Muchita

New puppy checklist

Have the basics waiting before your puppy comes home: a place to sleep, bowls, a collar and leash, and a few toys. Tick off what you already own, pick sizes your puppy can grow into, and let your vet help you choose food and flea treatment.

Ready-made list. It saves when you change something.
0/24 done

  • Feeding

    0/5
  • Puppy foodAsk your vet which food suits your puppy's age and size.1
  • Food bowlPick one that is easy to wash every day.1
  • Water bowlSet bowls away from where your family eats.1
  • Food storage containerStore dog food apart from your family's food.1
  • Training treatsSmall rewards for training; count them in daily food.1

  • Sleeping and travel

    0/4
  • Dog crateGives your puppy a safe, quiet place to rest.1
  • Dog bedChoose a size that fits your puppy as it grows.1
  • Soft blanketPick one that is machine washable, with no loose threads or fringes to chew.1
  • Pet carrierFor the ride home and trips to the vet.1

  • Collar, leash and walks

    0/4
  • Adjustable collarCheck the fit often as your puppy grows.1
  • ID tagAdd your phone number in case your puppy gets lost.1
  • LeashA light leash is easier for a small puppy.1
  • Poop bagsAlways pick up after your dog, even in your own yard.2

  • Grooming

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  • Dog brush and combChoose the type that suits your puppy's coat.1
  • Flea combCheck for fleas and ticks daily in warm seasons.1
  • Dog toothbrush and pasteUse toothpaste made for dogs, not people.1

  • Health and cleanup

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  • Flea and tick preventionAsk your vet which preventive treatment to use.1
  • Enzyme cleanerFor accidents; let it dry before your puppy goes back in the room.1
  • Hand soapWash hands after handling your puppy, bowls or poop.1

  • Training, play and safety

    0/5
  • Safe chew toysRotate a few so your puppy has something allowed to chew.3
  • Fetch or tug toyPlay burns energy and keeps your puppy busy.1
  • Treat pouchKeeps rewards handy for training on walks.1
  • Cabinet latchesKeep cleaners, soap and medicines out of reach.2
  • Trash can with lidStops your puppy from digging into the trash.1

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Printable checklist (24 items)

Feeding

  • Puppy food
  • Food bowl
  • Water bowl
  • Food storage container
  • Training treats

Sleeping and travel

  • Dog crate
  • Dog bed
  • Soft blanket
  • Pet carrier

Collar, leash and walks

  • Adjustable collar
  • ID tag
  • Leash
  • Poop bags x2

Grooming

  • Dog brush and comb
  • Flea comb
  • Dog toothbrush and paste

Health and cleanup

  • Flea and tick prevention
  • Enzyme cleaner
  • Hand soap

Training, play and safety

  • Safe chew toys x3
  • Fetch or tug toy
  • Treat pouch
  • Cabinet latches x2
  • Trash can with lid

Book a vet visit for the first week and ask about vaccines and flea, tick and parasite prevention. Before day one, set up a quiet sleeping spot and move cleaners and medicines out of reach. A good habit from the start: wash your hands after handling your puppy, its bowls or its gear.

Before you shop

Book the first vet visit early

Schedule a checkup within a few days to a week of bringing your puppy home. Ask about the vaccine schedule and which flea, tick and parasite prevention to use, and keep the records together in one place.

Feed small meals and store food apart

Young puppies need several small meals a day, so ask your vet what and how much to feed. Keep dog food separate from your family's food, set the bowls away from where people eat and skip raw diets.

Train with rewards

Teach basic commands with praise and small treats rather than punishment. Short, frequent sessions and plenty of safe chew toys help your puppy learn what is allowed to chew.

Puppy-proof before day one

Keep soap, toothpaste, cleaners and medicines out of reach, and let cleaned floors dry before your puppy walks on them. Pick up after every walk and wash your hands after handling poop, bowls or toys.

Questions about this list

What do I need before bringing a puppy home?

Have food and water bowls, puppy food, a collar with an ID tag, a leash, a crate or bed, a carrier for the ride home and a few safe chew toys ready. Add grooming and cleanup supplies, and book a vet visit for the first week.

How often should a puppy eat?

Young puppies eat several small meals a day, and the number goes down as they grow. Your vet can tell you what to feed and how much for your puppy's age and size. Count training treats as part of the daily food.

When does a puppy need its first vet visit?

Plan a checkup within a few days to a week after your puppy comes home. The vet can start or continue the vaccine schedule and advise on flea, tick and parasite prevention. If you adopt from a shelter, bring any records they give you.

More shopping lists

Sources

Updated:

  • ASPCA - General Dog Care
    US animal welfare guidance lists dog supplies: quality food and treats, food and water dishes, toys including safe chew toys, a brush and comb, a flea comb, a collar with ID tag, a leash, a carrier, a training crate, a bed with blankets and a dog toothbrush. It covers several meals a day for young puppies, vaccinations, spay and neuter, and daily flea and tick checks in warm seasons. It does not recommend brands, sizes or quantities.
    Checked: 2026-10-03
  • CDC Healthy Pets - Dogs
    US public health guidance supports a vet visit within a few days to a week after adoption, routine vaccines, asking the vet about flea, tick and parasite prevention, washing hands after handling dogs, their dishes or supplies, always picking up dog poop, not feeding a raw diet and storing dog food away from human food. It does not recommend specific products.
    Checked: 2026-10-03
  • RSPCA - Dogs
    UK animal welfare guidance covers dog diet, exercise suited to age and health, behaviour and social needs, vaccinating a puppy in the first weeks, and training basic commands with positive rewards rather than punishment. It does not list products or brands.
    Checked: 2026-10-03
  • ASPCA Animal Poison Control - Household Products
    US animal poison control guidance supports keeping items such as bar soap and toothpaste out of a pet's reach, letting cleaning products such as enzyme cleaners dry before a pet returns to the area, and rinsing diluted bleach thoroughly. It does not prescribe specific storage products such as latches or bins.
    Checked: 2026-10-03