What do you need to get with a new puppy? Although getting a new puppy is exciting, it can also be overwhelming. Here’s our puppy supply list for new puppy essentials to have on hand before you take your new puppy home!

Where Should a Puppy Sleep?

The puppy will be more comfortable with a carrier to sleep in. Make it large enough that they can turn around and sleep but not so big that they can have a bathroom at one end and a sleeping area at the other. A soft comfortable bed such as the Quiet Time Pet Bed can be easily put in a crate or carrier or it can just be used as a stand along bed.

Food and Water Bowls for Puppies

You will want to get food and water bowls for your puppy and a food mat so that everyone knows where the food and water is. The mat is easier to clean and makes it less likely someone will stumble over the bowl. If you have a large breed puppy, they grow fast! Make sure the bowl size is suitable for a fast-growing pet. We can help you find the right bowl size if you need.

Should Puppy Be On a Lead or Leash?

Leashes or leads are best for security. The show leads are great as they slip over the head, adjust with age and cannot be easily slipped. They work great for leash breaking because the puppy quickly learns that if they slack the leash, it lightens the pull on their neck. If your puppy isn’t use to wearing a collar, the Breeder’s Edge ID Me Training Collar is a great tool for collar training.

Should I Give Vitamins to My Puppy?

A vitamin supplement for puppies will keep appetite up during the first few months when growth is constant and fast.

• Small breed pups will benefit from a high energy and calorie supplement, like Doc Roy’s^® Forti Cal^™, three times a day for one week and then daily for a second week. The high calorie keeps them from becoming hypoglycemic and the vitamins in the Forti Cal keeps their appetites up.
• Large breeds need support for bone growth. The first eight months of fast growth can challenge a large breed dog. They benefit from bone support during that time. Doc Roy’s^® Healthy Bones is a vitamin mineral supplement that will assure uninterrupted bone growth.

Are Probiotics Good for Puppies?

Yes! GI upsets are common when changing homes or diet. It’s better to prevent rather than wait for an issue to happen! Probiotics are a must-have for a new puppy. Give them Doc Roy’s^® GI Synbiotics daily for the first two weeks as a preventive. For the first two weeks, sprinkle the powder on food or feed the gel directly in the mouth. After two weeks the puppy will acclimate to his new schedule and be less likely to have issues. Keep GI Synbiotics on hand to treat any tummy upsets you may encounter in the future. Use twice a day when having tummy issues, then once a day for one week after recovery. Use daily for several days any time you change food to support a healthy GI tract and help minimize the potential for loose stool.

If you need tips on dealing with “puppy behavior” or effectively housebreaking a puppy, check out the books My Puppy Guide or Your Pandemic Puppy, which help new owners through common new puppy issues during the first 30 to 60 days.

If you have more questions on must-have new puppy essentials, call us at 800.786.4751.