Hi puppy parents! Want to know the best puppy essentials that every dog parent should have? I’m thrilled to share with you the tested and approved products (the fruits of two years dedicated to raising my beloved mixed-breed puppy, Bear).
Getting a new puppy is so exciting, and if you are like me, you have probably scoured the internet for the best of the best puppy essentials. You will learn all about puppy essentials, from puppy food to the best dog crate, dog toys, and more. As a puppy now doggo owner myself, giving these tips will help you be extra prepared for your new fur baby’s home arrival. Again, this post is all about puppy essentials and must-haves for every puppy parent.
Over the past two years, I’ve tried and tested countless products to understand what works best for us, and now I’m here to share my findings. Every dog is unique, so what worked for my dog might not be perfect for every puppy. However, I believe these puppy essentials I’m recommending are truly top-tier and versatile, so they could be beneficial for most puppies.
Now, let’s jump into the puppy’s essential list
Food
- Kibble Dog Food: ACANA Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, Puppy Recipe Bear loves her food, and I wanted to make sure she was getting the right nutrients. This high-quality puppy food was a hit with her, and it supports her growth and health beautifully.
- Dog Food: Smallbatch Pets Freeze-Dried Premium Raw Food Diet for Dogs, Chicken Recipe We take food seriously around here, and Bear loves their variety. Organic produce, humanely raised meat, hydrate and serve patties, and single source protein.
- Dog Food Bowls (photo above): Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slo Bowl Outward Hound uniquely designed fun feeder dog bowls feature meal-lengthening ridges to help slow down your dog’s eating time by 10X.
Grooming
- Brush: BioSilk Eco-Friendly Detangling Pin Brush With Bear’s curly poodle-like hair, regular brushing became crucial to prevent tangles and matting. This brush was not only efficient in grooming but also gentle on Bear’s skin.
- Tooth Brush Kit: Arm & Hammer for Pets Tartar Control Kit for Dogs Contains Toothpaste, Toothbrush & Finger brush. Reduces Plaque & Tartar Buildup | Safe for Puppies, 3-Piece, Beef Flavor.
- Shampoo and Conditioner: Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo & Conditioner Pet Grooming Set Bear has sensitive skin, and this stuff smells good and is gentle on her skin. Specially formulated for pets with dry, itchy, sensitive skin. Colloidal oatmeal and organic aloe vera help combat skin irritation, promote healing, and re-moisturize sensitive, dry skin.
- Bath Towels: Cotton Paradise 6 Piece Towel Set– Bear has lavender towels; that way I can differentiate between my towels and the puppy towels. Maybe use one for the floor next to the tub, one for drying after the bath, one for the face, and one for the paws. The perfect soft and cozy set makes bathtime more enjoyable for you and your puppy.
Home
- Throw Blanket Exclusivo Mezcla Extra Large Flannel Fleece Throw Blanket, 50×70 Inches You will always need more blankets. Maybe one for the sofa, your bed, or on the floor as an extra bed.
- Dog/Cat Bed: Bedsure Calming Dog Bed for Medium Dogs Donut Washable Medium Pet Bed, 30 inches Anti-Slip Round Fluffy Plush Faux Fur Bed, Fits up to 45 lbs. We do a lot of dog and cat combos in this house, and works well. Bear and her cat sisters love this bed.
- Belly Gaurd: BellyGuard Dog Recovery Suit for Male and Female Dogs – Comfortable Cotton Covers for Wounds, Stitches, and Post Surgery – Soft Classic Style. When Bear was fixed, she liked to lick and tear out her stitches. To mitigate that, I used this belly guard and a cushy cone.
- Cone: Supet Inflatable Dog Cone Collar Alternative This inflatable dog donut collar is a perfect cone for dogs after surgery. Inflated dog neck donut works like a plump barrier around your canine’s neck, can effectively prevent your pets from biting and licking injured area or surgical site. Bear was able to lick anyway; therefore, we used the belly guard (link above) with this cone. It helped a ton using both!
- Extended Dog Stairs: 2-Step, 30D Foam Pet Stairs/Steps Non-Slip, Dog Ramp/Ladder for Couch, Dog Step for Small Dogs Cats with Old/Injured/Short-Legged. When Bear was injured, she needed these stairs to discourage jumping off the sofa. She loves to use the stairs now, and it’s better for her back since she is part sausage dog (dachshund).
Technology
- Dog Camera: Furbo 360° Dog Camera: Rotating 360° View Wide-Angle Pet Camera with Treat Tossing Color Night Vision, 1080p HD Pan, 2-Way Audio, Barking Alerts, WiFi, Designed for Dogs. It is so fun to check up on Bear when I’m away from the house. It’s a relief to know what’s going on and even talk to her and throw a treat!
- Apple Air Tag (GPS Tracker): I wish someone had told me to buy this before I had Bear. I have one now and highly recommend it. This is an extra layer of safety to track your puppy, whether in the house or anywhere.
- Apple Air Tag Cover Waterproof Airtag Dog Collar Holder (2 Pack) Protective Anti-Lost Airtag Case for GPS Dog Tracker, Silicone Airtag Cat Collar Dog Airtag Holder for Pets
Toys
- Enrichment Toy-Treat Dog Sniffing Mat: Bear loves this snuffle mat (photo shown above). Interactive Dog Puzzle Toys Snuffle Mats for Slow Feeding, Nosework, Bordem and Mental Stimulation
- Balls: Gnawsome 2.5” Spiky Squeaker Ball Dog Toy – Small I have tried so many balls, and this is the GOAT of all balls and the only one Bear likes to play with daily. This is a small ball, that cleans teeth and promotes dental and gum health.
- Teething Toy Ball (Photo above) Dog Puzzle Teething Toys Ball (2pack) Treat Dispensing Dog Chew Small medium breed dog aggressive chewer chew enrichment toy for boredom and brain-stimulating game to keep your puppy busy.
- Treat Dispensing Dog Toy Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Lil’ Snoop Yellow Interactive Treat Dispensing Dog Toy, Small. The Orbee-Tuff Lil’ Snoop toy will keep your pups engaged as they sniff, paw, and play to retrieve the tasty rewards of a treat! I also put her food and treats in this toy, so fun!
- Training Treat Dispenser Toy: Diggs Blush Training Treat Dispenser Toy for Dogs – Reduces Anxiety and Stress, Made with Rubber in a Modern Style. I mash up some blueberries, and plain Greek yogurt and freeze it for a fun treat.
- Dino Plush Toy (shown in this blog post): goDog Bubble Plush Dragons Squeaky Dog Toy One of Bear’s favorite go-to toys even after two years. SOFT & DURABLE: goDog’s Dragons are cute and cuddly squeaky toys made with soft, bubble-textured plush that dogs love to play and cuddle with; featuring reinforced seams and chew-resistant lining for fun, long-lasting solo and interactive play
- Hide and Seek Squeaky Dog: Plush Toy, Rabbit and Carrot, Orange and white, 5 Pack Bear loves to find her treats inside the carrot and run around with the little bunnies.
Training
- Pee Pads: AmazonBasics Heavy Duty Pet and Puppy Training Pads These extra-large, super-absorbent pee pads were a lifesaver during Bear’s potty training days. They saved my carpets from numerous accidents and were easy to dispose of. I found these particularly useful for nighttime and rainy days when we couldn’t go outside.
- Crate Blanket: Burt’s Bees Baby – Reversible Blanket Bear loves to snuggle, and this super-soft blanket was her instant favorite. It’s easy to clean and provides a comforting sense of security for Bear during nights or travel.
- Crate: Amazon Basics – Durable, Foldable Metal Wire Dog Crate Crate training helped Bear feel secure and assisted in housetraining. This sturdy, spacious crate was easy to assemble, clean, and perfect for Bear’s size. Various sizes are available.
- Crate Mat: KROSER Dog Bed Crate Mat Great mat for Bear to relax and make the crate her comfortable and comforting cubby.
- Water Bowl: MidWest Homes for Pets Snap’y Fit Stainless Steel Food Bowl I use this in her crate and out of her crate. I have tried other water bowls and this is Bear’s fave. Snap’y Fit water and feed bowl features a patented design that holds the bowl firmly in place in its crate but still allows the bowl to easily be removed for cleaning.
- Harness: 2 Hounds Design Freedom No Pull Dog Harness Bear took to this harness like a fish to water! It’s easy to put on, adjustable and didn’t cause any chafing or discomfort. It gave me better control during our walks without restricting Bear’s movements.
- Collar: Blueberry Pet Soft & Safe 3M Reflective Neoprene Padded Adjustable Dog Collar A simple, sturdy collar for everyday use. It’s adjustable and has a quick-release buckle for convenience. It’s also a great place to attach Bear’s identification tags.
- Name Tag: Engraved Pet Tag for Dogs Round paw print dog/cat tags personalized solid stainless steel
- Poop Bags: Compostable Dog Poop Bag with Handles Eco-Friendly, unscented, Extra Thick, Leak Proof, for Dogs
- Cross-body Leash: Dog Hands Free Leashes by Heelay Ensure extra safety with a cross-body leash. 8.2ft Multifunctional Crossbody Rope with Explosion-Proof Handle and Adjustable Training Hands Free Leash for Small, Medium & Large Dogs Walking, Jogging and Running
- Training Treats: A Better Treat – Freeze Dried Beef Dog Treats, Grass Fed, Beef Liver Single Ingredient These bite-sized treats were perfect for training sessions. They’re made with one ingredient and are just the right size for rewarding Bear without overfeeding her.
Travel
- Car Seat: Dog Car Seats for Small Dogs Dog Booster Seat with Metal Frame Construction with Double-Layer Oxford, Perfect for Small Pets up to 20 lbs. Your dog will like car rides, or in Bear’s case, she doesn’t like car rides but does feel safe in this car seat, goes on road trips, and can lay down in it.
- Outdoor Blanket: Benevolence LA Authentic Handwoven Mexican Blanket This is Bear’s park, beach and camping blanket. Aztec blanket is unique, woven by local artisans in Tlaxcala, Mexico on a traditional wooden loom.
- Overnight Bag/Travel Bag: The Original Doggy Bag™ – Dog Travel Bag for Supplies We take this bag to daycare and overnight stays, camping, and traveling. Thousands call their pet travel kit a “must have” for every pet owner. Featuring a large storage bag, 2 large collapsible dog bowls with carabiners and 2 insulated dog food travel containers.
- Travel Crate: Diggs Revol Dog Crate (Collapsible Dog Crate, Portable Dog Crate Travel Dog Crate, Dog Kennel) for Small Dogs and Puppies. This is a bit pricey, but worth the cost when traveling.
- Stoller: Pet Gear No-Zip AT3 Pet Stroller for Dogs Bear injured her hind leg, and we needed to get around. Rubber wheels are ideal for all terrains and enjoyable walks. The less expensive versions have plastic wheels, which make a lot of noise even on the sidewalks.
Gentle Reminder
Have fun on your dog parent journey exploring puppy essentials. This is my list, and some items may not work for you, but I know some will and will get you started in the right direction. You don’t have to buy all of these puppy essentials at once, you can also bookmark and come back anytime to refer to this list for items needed. I will keep updating, too. Most of the products Bear has been using for two years.
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