Puppy Shopping List
Pet shops are bursting with things to buy for your new puppy but what do they actually need?
The pet industry is booming. There are so many products, toys, foods, treats on the market that it can be hard to know where to start. Often its easier and more fun to buy the cute fluffy toys, pretty leads and beds but it is important not to lose sight of the why behind the products you are buying. You want to make sure you are putting your dollars into what will have the most value in your puppy journey.
I have compiled a list of what to focus when buying for your new puppy.
Lets start with the basics to care for your puppy
Food - talk to your breeder; talk to your vet and decide what is right for your dog and your budget. You should aim for the best quality food you can afford. Always transition your dog to a new diet slowly.
Food Bowl - sure you can get one if you want but hopefully after exploring puppy portal you will be convinced that meal times are an enrichment opportunity! Read more here:
Water Bowl - doesn’t have to be big but does have to be sturdy, preferably with a rubber bottom so non slip and one your puppy can’t tip over
Lead and Collar - Something relatively inexpensive - your puppy is going to grow so you will be needing a new one pretty soon. Leads can get chewed too so don’t spend too much. Avoid extending leads the handles are bulky making use hard, the mechanism can fail, they get tangled easily…… start with an inexpensive fixed length lead. If you can find one which is a little longer to allow your puppy more time to roam and explore.
Bed - something relatively inexpensive. Raised hammock beds can be good. Your puppy might be a bed destroyer.
Now what I consider to be the most important items from a training and behaviour point of view.
Crate - it’s not a prison / cage - its a management tool, a den for your dog, a place of comfort, which keeps them safe and helps settling.
Puppy Pen - A puppy play pen is a useful way to set up a safe space for your puppy both indoors and outdoors.
Baby gates - optional but useful for restricting access to areas of your home, a useful addition to your management strategy.
Indoor toilet option - If you are going to have to leave your puppy for more than an hour or two in the first few weeks they will need an indoor toilet option. They may need this for longer depending on how toilet training progresses.
Chew toys - puppies chew its an unavoidable fact give them lots of appropriate chewing outlets in the toys you provide.
Long lasting edible chews - antlers, bully sticks, pigs ears, carrots - chewing calms, helps settling and promotes rest.
Interactive Toys - you don’t need lots of toys but you should consider whether a toy needs your involvement to make it fun e.g tug rope or whether your puppy can engage with it on their own e.g treat dispensing ball and try and get toys from each category.
Chew toys and Long lasting chews - I know I already said this but it is really important!!!
Treats - Treats are not essential for your new puppy but can be fun. You can train with their normal meal allowance which is a little trickier or messier if they are on an exclusively raw diet. Just because they are not essential doesn’t mean they are not good to have. Check out my blog post for recommendations on treats.
Heart Beat / Warm Puppy - soft cuddly toys with an inbuilt heart beat or ability to be warmed intended to bring your puppy comfort without their litter mates.
Shop for your new puppy with us
