What should I buy before bringing a puppy home?

Before pickup, sort the sleep, food and ID essentials: a crate and bed, the same food your breeder or shelter used, bowls, a collar with an ID tag, and a lead. Grooming tools, insurance and enrichment toys can follow in the first week or two.

Do I really need a crate for a new puppy?

A crate is not essential, but most owners find it helps with sleep, safety and potty training. Choose one big enough for your puppy to stand, turn and lie down, and use a divider so it grows with them.

What puppy paperwork and records should I keep?

Keep vaccination and deworming records, microchip registration, your vet's details, and a running note of weight and milestones. Storing them in one book or file makes vet visits and the whole first year far easier.

When should my puppy first see a vet?

Book a first vet visit within the first few days of bringing your puppy home. Your vet will confirm the vaccination and deworming plan and answer early health questions — always follow their advice for your individual dog.

How soon do I need everything on the checklist?

You only need the sleep, food and ID basics ready before day one. Spread grooming supplies, insurance, training toys and enrichment across the first month so the cost and the setup feel calm rather than rushed.

New Puppy Checklist: Everything to Buy and Track in the First Year

Bringing home a puppy means a short, busy shopping list and a longer list of things to remember. This new puppy checklist groups everything into six calm categories, so you can buy what matters, skip what doesn’t, and start tracking from day one.

What should be on your new puppy checklist before day one?

Before your puppy arrives, focus on six groups: sleep and crate, food and bowls, walking and ID, grooming, health and records, and enrichment. Sort the sleep, food and ID basics first — the rest can follow in the first week or two.

Want it on paper? Our free printable New-Puppy Checklist puts all six groups on one page you can tick off. For the wider picture — schedules, milestones and month-by-month expectations — start with our complete first-year guide.

When	What to sort
Before pickup	Crate, bed, food (same brand), bowls, collar, ID tag, lead
First week	Vet visit booked, microchip details confirmed, harness, grooming basics
First month	Insurance or savings plan, training toys, puzzle feeders, a grooming routine
Ongoing	Vaccination, weight and milestone records; flea, tick and worm prevention

Sleep and crate: what do you need for a settled first night?

For calm nights, you need a right-sized crate, soft bedding and a quiet, den-like spot. A crate that is the correct size helps your puppy feel safe and supports early potty training.

A crate sized so your puppy can stand, turn and lie down — use a divider so it grows with them
A washable crate mat or bed
Two or three soft blankets (one can carry the litter’s scent)
A crate cover or quiet corner for calm, den-like darkness
A spot near your bed for the first few weeks

Expect some broken nights at first. Our potty-training timeline explains what is normal, month by month.

Food and bowls: what should you feed a new puppy?

Start with the exact food your breeder or shelter has been using, then change brands gradually over a week or two. Sudden switches upset a young stomach.

The same puppy food your puppy already knows
Stainless steel or ceramic bowls — one for food, one for water
Small, low-calorie training treats
An airtight container to keep food fresh
A measuring cup or kitchen scale for accurate portions

Not sure how much to serve? Our puppy feeding chart by age and weight gives clear portion guidance.

Walking and ID: what does a puppy need for safe outings?

For safe walks and quick reunions if they wander, you need a collar with an ID tag, a fixed-length lead and up-to-date microchip details. Get these ready before the first outing.

A flat collar with room to grow, plus an ID tag with your phone number
A fixed-length lead — avoid retractable leads while you are training
A well-fitted harness, kinder on a growing neck
Microchip registration kept current with your contact details
Poop bags and a small carry pouch

Keeping ID and microchip details current is part of good record-keeping — see what to track in the first year.

Grooming: what supplies should you buy?

Buy a brush suited to your puppy’s coat, a gentle shampoo and basic nail and dental tools. Short, positive grooming sessions early on make handling easy for life.

A breed-appropriate brush or comb
Gentle, tear-free puppy shampoo
Nail clippers or a grinder
A soft toothbrush and dog toothpaste
Ear-cleaning solution and cotton pads (check with your vet first)
An old towel for muddy-walk days

Health and records: what admin comes with a puppy?

The admin half of the checklist is health: a first vet visit, vaccinations, prevention and a place to keep every record. This is general information, not veterinary advice — always confirm specifics with your own vet.

A first vet appointment booked within the first few days
Vaccination and deworming records
Flea, tick and worm prevention, as advised by your vet
Pet insurance or a dedicated savings plan
A small first-aid kit and your vet’s emergency number

Our printable puppy vaccination schedule by week shows the usual timings, and the Puppy Log Book gives you one calm place to keep vet notes, weight and milestones together.

Enrichment: what keeps a puppy busy and calm?

A few safe chews, a puzzle feeder and short daily training sessions keep a puppy busy, ease teething and build good habits. Enrichment prevents boredom — and boredom is where chewed shoes begin.

A few safe chew toys to help with teething
A puzzle feeder or lick mat for calm downtime
One soft toy for comfort
An age-appropriate long-lasting chew
A pen or gate to create a safe, puppy-proofed zone
Short, positive training sessions every day

Once the shopping is done, the keeping begins. The Puppy Log Book holds your puppy’s whole first year in one place — vaccinations, feeding, weight and milestones — and pairs perfectly with our free printable checklist to get you started today.