The Ultimate New Dog Shopping List: What You Really Need To Buy (and What’s Nice to Have)

When you are getting ready to bring home a new dog, a shopping session on Amazon or Chewy or a visit to Petsmart or Petco is likely on your to-do list. After all, your new dog needs supplies!

But how do you know what you actually need vs. what will just make your life a little more convenient?

We break down the must-haves and the nice-to-haves so you can feel confident and ready for life with your new best friend.

Must-Haves: The Non-Negotiables

There are items that you absolutely must have for your new dog before they arrive. Don’t forget to buy the following.

1. A Crate With a Bed

A crate is more than just a training tool. It’s your dog’s personal safe space. Dogs are den animals, and crates provide a sense of security, especially during the transition into a new home.

Add a cozy bed or crate pad to make it inviting! Just monitor your dog for the first few days to ensure they don’t destroy or eat the bedding.

Tip: To minimize the odds of your dog escaping the crate, consider opting for a wire crate with a door that requires lifting to open. Otherwise, for extreme escape artists, look into the Impact Crate.

2. A Martingale Collar, ID Tag, Leash, & Slip Lead

You’ll need walking gear from day one. A martingale collar minimizes the odds your dog will slip out of their collar and escape because it tightens when they pull. It also distributes pressure more evenly on your dog’s neck, reducing pressure on their trachea.

Plus, a slip lead is handy for training.

Don’t skip the ID tag. American Humane reports that only 15% of lost dogs in shelters without ID are reunited with their families.

Tip: We love these leashes from Max and Neo because they have a handle lower down the leash for added control.

3. Safety (or Backup) Clip

Some people call these safety clips, others call them backups. Whatever you want to call them, they are an added layer of security for walks.

Whether you order one on Amazon or use a carabiner, these clip your slip lead or harness (or a gentle leader or prong if that’s your style) to your dog’s martingale collar. Then, if your dog slips whatever their leash is attached to (or what their leash is attached to breaks), you’ll still have your dog on the end of your leash.

Tip: Check them out on Amazon to see how they work. And then get one. Better safe than sorry is always a good rule to follow.

4. Food Bowl & Water Bowls

Your dog will need something to eat out of and something to drink out of. Opt for stainless steel or ceramic (as long it’s made from pet-safe materials). They are durable and easy to clean.

It’s probably best to avoid plastic, which can harbor bacteria, get smelly, or cause allergic reactions.

5. Food & Treats

Stick to the food your dog was eating originally to start. Then, if you want to transition them to your preferred brand gradually, you can. But again, make the switch gradually. Otherwise, you might upset your new pup's stomach.

Also, invest in treats. These will help help with training and bonding. But don’t overdo it on the treats. Banfield Pet Hospital found obesity can take up to two and a half years off the lifespan of your dog.

Tip: We are fans of Pupford Training Treats because they are low-cal, and we typically get the beef liver flavor just in case any dogs we work with have a poultry allergy.

Learn More: How To Choose the Right Food for Your Dog

6. Poop Bags

Whether your dog is going to the bathroom in your yard or on a walk (or they have the occasional accident in the house while they are getting the hang of potty training), you’ll need poop bags.

Consider stocking up on biodegradable poop bags.

Tip: If you live in a community that has poop bag dispensers along walking paths or in parks, you might be able to skip this one!

7. Chew Bones & Toys

Chewing helps relieve stress and prevents destructive behavior. Give your new dog a mix of chew toys and soft plushies to see what they like best.

Be sure to monitor your dog with these items to prevent them from accidentally ingesting any of the pieces.

Tip: Avoid rawhide because it can be extremely dangerous for dogs. We generally use Benebones for our rescue dogs.

Learn More: Things You Should Always Supervise Your Dog With

8. Cleaner

Let’s have an honest moment: if you think your dog will never have an accident in your home, you need a reality check. Most dogs will have at least one accident in your home as they are figuring out their new environment.

Accidents happen, so be prepared. Use an enzymatic cleaner to remove odors and stains and prevent repeat offenses.

Tip: We like to arm our fosters with Nature’s Miracle to ensure they are prepared for any potty accidents that happen while a dog is in their care.

9. First Aid Kit

Dogs can get into trouble and end up eating something they shouldn’t, scratching themselves on a bush, or even getting stung by a bee. For minor scrapes or emergencies, a pet first aid kit is helpful.

From gauze to Benadryl to styptic powder and more, you’ll be happy you have supplies on hand for when (not if) your dog needs some extra care.

Learn More: Dog First Aid Kits

10. Pet Care Professionals

Ok, so this isn’t an “item” that you can buy, but it’s still important. Line up a vet, an emergency vet, a trainer, and a dog walker or sitter before your pup arrives. Having a support team ready will make your life much easier.

Add these contacts to your phone now so you can have quick access to them when you need them.

Tip: Also, add an animal poison control hotline to your contacts list. You can use the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888.426.4435) or Pet Poison Hotline (855.764.7661). Be prepared to pay a fee for these, though.

Learn More: Dog Professionals Who Should Be In Your Contacts List

11. An Immediate Plan

Another non-item, but it is still worth having. If you live with other people, make sure everyone knows the rules and responsibilities that need to be followed when your new dog arrives.

For example, who's feeding the dog? Who’s handling walks? Does everyone understand that the dog shouldn’t be allowed on the couch and that the gate in the backyard needs to be locked at all times?

A little structure goes a long way!

12. An Emergency Plan

The last of our non-items, this one is critically important. Life happens, and you never know when you might need someone to take care of your dog in an emergency or a worst-case scenario.

Find at least two people who would be willing to care for your dog if something happens to you. The last thing you want to have happen is for your dog to end up homeless and potentially at risk of euthanasia in a shelter.

Learn More: How To Make a Plan For Your Dog

Nice-To-Haves: The Bonus Round

These aren’t essential, but they definitely make life easier.

1. GPS Tracker

Every dog that comes to our rescue and goes into foster care wears some sort of tracker. This is because with any dog going into a new home, there’s always a risk they will slip their collar, bolt out the front door, or Houdini their way out of a yard. It can happen to anyone!

If your dog escapes, you want to be able to find them quickly. A GPS tracker can help with that.

We generally use an AirTag for dogs we know are social and will stay close to people. For dogs that are more fearful of people and would likely head for the hills, we’ll up our tracking game to a more substantial tracker.

Tip: We’ve heard good things about (and have tried) Tractive, but our go-to is the Whistle.

2. Crate Water Bowl

We like allowing our dogs to have access to water when they are in their crates. We never want them to dehydrate!

A no-spill bowl that hooks onto the crate helps keep your dog hydrated without the risk of them drenching themselves or their crate bed.

Tip: These are our favorite crate bowls.

3. Pet Insurance (or a Pet Emergency Fund)

Vet care can be expensive, even for your dog’s routine needs. If you are dealing with an emergency, you could be looking at a bill that’s thousands of dollars.

Pet insurance is worth considering to help offset potential emergency costs. Just make sure you understand what is covered (and what isn't) before you start paying your monthly premiums.

The alternative is to start saving the money that you would put toward pet insurance monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs in an emergency fund. This way, you will have money on standby if your dog needs major medical care.

4. Baby Gates

No dog should have immediate access to your entire house from day one. And, chances are, there will be rooms you don’t want your dog in (i.e., a nursery or your kid’s room).

Baby gates are perfect for creating dog-safe zones or keeping pups out of no-go areas. They can also be helpful when keeping a new dog separated from your current pets or your kids when you are not able to supervise interactions.

5. Dog Beds

Some people love having dog beds in every room of their home so that their dog is comfortable everywhere. Others just have an extra one in their living room, bedroom, or office.

Your dog should have a crate with a crate bed, so extra dog beds aren’t totally necessary. But if you want your dog to have more places to be comfortable throughout your home and you don’t want them on your couch or bed, an extra dog bed (or two) could be helpful.

6. Place Beds

A “place bed” is great for training calm behavior at home. These are different from regular beds as they are generally raised off the ground slightly, giving your dog a clear barrier of where they are supposed to stay.

Place beds are commonly recommended by trainers. They can be helpful tools for teaching a dog to relax, promoting impulse control, and enhancing confidence.

7. Long Line

You should NEVER call your dog to you unless you know you can make them follow through on the command. That’s where a long line comes in.

A long line (or leash) that is 10 to 30 feet long is great for practicing recall without losing control of your dog. We recommend starting indoors or in your yard and using the long line to master recall in low-distraction environments before moving to more chaotic public settings.

8. Grooming Supplies & Toothbrush

All dogs need regular grooming. Having supplies on hand like shampoo, a brush, and a toothbrush can help protect your dog against skin issues, mats, and serious dental issues (but don’t skip the vet for teeth cleanings as needed).

Dogs with longer hair may need professional grooming from time to time to ensure they are properly trimmed. However, you can still give baths and brush them as needed between grooming sessions to prevent them from becoming too dirty.

Tip: Unless your dog is comfortable with you using a nail grinder on their nails, we always suggest allowing a professional to handle anything nail-related. If you do DIY your dog’s nails, have styptic powder on hand, just in case.

Learn More: Grooming Your Dog

9. Car Restraint and Seat Cover or a Car Crate

Unrestrained dogs are a safety risk in the car. Whether you use a seat belt harness or a crate, you’ll want to make sure your dog is properly restrained in the car so they are safe in the event of an accident.

If you are just using a restraint, we also recommend a seat cover to protect your seats from claws, fur, drool, and potential accidents if your dog has any car-related anxiety.

10. Treat Pouch

Timing of treat rewards can be everything when it comes to successful training sessions. The last thing you want is a delay in rewarding your dog because you are fishing through your pocket or purse for a treat.

A treat pouch gives you a quick way to access treats while keeping your hands free during training sessions. We’ve found these to be so helpful when working with our dogs!

11. Lick Mats & Puzzle Toys

Mental stimulation is just as important as physical activity. Lick mats and puzzle toys reduce boredom and anxiety, helping keep your dog mentally stimulated (training helps with this as well, so don’t skimp on that!).

However, you’ll still need to make sure your dog is getting enough physical exercise and that you aren’t just relying on these enrichment items to meet their needs.

12. Camera

Want to keep an eye on your pup while you’re out? Pet cameras can help you monitor your dog from wherever you are.

With the use of a camera, you can make sure your dog is sleeping soundly and not howling or destroying their crate bed. Plus, if the camera has a microphone option, you can talk to them and correct them if they are engaging in any unwanted behaviors.

Tip: We are big fans of the Furbo.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're a first-time dog parent or a seasoned pro, having the right gear makes the transition smoother for everyone. Focus on the must-haves first, then add the nice-to-haves as you go.

A little planning now leads to a lot more tail wags later.

Sources

1. American Humane Society. (2019, April 1). “Every Day Is Tag Day™” — Is Your Pet Protected? Retrieved from https://www.americanhumane.org/blog/every-day-is-tag-day-is-your-pet-protected/

2. AVMA. (2019. February 13). Study Finds Overweight Dogs Live Shorter Lives. Retrieved from https://www.avma.org/javma-news/2019-03-01/study-finds-overweight-dogs-live-shorter-lives