A new puppy can make a wonderful addition to your family! But like all living beings, puppies require a certain standard of care. You have to provide them with everything they need to live a happy and healthy life—yummy food, a place to sleep, fun toys, and so much more.
Before you bring a puppy home, you want to make sure you have what you need to meet their basic needs. But what items are musts before bringing a puppy home, and what items can wait until later? To help your pup’s move-in day go smoothly, here’s a list of what you need before bringing home your new puppy.
A Cozy Bed
Just like how you love to retreat to your comfy bed at the end of a long day, your dog likes to cozy up somewhere soft and warm for nap time. For new puppies, a soft-sided dog crate outfitted with a dog bed is a great place to sleep. You don’t want your puppy to wander around the house unattended at night, hence the crate.
Safe and Sound
Did you know? Crates help puppies adjust to new homes faster. The confined and snug space makes them feel protected.
Food and Treats
Another thing you need before bringing home your new puppy is food and treats. Puppies are growing, and to grow big and strong, they need to eat. Pups have different nutritional needs than adult dogs, so make sure to buy a puppy-friendly food mix.
Treats are also important for training your puppy and bonding with them. Each puppy has their own preferences, and finding your pup’s preferred snack foods can take time. But few dogs can resist tasty treats like peanut butter and meaty munchies, which makes them good universal starting snacks for pups.
Food and Water Bowl
You need a place to put your puppy’s food and drink, which is why food and water bowls are a necessity. Elevated, nonslip, and stainless steel/stoneware bowls minimize spillage, are easy to clean, and are most comfortable for pups to eat and drink from.
A Collar, Leash, and ID Tag
Puppies are balls of energy. Daily walks will help them release some of their pent-up excitement and curiosity. You want your pup to be safe while they play outdoors, and for that, an ID tag, collar, and a sturdy leash are musts. Most puppies wear a small collar size, but this varies from breed to breed. For leashes, we recommend bungee cord leashes for their shock-absorbing qualities.
Plenty of Toys
When your puppy is awake, they’ll want to explore and play. Offering them fun and interesting toys will keep them from gnawing on your furniture out of boredom. Your pup’s toy box should include toys in a variety of unique colors, shapes, and textures.
