Shopping list for a puppy

What does a puppy need?

Pet stores are like heaven for dog lovers. On the flip side they can be overwhelming for new dog owners. There are so many temptations on every shelf; from toys and treats to equipment and clothes. Writing a shopping list for your puppy will ensure you get exactly what you need and save money where you can.  

Here is our puppy shopping list:

Dog food

The first item on our shopping list for your new puppy is dog food. Your new puppy has experienced a lot of change in the past few days, so try keep some things constant where you can. We, therefore, recommend that you keep feeding the dog food from the breeder for a while. Should you want to change your puppy’s food, do this over a 7 day period.

It can be useful to have a bag of gastrointestinal puppy food and probiotics at home in case your puppy gets diarrhea. New surroundings, new food and a new micro-environment can cause loose stools.

VETERINARIAN; If the stool becomes watery, bloody, or has mucous in it – contact your veterinarian immediately.

Harness, collar and leash

The second item on our puppy shopping list is a collar and leash. You should use a simple leash so that it is easier for you to communicate with your puppy when training. A flexi-line can be nice when your dog is trained to walk without pulling but is not advised for puppies.

The collar should have an ID tag with the dog’s name, your name and phone number.

There are pros and cons to both collars and harnesses, so choose the one that is best for your dog. If your dog pulls a lot then a harness is recommended. However, collars are great to use when leach training. It is possible to combine a collar and harness.

Food and water bowl

Bowls with a rubber bottom or a stand prevent the bowl from slipping when your dog eats. This is good for dogs of all ages as food and water bowls should be stable on the floor. Stainless steel or ceramic bowls are easy to keep clean.

Dog bed

Puppies sleep between 18–20 hours a day, so the dog bed is where your new dog will spend most of her time. A simple and comfortable bed for the dog should be sufficient when she is young. Many dogs prefer beds with walls so they feel cosy and safe. A warm blanket makes the sleeping area even more inviting – especially in winter. You will also over time learn what shape bed your dog prefers.

Depending on the size/breed of your dog, you may want to find a bed that is orthopedically correct when they become older. For larger dogs, beds made of memory foam will provide good support. Baskets often promote gnawing on the wood creating a choking hazard and are therefore not recommended.

Cage or seat belt for dog

A cage or seat belt for your dog will keep both you and fido safe when driving. If you choose to use a harness and seatbelt make sure the harness is suited for driving. It should be padded and strong so it prevents cut injuries in the event of an accident. The pet store assistants will be able to give you guidance on the best option for you and your dog.

Nail clippers

It is important that your puppy is taught early on that clipping claws is safe. Prevent cutting too much of the nail by getting a sharp set of nail clippers that have a safety guard. Learn how to cut your dog’s nails here.

If you find nail clipping difficult, you can contact your veterinarian or groomer to do this for you. It can be scary if you cut the nail too short. It is seldom dangerous but it does cause some pain. Should this happen then you can use cornstarch or styptic powder on the open wound and apply pressure.

VETERINARIAN; An injured claw/nail should be checked by the veterinarian to avoid inflammation.

Dog toys with different textures and shapes

An essential part of your puppy shopping list is toys – and lots of them! Biting, licking and gnawing is how puppies explore the world. In order for your puppy to satisfy her curiosity, you can give it different toys that have a fun texture or shape. Toys that stimulate the puppy’s cognitive abilities are also a great way to activate the puppy. They are also great to tire them out.

NB! Remember to check that the toy is puppy safe (eyes, ears, arms etc. that can be easily torn off and swallowed should be avoided)

VETERINARIAN; If you suspect that the puppy has ingested something foreign, take her to the vet.

Lots of small dog treats

Treats are a very important item on the shopping list. There will be many situations where threats are needed. Small, soft treats are best suited as they are easy for the puppy to eat. This is beneficial so you can quickly continue with the training.

Remember that treats are part of the daily calorie intake. Excess weight will lower the quality of life for your dog. Do not replace meals with treats and ensure you are still feeding her the daily recommended amount of puppy food.

Compostable poop bags

Compostable poop bags are very useful. Everyone appreciates that we pick up after our dog and throw the poop bag in an appropriate bin. Use compostable bags made of plant fibre, to reduce plastic waste. If you have a compost heap at home you can throw the poop there, but only use this compost for non-edible plants.

A scale to weigh dog food

The last item on our puppy shopping list is not essential nice to have. A scale is very useful to ensure your dog gets the right amount of food daily. We recommend weighing your dog’s food as opposed to using a measuring cup, as the density of the kibble may vary slightly impacting their volume.

REMEMBER; There is a lot of used equipment for dogs online, which is good for both your wallet and the environment. I always check Finn.no before buying equipment and clothing for Nova to see if there is something we can re-use.