New puppy checklist: everything you need before day one
Bed, bowls, vet, puppy-proofing and a first-week plan. A complete checklist for bringing your puppy home.
Bringing home a puppy is one of life's great joys, and a lot of work. Getting a few things ready before day one makes the first weeks much smoother for both of you.
The shopping list
Sleeping and resting
- A washable bed, sized for your puppy's adult size (or a smaller one for now)
- A crate or playpen, if you plan to crate-train
- A couple of old blankets or towels
Eating
- Steel or ceramic food and water bowls (easier to clean than plastic)
- Puppy food. Ask the breeder or shelter what they've been feeding, and change slowly if needed.
- Small, soft treats for training
Walking
- A light collar with an ID tag
- A harness and a lead (around 1.5 m)
- Poop bags
Toilet training
- Pee pads or a tray for the early weeks
- A Toilet Training Spray to guide your puppy to the right spot
- An enzyme cleaner for accidents
Grooming
- A soft brush suited to the coat
- A gentle shampoo made for young pets, like Puppy & Kitten Shampoo
- A Waterless Dry Bath Spray for quick clean-ups before your puppy is ready for baths
- Nail clippers sized for small paws
- Soft towels
Play
- Chew toys (puppies teethe and need safe things to chew)
- A rope toy and a ball
- A simple food puzzle
Puppy-proof your home
Get down to puppy level and look around:
- Tuck away electric wires and chargers.
- Move shoes, socks and small objects off the floor.
- Lock away cleaning products, medicines and insecticides.
- Keep chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic and anything with xylitol out of reach.
- Check balcony railings and gaps; small puppies can squeeze through surprisingly small spaces.
- Keep toilet lids down and dustbins covered.
Book the vet
Schedule a check-up in the first few days. Your vet will:
- Check your puppy's overall health
- Set up a vaccination and deworming schedule
- Talk about tick and flea prevention (important in India; see tick season in India)
- Advise on diet and when your puppy can safely go out and meet other dogs
The first week
- Keep it calm. Limit visitors for the first few days.
- Set a routine for meals, potty trips, naps and play. Read potty training in an apartment.
- Let them sleep. Puppies need a lot of it, often 18 hours or more a day.
- Start gentle handling: touching paws, ears and mouth with treats. It makes grooming and vet visits easier for life. See our puppy grooming routine by age.
The first bath
Most puppies don't need a full bath in the first weeks. When it's time, follow our puppy's first bath guide for a calm, happy experience.
Questions pet parents ask
What do I need before bringing a puppy home? +
A bed, food and water bowls, puppy food, collar, harness and lead, ID tag, pee pads, chew toys, a soft brush and gentle puppy shampoo, plus a vet appointment.
When should I take my new puppy to the vet? +
Within the first few days, for a health check and to set up vaccinations and deworming.
When can I give my puppy a bath? +
Most puppies don't need a full bath in the first few weeks. Ask your vet, use a gentle puppy shampoo and keep it short and warm.
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This guide is general information for pet parents, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, injured or you're unsure, please talk to your vet.
