New puppy Checklist - 6 essentials to buy for your new puppy -

Surviving the first few days with you new puppy

Congratulations, you have a new puppy to love and enjoy! The first few days with you new puppy can really set the stage for the rest of your life with him. It is essential that you prepare well for this very important phase of your puppy’s life. I looked a few essentials for your puppy to help you prepare. Get your supplies before the new puppy arrives so that you are fully prepared and can just enjoy the time together!

1. The right food for your puppy

Your puppy’s diet can make all the difference between a healthy, happy puppy and one that needs to visit the vet all the time! It is very important to choose the correct diet for your new puppy. You have to take into consideration that not all breeds require the same diet. It is important to get the food that caters specifically for your puppy’s needs. For instance, some breed grow much quicker than others and therefore needs a lot more protein! What you do need to take into account, is that all puppies need more protein in their diet to build that necessary muscle and to help them grow.

I looked at the food that is readily available online and chose the following for you to start with.

Extra Small Dog Breeds

I recommend Hill’s Science diet for extra small breed puppies. It is packed with high quality protein to help build muscles. It also contains all natural ingredients like chicken, brown rice and vegetables. Furthermore, the serving is perfect for your tiny puppy!

Small Dog Breeds

Try Purina Pro Plan Focus Puppy Classic for you medium breed puppy. This is a nutrient-rich wet food perfect for developing puppies. Added DHA improves brain function and vision development while lean chicken helps pups grow while maintaining a healthy body weight!

Medium Dog Breeds

For your medium breed puppy, try Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Natural Puppy Wet Dog Food. This irresistible tasty wet food is made using only the finest natural ingredients. They use tender pieces of chicken, packed with garden fruits and veggies, and add vitamins and minerals to get a high quality protein food. Further formulated with DHA to support brain, eye and cognitive development.

Large Dog Breeds

Do yourself a favor and discover Whole Earth Farms, a wholesome line of naturally nutritious dog food that offers all the goodness from the earth at a good value. All Whole Earth Farms kibble and canned recipes are made in the USA with high quality, natural ingredients that deliver complete and balanced nutrition. Protein rich chicken, blueberries, flavorful rosemary, sage and thyme are just a few of the nutritious ingredients. Cooked in America with the earth’s best ingredients!

2. Food and Water Bowls

Your new puppy needs his own food and water bowls from the start. Do not feed him with you other pets – his dietary needs are quite different from older pets’ needs. Your puppy also needs access to fresh water all the time!

It is best to get stainless steel bowls. It is a lot easier to really get clean of all bacteria which can easily cause problems with your young puppy.

Get the Bonza Two Piece Replacement Stainless Steel Dog Bowls as a starter set for your puppy. These bowls are dishwasher safe and easy to clean. They are sturdy, high quality and perfect for small dogs and cats.

The Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain gives your pet fresh water all the time. No stagnant water – this high quality fountatin holds over 1 gallon of water and constantly filters and aerates its. The free-falling stream of water encourages your pet to drink more and stay hydrated.

3. Crate and bedding for your puppy

Your new puppy needs his own safe place to sleep and relax. Dogs are den animals and they love the comfort and security of a place of their own. It is very useful to buy a sturdy crate where your new puppy can be safe. A crate is also a very useful training tool. Read our tips on using a crate to train your small puppy here.

One of the nicest beds on the market is the Frisco Sherpa Bolster Rectangular Pet Bed. This bed will give your pet plenty of room for a very nice sleep.The bold, modern pattern adds a beautiful touch to any home, and the bed is completely machine-washable.

Get this soft and cute PAWZ Road Pet Dog Blanket, made from fleece fabric. This soft and warm blanket keep pet hair off furniture beds and upholstery. Furthermore, it’ is completely machine washable. This cute and warm blanket is ideal for travel and nap time!

Get this single or double door folding metal Dog Crate from MidWest Home for Pets. This durable design creates a safe place for your pet while you’re away & caters to your dog’s natural “den” instincts. Comes in all different sizes to cater for your specific breed.

4. Collar and Leash

It is good to get a light-weight collar or harness for your new puppy. It will help to identify the puppy and also get him started on training. The right harness of even collar is a valuable training tool. Just be careful to want to go for too long walks too early with your puppy. Remember that he is still a baby and can only walk a short distance!

This multi-purpose harness is perfect for your new puppy. The Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Harness with Steel Nesting Buckles and enhanced strength is a perfect everyday walking harness, but it also doubles as a car-harness. Its five adjustments points makes it easy to get a near custom fit for any dog, regardless of size and proportions.

Get the Frisco Patterned American Flag Dog Collar for your new puppy. This is especially designed for everyday wear. Striped and star-spangled, it’s easy to put on with a plastic buckle that has rounded edges for added comfort. This is made from high-quality, durable polyester webbing for everyday wear and fun outdoor adventures!

Have a look at the PetSafe Premier Nylon Dog Leash if you want a nice, all-purpose, affordably leash. This soft, durable nylon dog leash with heavy-duty stitching is a tough enough to keep you—the pet parent—in control and not your dog! It also comes in a variety of sizes and colors.

Do not let your dog get lost! Get a cute personalized Glitter Paw Pet ID Tag. It is custom engraved and easy to read.

5. Toys

Your new puppy needs a lot of stimulation to help him develop into a nicely mannered member of your family! What is better than a gentle tug-of-war game with you puppy to build trust? Or to get him a safe toy to chew to soothe his aching gums and keep your favorite pair of slippers safe! Have a look at these affordable toys I found for your puppy.

For that razor-sharp teeth, get the Frisco Puppy Lil’ Romps Teething Rings Dog Toy. The toy is made of thermoplastic rubber. It can take the light chewing of teething puppies, while being gentle on teeth and gums. It encourages healthy playtime behavior. Get in on all the games like tossing it for fetch. Plus, the nubs help scrub teeth to keep them clean.

Teach your puppy to fetch with the amusing Frisco Fetch TPR Squeaking Ball Dog Toy, it will keep him entertained for hours! This squeaky and bouncy toy is much more than just a fetch toy! As an added bonus it will start your puppy on his road to obedience training.

Get the Frisco Plush Squeaking Fox Dog Toy. Your puppy will have hours of enjoyment form this! Your new puppy needs something to sleep with to make up for all his brothers and sisters that are not there anymore.

6. Dog shampoo and grooming tools

Burt’s Bees Tearless Puppy Shampoo with Buttermilk for Dogs is absolutely the best shampoo for you small puppy. It is made with some of nature’s finest ingredients for your peace of mind and a clean and calm puppy!

The absolute best grooming and shampoo tool on the market is the KONG Dog ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush! It removes loose hair like a magnet, and it stimulates capillaries and natural oil production for healthy skin and a healthy coat.