Reviewed by Dr. Terry White, DVM
Bringing a new puppy into your home is an exciting and joyful experience, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. New puppy owners often feel overwhelmed by the amount of care and attention these little furballs require. From choosing the right supplies to understanding their health needs, there’s a lot to consider. Many new dog parents share common concerns such as ensuring their puppies have the right food, understanding vaccination schedules, and creating a safe environment.
To help you navigate these challenges and set your puppy up for a healthy and happy life, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide. This guide addresses the essential list of puppy supplies you'll need from day one, along with expert advice on health care, training, and nutrition.
What's In This Complete Guide?
What You Need on Day One: A list of essential items to prepare as soon as a puppy comes home
Puppy Nutrition 101: Learn the A-Z of feeding your puppy, ensuring they get all the nutrients they need for a strong start in life.
Training Tips & House Rules: From potty training to basic commands, we've got expert advice to set you and your puppy up for success.
Toxic Substances for Dogs: Recognizing the common toxic , straight from a veterinarian's perspective.
Puppy Supplies List: What You Need On Day One
What You Need | Perspective from Dr. White, EverPal’s Medical Director |
Cleaning Supplies | Puppies might have accidents, so it's good to have an enzymatic cleaner. This type of cleaner removes odors better than vinegar and water, preventing your puppy from using the same spot again. Follow the cleaner's instructions to fully remove odors. |
Food | Stick to puppy food since it meets their specific nutritional needs. Try to continue feeding them the same food that the breeder was using to avoid upset stomachs. If you need to change their food, do it gradually by mixing the new food with the old. |
Bowls | Initially, any home bowls work, but consider getting stainless steel or ceramic ones later. They're better because they don't hold bacteria like plastic bowls. Also, think about adding food puzzles and toys to keep your puppy engaged. |
Crate | A crate can help with house training, as puppies don't like to mess where they sleep. But don't use it as punishment. Instead, create a safe space with a crate, play area, and a spot for food and bathroom breaks. If they're overexcited, give them a treat or a toy, or go for a walk instead of putting them in the crate. Choose a crate that’s big enough to move around comfortably. |
Collar, Harness, and Leash | Essential for safety during walks. |
Toys | Choose safe, durable toys to prevent choking or other injuries. Avoid letting them play with things like old shoes, as they might think all shoes are toys. Puppies explore with their mouths, so ensure what they're chewing on is safe and not valuable to you! |
ID Tag | Get one with your phone number to attach to your dog’s collar or harness. Available at pet stores or online. |
City License | Check local laws. You might need one, usually requiring proof of rabies vaccination. |
Medications | Talk to your vet about flea, tick, and heartworm prevention, and any other treatments your puppy might need. |
Poop Bags | Choose from various types—compostable, scented, with handles. It’s your job to clean up after them. |
Veterinarian | Schedule an initial visit with your local veterinarian for a annual physical exam. EverPal is also here as your urgent care and chronic care partner for you. Whenever you need answers, our vets with 30+ years of experience are here to help, even after your vet’s regular hours! |
Act Quickly on Medical Issues | Puppies' immune systems are still developing. If something seems off, see your vet rather than searching online. |
Know Your Emergency Vets | Find out where the nearest emergency vet hospitals are and how to get there. When you consult with Dr. Terry White at EverPal, we can also help you navigate the veterinary care system, refer you to a specialist hospital and give you faster access to care. |
Exercise and Play | Young puppies need supervised play rather than structured exercise. Use this time for basic training, like following and targeting, which can lead to leash training. |
Special Care for Flat-Faced Breeds | Breeds with short noses (such as bulldogs, pugs, Pekingnese, lhasa apso, bull mastiffs, and English toy spaniels) struggle in the heat. Keep them cool to prevent heat stroke and learn the signs of overheating. |
Training Tips and House Rules
Housetraining your puppy is one of the first lessons they'll need to learn. They might come trained
from the breeder, but remember, puppies have small bladders. Take them outside regularly - after
waking up, meals, play, and before bedtime. Praise them for going outside but never scold for
inside accidents; they're still learning. With patience and consistency, they'll get it.
Puppies also need to learn your house rules early. If you don't want your adult dog on furniture,
start now. Teach them not to rush out the door by training them to stay in a specific spot instead.
Always encourage good behaviors and redirect the bad ones. Make sure everyone in the house
follows the same rules to avoid confusing your puppy. Consistency is key; puppies learn from what
they're repeatedly shown.
Puppy Nutrition 101
Navigating puppy nutrition is crucial for your new furry friend's growth and overall health. A
balanced diet tailored to the unique needs of puppies supports their rapid development and sets
the foundation for a healthy life.
Understanding Puppy Nutritional Needs
Puppies grow at an astonishing rate, which means their nutritional needs are significantly different
from those of an adult dog.
Here are the key components of a healthy puppy diet:
High-Quality Protein: Essential for muscle growth and development. Look for puppy food that lists real meat, fish, or poultry as the first ingredients.
Fats: Necessary for energy and brain development, with sources like fish oil providing vital omega-3 fatty acids.
Calcium and Phosphorus: These minerals support healthy bone and teeth development and should be in the correct ratio in puppy food.
Vitamins and Minerals: A wide range ensures proper growth and immune system development.
Here's what you should know about feeding your growing puppy, from those first bites to
transitioning to adult dog food.
The Early Weeks: Nursing to Weaning
Birth to 8 Weeks
Puppies start their life nursing, relying entirely on their mother's milk to meet their nutritional
needs, rich in antibodies and nutrients. As they approach 3-4 weeks, you can begin introducing
specially formulated puppy food, initially moistened to make it easier to eat. This gradual shift
from milk to solid food, known as weaning, is crucial for their development.
The Growth Spurt: Rapid Development
2 to 6 Months
This period is marked by rapid growth. Puppies require a diet high in protein to support muscle
development and sufficient calcium and phosphorus for bone growth. Energy needs are high during
this stage, requiring nutrient-dense, high-quality puppy food to sustain their growth and playful
energy.
The Tween Months: Slowing Down
6 to 12 Months
As puppies approach their first year, their growth rate starts to slow down, especially in small to
medium breeds, which may begin transitioning to adult food around this time. Large and giant
breeds, however, continue to grow and should remain on puppy formulas longer to prevent growth-
related health issues.
The old notion of switching to adult food at 6 months of age could potentially be harmful and is not
recommended.
Special Considerations: Large Breed Puppies
Large breed (expected to be > 70lb adults) puppies have unique nutritional requirements. Their
food should have a balanced energy content to prevent them from growing too fast, which can lead
to joint problems. Additionally, the calcium to phosphorus ratio needs to be carefully managed to
support bone integrity without encouraging excessive growth.
Can I use adult foods for large breed puppies?
This is not recommended because many adult foods have calcium to phosphorus ratios, which can
be harmful for growing large breed dogs, as their bones are still developing. What you should use is
large breed growth diets, which serve the dual purpose of growing needs and reducing overfeeding.
Download The Complete Guide For New Puppy Parents
Guidance from Veterinarians on How To Best Care For Your Puppy
Early preventative care goes a long way for your fur baby's long-term health. Schedule a same-day appointment with Dr. Terry White with 40 years of exprience to help you navigate the journey as a new pet parent, whether it's navigating the medical needs of a puppy, or developing the right nutritional plan for your fur baby.
We currently provide veterinary services in San Francisco, South San Francisco, Daly City, Oakland, and Berkeley in California.
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