Moving to a new home can be overwhelming for a puppy so make sure that they feel safe and secure by providing them with their new favourite plush toy.
Lots of cuddles
Give your puppy lots of cuddles and show them love every time you play together so that you can strengthen your bond and become best friends for life!
Puppy feeding essentials
Two bowls (or more)
Your puppy needs plenty of fresh water at all times, even when they’re in their crate, as well as a bowl for their meals. Choose at least two dog bowls that will suit their size for at least the first year of their life.
Super premium puppy food
Greencross Vets highly recommend that you feed your puppy quality food that is scientifically formulated to provide them with all the vitamins and minerals they need for strong healthy development. If your puppy isn’t already on super premium food, be sure to introduce it to them slowly. Changing foods too quickly can result in a stomach upset.
Use our Food Finder tool to discover the best diet that you should be feeding your puppy based on their age, breed, lifestyle and more.
Puppy health essentials
Book a check up with Greencross Vets
It’s a good idea to take your puppy to your vet for a health check soon after you get them home. Your vet will provide advice on caring for your puppy, vaccination schedules and parasite prevention, nutrition, and can address any other questions you might have.
Flea, tick and worming treatment
Parasites like fleas, ticks and worms are more prevalent than you might realise. Make sure you know when their previous owner last gave them flea, tick, and/or worming treatment; what product(s) they used; and when your puppy is due for their next dose.
Check the parasite threat in your local area with PetWatch. To get recommendations for what parasite preventives are suitable for your unique puppy’s age, breed and lifestyle, use our Flea, Tick and Worm Treatment Finder or ask the friendly team members at your local Petbarn Store or Greencross Vets for advice.
A toothbrush and toothpaste
Your puppy’s dental health has serious implications for their overall health. Brushing your puppy’s teeth is the best way to look after their dental health.
Make sure that you establish a regular dental care routine from the start by using a dog-specific toothbrush and toothpaste on a daily basis. Alternatively, you can use teeth gel, water additives, or dental treats that are appropriate for puppies.
Puppy grooming essentials
Shampoo and conditioner
Your young puppy’s curious nature will often lead them to muddy puddles and the like. Keep their coat clean and smelling fresh with a gentle shampoo and conditioner that’s suited for sensitive puppy skin. Have a supply of eye and ear cleaning products ready too.
Brushes, combs and nail clippers
Brushing is a great way to keep your pet neat and tidy without the hassle of washing them. Longer-haired puppies will need regular combing to ensure their coat does not have tangles. Even if your puppy has a short coat, it is recommended that initially you brush them every day to remove loose hair.
You will also need to trim your puppy’s nails regularly. This is something you can do at home with nail trimmers, but your local Petbarn grooming salon is always happy to help.
Puppy training essentials
Enrol your puppy in puppy school
It’s strongly recommended you enrol your puppy in puppy school. Not only can it help you learn the basics of training, but it’s an opportunity for your puppy to safely socialise with other dogs during their first crucial development period.
Chew stop
When your puppy is teething, no item in your home, be it furniture or clothing, will be safe from the wrath of your puppy’s tiny teeth. Arm yourself with anti-chew spray with a bitter taste that will discourage your puppy from chewing on your belongings.
Treats
Your puppy’s first weeks with you will involve a lot of lessons, so you’ll need a supply of healthy puppy training treats on hand to reward good behaviour!
Puppy toilet training essentials
Odour or stain neutraliser
While your puppy is learning where they should go to the toilet, there are going to be accidents. Use enzymatic stain and odour removers to thoroughly clean these accidents, removing the scent cues that are often left behind by normal household cleaners
Puppy pads
Training pads provide a dedicated area for your puppy to do their business and help them get started with toilet training. They, along with Pet Loos, are especially useful for apartment dwellers or indoor dogs who don’t have easy access to a backyard.
Puppy exercise and play essentials
A collar, ID tag, harness, and lead
Your puppy can’t explore the big wide world until they’ve had all their vaccinations, but while they’re still at home it’s important that you use this time to familiarise them with a soft puppy collar or harness and lead. You’ll have so much fun choosing one that suits your puppy’s style.
Consider adding an identification tag that display your puppy’s name and your contact details. It, along with a microchip, can help reunite you with your puppy they ever become lost.
Chew toys
Puppies explore the world using their mouths, and this can involve a lot of unwanted chewing on your belongings. Satisfy your puppy with chew toys as an alternative to your favourite shoes, furniture and electrical cords.
Play toys
Your playful puppy will have a ball with all sorts of toys, so keep them focused on the right things to play with. We recommend having at least five toys with different benefits you can rotate to avoid boredom.
Waste control bags and bag holder
When your puppy is vaccinated and ready to head out to the park, you’ll definitely need to keep some dog poop bags on hand. It’s also good to have a stash of these at home for cleaning your backyard and for any accidents while you’re on your toilet training journey.
Store your poop bags in a handy bag dispenser which you can refill as needed. Many of these dispensers are designed to conveniently clip on to your dog’s lead, so you can always have poop bags on hand during walks.
Want to buy most of the essentials with a single click? Check out Petbarn’s puppy starter packs.
If you’re in need of any more puppy essentials, head to your nearest Petbarn store where our friendly team members will be happy to give you any advice you need.