New puppy checklist: what to buy
By the Toodle team · Updated · Prices checked daily
Bringing a puppy home is exciting, and a little overwhelming. Here's a checklist of what you'll need in the first weeks, followed by puppy food, treats, toys, crates and supplies in stock at the shops we work with.
The new puppy checklist
Puppy food
A food for growth or all life stages, and for large-breed growth if your puppy will be 70 lb or more as an adult. Ask your breeder or shelter what they've been eating and switch gradually.
Bowls
One for food, one for water. Stainless steel or ceramic is easiest to keep clean.
Collar, ID tag and leash
A lightweight adjustable collar with an ID tag, and a 6 ft leash. Many owners add a puppy harness for walks.
Crate or playpen
A safe spot for naps and for when you can't supervise, sized so your puppy can stand up and turn around.
Bed
Something washable. Puppies chew, so a simple, inexpensive bed is fine at first.
Chew toys
Puppies teethe until about six months. Firm rubber chew toys give them something to chew that isn't your shoes.
Small training treats
Tiny, soft treats for house training and first commands.
Cleanup supplies
A pet stain and odor remover for accidents, and poop bags for walks.
Gentle shampoo and wipes
A puppy shampoo for the occasional bath (check the minimum age on the label) and wipes for muddy paws.
A vet appointment
Book a checkup in the first week for vaccines and a health check, and to ask about food and parasite prevention.
At a glance
We found 30 options in stock from 11 stores, from $6.59 to $54.95.
- Lowest-priced in Puppy food: Fromm Large Breed Puppy Gold Dry Dog Food, $17.93 at Only Natural Pet
- Lowest-priced in Treats for training: Nutrisource Little Bites Soft & Chewy Dog Treats, $6.59 at Only Natural Pet
- Lowest-priced in Bath time: Gentle Puppy Shampoo, $13.99 at Alzoo
- Lowest-priced in Toys and chews: Woof HonestChew Ultra Tough Plant Based Dog Chew Toy, $9.99 at Only Natural Pet
- Lowest-priced in Crates and playpens: ANCONA Dog Playpen, $29.99 at KingCamp
- Lowest-priced in Cleanup: Earth Rated Dog Poop Bags, $7.99 at Only Natural Pet
How we picked
- Puppy food, treats and shampoo made for puppies, plus chew toys, crates, playpens and cleanup supplies
- In stock with a current price
- Grouped by what they're for
Listed from the lowest price. Prices and stock come from each store and are checked through the day. We haven't tested these products ourselves; the facts come from each maker's listing. Stores may pay Toodle a commission; that never changes what's listed or the order. How Toodle makes money
Ask your vet about food, vaccines and parasite prevention for your puppy.
Puppy food
1. Fromm
Fromm Large Breed Puppy Gold Dry Dog Food
Dry puppy food designed for breeds expected to weigh over 50 lb as adults.
- 3 sizes
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$17.93 at Only Natural Pet · 5 lbPrice checked 12 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
2. Ultimates
Ultimates Puppy Chicken & Rice Dry Dog Food
Dry dog food from Ultimates.
- 3 sizes
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$18.79 at Only Natural Pet · Chicken & Rice / 5 lbPrice checked 11 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
3. The Honest Kitchen
The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Food Clusters Puppy Dog Food
Chicken-based whole-grain food clusters formulated for puppies, in 4 lb and 20 lb bags.
- 2 sizes
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$24.49 at Only Natural Pet · 4 lbPrice checked 12 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
4. Nulo
Nulo Small Breed Pate Puppy Canned Dog Food 2.8 oz (Case of 12)
Wet dog food from Nulo.
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$26.99 at Only Natural PetPrice checked 7 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
5. Open Farm
Open Farm Ancient Grains Rawmix Puppy Food
Grain-inclusive dry puppy food offered in 3.5 lb and 20 lb bags.
- 2 sizes
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$28.99 at Only Natural Pet · 3.5 lbPrice checked 8 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
6. Open Farm
Open Farm Grain Free Rawmix Puppy Food
Dry dog food from Open Farm.
- 2 sizes
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$28.99 at Only Natural Pet · 3.5 lbPrice checked 8 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
Treats for training
7. Nutrisource
Nutrisource Little Bites Soft & Chewy Dog Treats
Small, soft and chewy dog treats in chicken, rabbit, duck or salmon recipes.
- 4 flavors
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$6.59 at Only Natural Pet · Chicken 6 ozPrice checked 8 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
8. Gnarly Bites
Amp'd Up Training Treats
Small training treats made with real chicken and venison.
$13.00 at Gnarly PetsPrice checked 2 hours ago
Buy at Gnarly Pets
9. PawCo
Magic Bar Plant-Based Snack Bars
Soft, chewy peanut butter snack bars with pumpkin and chicory root, easy to chew at any age.
- 2 sizes
- 6 flavors
- Free shipping over $40 at PawCo
$15.49 at PawCo · Original · 8-packPrice checked 9 hours ago
Buy at PawCo
10. Granville Island Pet Treatery
Soft & Chewy Pork Liver & Cheese Treats
It's Like a Burger Cheese: soft, chewy pork liver and cheese treats for dogs and cats, easy to break into small pieces.
$17.49 at Granville Island Pet TreateryPrice checked 1 hours ago
Buy at Granville Island Pet Treatery
11. Dogswell
Dogswell Puppy Health Mini Soft Strip Jerky Puppy Treats
Soft lamb jerky strips marketed for puppies, supplied in a 10 oz bag.
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$17.59 at Only Natural PetPrice checked 7 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
Bath time
12. Alzoo
Gentle Puppy Shampoo
8 oz extra-mild, moisture-rich shampoo with linoleic fatty acids and botanical oils for a puppy's sensitive skin.
- Ships free from Alzoo
$13.99 at AlzooPrice checked 9 hours ago
Buy at Alzoo
13. Alzoo
Plant-Based Grooming Wipes for Puppies
100 FSC-certified wipes with organic aloe vera juice for paws, coats and faces between baths.
- Ships free from Alzoo
$13.99 at AlzooPrice checked 9 hours ago
Buy at Alzoo
14. Only Natural Pet
Only Natural Pet Puppy Shampoo with Aloe + Shea Butter
An aloe and shea butter puppy shampoo in a 16.9 oz bottle.
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$15.99 at Only Natural PetPrice checked 2 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
15. Earthbath
Earthbath Ultra-Mild Wild Cherry Puppy Wipes
Wild cherry-scented puppy wipes in a 100-count pack for small cleanups between baths.
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$17.99 at Only Natural PetPrice checked 2 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
16. Alzoo
Puppy Starter Kit
Three puppy basics: a 32 oz lavender vanilla stain and odor remover, 8 oz gentle puppy shampoo and 100 plant-based puppy grooming wipes.
- Ships free from Alzoo
$29.99 at AlzooPrice checked 9 hours ago
Buy at Alzoo
Toys and chews
17. Woof
Woof HonestChew Ultra Tough Plant Based Dog Chew Toy
A firm, plant-based dog chew toy offered in two shapes and three sizes.
- Sizes Small to Large
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$9.99 at Only Natural Pet · Antler / SmallPrice checked 9 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
18. Tuffy
Silly Squeaker Beer Can, Smella Arpaw
A squeaky rubber parody beer can dog toy.
$10.99 at Doodle Doo BakeryPrice checked 7 hours ago
Buy at Doodle Doo Bakery
19. KONG
KONG Classic Dog Toy
Natural rubber chew toy that can be stuffed with treats.
- Sizes Medium to Large
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$11.96 at Only Natural Pet · MediumPrice checked 1 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
20. Spunky Pup
Double Wall Hydrant
A rubber fire hydrant chew toy with a double wall, made in the USA.
- Sizes Small to Large
$11.99 at Doodle Doo Bakery · SmallPrice checked 6 hours ago
Buy at Doodle Doo Bakery
21. Spunky Pup
The Tire Rubber Toy
A tire-shaped chew and fetch toy made in the USA from reclaimed rubber.
- Sizes Small to Large
$11.99 at Doodle Doo Bakery · SmallPrice checked 5 hours ago
Buy at Doodle Doo Bakery
22. WOOF
WOOF Pupsicle Treat Toy
Refillable ball toy that holds a frozen treat.
- Fits dogs 25–75 lb
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$21.49 at Only Natural PetPrice checked 9 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
Crates and playpens
23. KingCamp
ANCONA Dog Playpen
A foldable playpen with a steel frame, mesh windows, front and back doors and a zip-open top, for the backyard, a campsite or a hotel room.
- Sizes Small to Large
- 3 colors
- Free shipping over $99 at KingCamp
$29.99 at KingCamp · Green · SmallPrice checked 6 hours ago
Buy at KingCamp
24. K9 Sport Sack
K9 Kennel Pop-Up Dog Tent
A travel kennel that pops open and folds down in seconds and packs into a backpack or suitcase, for the beach, campsites and hotel rooms.
- Sizes Small to Large
- 2 colors
- Size guide on the product page
$54.95 at K9 Sport Sack · Blue · SmallPrice checked 5 hours ago
Buy at K9 Sport Sack
Cleanup
25. Earth Rated
Earth Rated Dog Poop Bags
Leak-proof poop bags on refill rolls.
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$7.99 at Only Natural PetPrice checked 1 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
26. Cycle Dog
Earth Friendly Dog Poop Bags
72 dog poop bags on 6 refill rolls, made from corn and plant starches.
$10.95 at Free the OceanPrice checked 2 hours ago
Buy at Free the Ocean
27. Alzoo
Stain & Odor Remover Spray
Enzyme and probiotic spray for urine, vomit and food messes on carpet, wood, stone and most surfaces.
- 2 sizes
- 3 colors
- Ships free from Alzoo
$10.99 at Alzoo · Apple Blossom · 16 fl ozPrice checked 11 hours ago
Buy at Alzoo
28. Alzoo
Concentrated Stain & Odor Remover
The same enzyme and probiotic cleaner as a small concentrate: fill the reusable 32 oz bottle with water and add a 1.1 oz refill.
- 2 sizes
- Ships free from Alzoo
$12.99 at Alzoo · Refill · 1.1 fl oz concentratePrice checked 10 hours ago
Buy at Alzoo
29. Big Ass Dog Company
Big Ass Poop Bags
Scented, easy-open poop bags sized for big dogs: 16 rolls, 192 bags per box.
- Fits dogs from 40 lb
- Free shipping over $100 at Big Ass Dog Company
$15.95 at Big Ass Dog CompanyPrice checked 9 hours ago
Buy at Big Ass Dog Company
30. Puracy
Pet Stain & Odor Remover
A no-rinse spray for pet stains and odors, like urine, vomit, drool and mud, on carpet, upholstery and other surfaces.
- 2 sizes
$17.99 at Puracy · 25 oz bottlePrice checked 1 hours ago
Buy at Puracy
Compare them side by side
The first week
Keep things calm and simple: a set routine for meals, potty breaks and sleep helps a puppy settle fast. Take them out after every meal, nap and play session, and reward them right away when they go outside.
Puppy-proofing
Get down to puppy height and look for cords, shoes, small objects, houseplants and anything else that can be chewed or swallowed. Baby gates and a playpen make it easier to keep a puppy safe while you can't watch.
Questions
- What do I need before bringing a puppy home?
- Puppy food, bowls, a collar with an ID tag, a leash, a crate or playpen, a bed, chew toys, training treats and cleanup supplies, plus a vet appointment.
- How long should a puppy eat puppy food?
- Usually until about 12 months, or longer for large breeds. Ask your vet when to switch.
- Do puppies need special shampoo?
- A gentle puppy shampoo is best. Check the minimum age on the label.