The complete new puppy checklist: everything you need for a healthy, happy puppy

The short answer

Before your puppy comes home you'll need a bed, crate, food and water bowls, collar with ID tag (a legal requirement), lead, their current food, treats, safe toys, poo bags, and flea and worming treatments. Make sure they’ve been microchipped and the details are up-to-date. Don’t forget grooming supplies and secure car travel gear, and puppy-proof your home before your furry bundle of joy arrives!

Your puppy checklist: what to buy for a puppy before bringing them home

Pups may feel out of sorts in a new home, so if you can, give a blanket or a toy to your breeder so they can get their mother’s smell on it. Your puppy can take this home and cuddle it for comfort.

All dogs must be kept safe and secure in the car, even as puppies. This helps to keep your dog settled on journeys, and safe if you ever have an accident. It’s also a legal requirement to keep all animals “suitably restrained”.

You can keep your puppy safe in the car by using a dog crate (or a cat carrier if they’re small enough to fit). Louisa the Vet suggests using a dog crate as the safest and most comfortable option for your pup.

What should you have ready at home for your puppy?

You’ll need these puppy essentials from the moment your four-legged friend comes home:

• comfy bed

• dog crate

• puppy pen or baby gates

• food bowl

• water bowl

• adjustable collar

• ID tag for their collar (this is a legal requirement!)

• lead

• harness (or just use their collar!)

• some of your puppy’s current food

• puppy treats (low, medium, and high value)

• puppy treat pouch

• puppy-safe toys

• poo bags

• poo bag holder

• pet-safe cleaning supplies

• flea treatment

• worming treatment

• pet insurance

Puppy insurance: what you need to know

Unfortunately, there’s no NHS for pets and vet bills can be expensive. From an upset tummy to a trodden-on grass seed, puppies seem to have a habit of finding trouble!

Pet insurance is there to help cover the cost of any unforeseen vet bills, so it’s worth looking into before you bring your puppy home - ideally, before their first vet visit.

Why insure puppies so early? 

Insuring your puppy early means any new illnesses or conditions your puppy develops after your policy start date are likely to be covered by your insurer, whereas any ‘pre-existing conditions’ (health problems your dog had before your policy start date) aren’t usually covered, or may cost more to insure. If in doubt, speak to your preferred insurance provider before taking out a policy.

Most UK insurers also have a waiting period before you can make a claim - so if your pup is running riot chewing things they shouldn’t, that’s something to think about too!

Does puppy insurance cover ongoing conditions? 

It depends on your insurer and their policy terms. Napo pet insurance provides lifetime cover for dogs and cats, with vet fee cover of up to £16,000 a year. That means your vet fee limit refreshes each year, and any conditions that need ongoing treatment (e.g. allergies) remain covered as your pup grows up, for as long as you stay with us. Assuming, of course, that they aren’t pre-existing conditions.

Puppy toys

There are all sorts of enriching dog toys to satisfy their needs. For instance, chew toys will be perfect for when your puppy starts teething. 

Puzzle toys are great for enrichment, and you can use them to feed your pup in a more exciting way. 

Active toys like balls, tugs, and flirt poles are all good for exercising your puppy. Get a range of different toys to keep them occupied!

Puppy grooming supplies

As well as all the puppy essentials like a bed, food, and toys, you need to get grooming supplies as soon as possible. That way, you can start handling your puppy and introducing them to grooming routines during their socialisation period, so they get used to them and don’t find them stressful later in life. 

Your puppy’s grooming routine should include:

• a brush

• dog shampoo

• dog toothbrush

• dog-safe toothpaste

• claw clippers (or dremel)

Never use human toothpaste on your puppy, as it contains ingredients that are toxic to dogs. Instead, always use a pet-safe formula. Brushing your pet's teeth regularly helps to prevent dental disease. 

Getting your puppy used to having their teeth brushed when they're young will make it seem normal and less stressful when they grow up. This makes it much easier to brush their teeth and carry out dental checks when they're older. Here's how you can keep your pup's teeth healthy at home. 

What do you need to travel with your puppy?

As we mentioned earlier, you must keep your puppy safe in the car and secure them properly on every drive. This prevents them from distracting you, and is a legal requirement under Rule 57 of the Highway Code.

Puppy travel checklist:

You can keep your dog secure by using either:

• dog crate

• safe boot space with dog guard

• a dog seatbelt

• a harness (to attach to the seatbelt)

To keep your puppy comfortable and happy in the car you should also bring along a:

• bed or blanket

• safe chew toy

• travel water bottle or bowl

How to prepare your home for a new puppy

As well as buying all the essentials, you’ll need to make sure your house and garden are safe for a new puppy.

Preparing your home for the puppy also means making sure your family’s ready to look after your new pet, so make sure any children in your house know how to interact safely with the puppy. They should know the rules to follow around the puppy, like never waking them up if they’re sleeping, and never disturbing them or taking their food away when they’re eating.

If you have other pets, introduce them to your new puppy calmly and gradually. It can take time for pets to adjust to having a new furry family member, so remember to be patient.

How to prepare for training

Training from the day you bring your puppy home is really important, as it builds good habits early and gets your puppy used to a consistent routine. Puppy training is hard work, so if you feel overwhelmed, you’re definitely not alone!

If you need support, you could look into puppy training classes or schools near you. Just remember to check that the trainer or behaviourist is accredited by an organisation like ABTC. 

Preparing for your new arrival

Getting a new puppy is an exciting time, and we hope you have an amazing life together with your new furry friend! By ticking off everything on this new puppy checklist, you should have everything you need to give your puppy the best care possible.

Once you’ve bought all the essentials, don’t forget to consider insuring your puppy. Having puppy insurance helps to cover the cost of unforeseen vet bills, helping you raise a happy, healthy pup.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a new puppy cost to set up?

PDSA estimates the initial cost of puppy essentials (e.g. bed, toys, collar and lead, water bowls etc) at £415 for a small breed, £531 for a medium breed and £560 for a large breed. This excludes the puppy's purchase price and microchipping costs.

At what age can a puppy leave its mother?

Puppies must be at least 8 weeks old before they can be sold or permanently separated from their mother in England, Scotland and Wales (except for health or welfare reasons).

When should a puppy be microchipped?

Breeders must microchip puppies and register them on a compliant database by 8 weeks old, before they can be sold. While it's the breeder's legal responsibility to microchip them, it’s up to the new owner to make sure their pet’s online database details are up to date. Microchipping has been compulsory for dogs across England, Scotland and Wales since April 2016. 

At what age should I get pet insurance for my puppy?

You should consider this as soon as possible. Most UK insurers, including Napo, let you take out cover for a puppy from around 8 weeks old - as soon as they're legally old enough to be sold and microchipped. It's worth comparing policies before you bring your puppy home so their cover can start straight away.