Congrats on your new furry best friend! We’re so excited for you!
Are you nervous? Worried you’ll forget something? Don’t stress yourself out—this new pet parent checklist for dogs has all the essentials, so you can focus on lovin’ your pup more and running to the store less.
(Skip to the bottom for the full list.)
Food and Food Accessories
Food
A dog’s gotta eat, so you gotta get ‘em food.
Some things to consider:
- Breed-specific foods*
- Chihuahua, Great Dane… and so on?
- Size
- Small, Medium, or Large dog?
- Weight of your dog
- Do they need to lose weight? Gain?
- Activity Level of Dog
- Will they be an endurance or sled dog and need more calories to perform?
- Age
- A puppy needs different food than an adult, who needs different food from a senior dog.
- Ingredients
- Ideally, the first item on the list should be meat!**
- Wet or dry food?
- History of Brand Recalls?
*It’s important to note that breed-specific foods may not be the best option, depending on the ingredients and overall quality of the food. Check reviews online before committing to breed-catered food.
**Ingredient lists are structured with the most present item listed first. If corn is first, then chicken, corn is more prevalent than meat. Also, consider crude protein—a highly active working dog would need different protein percentages than a puppy or a lazy apartment dog. (And we love them all the same!)
Just look for high-quality food, and try to avoid ones with lots of recent recalls. Dog Food Advisor lists more recent recalls for your reference.
As you should schedule a vet appointment after getting a new dog, you can consult them and ask for recommendations if you’re feeling overwhelmed. And remember that specialty dog stores often carry more brands than human grocery stores!
Pro Pet Parent Tip: Keep the dog food in its original package when buying a bag of kibble. Putting it into prettier, sturdier, or clear containers for scooping is tempting, but plastic easily harbors bacteria. If you want an upgraded container, put the whole bag in instead of pouring it out.
Treats
Not necessarily a requirement, but treats can make training much easier if you’ve got a food-motivated dog. They’re also good for crate-training, especially if smaller, as they wouldn’t cause too big of a mess.
Plus, we love our dogs. It’s okay to toss them something extra from time to time!
When feeding your dog treats, remember they contain calories too. Yes, even when given during training sessions or “just because.” This is more important for dogs who need to watch what they eat. Account for the calories when measuring out the bag-recommended batches of food.
Treats are pretty easy to save money on, too. You can make them at home, as needed, without paying a premium for packaging. If you’ve got a dog allergic to common treat ingredients (such as chicken or rice), this option may be safer, as you can control what goes into the morsels.
Try not to add extra salt or sugar, as dogs should avoid them for the same reason humans do… their teeth!
There are plenty of recipes online, from simple dollops of patté to aesthetic silicon molds. They often only need a rough chop, a good mixing, and a bake or freeze to set.
Most tend to be made of any mix of human-available meat, dairy (cheese, milk), peanut butter, and dog-friendly fruits and vegetables.
Then boom! It’s raining treats.
Dog Food Accessories
You’ve picked the food. Now, what do you put it in?
It’s really up to you when it comes to aesthetics.
Stainless steel is often said to be harder for bacteria to cling to, but you should be regularly washing your dog bowls anyway. Proper maintenance for the bowl you pick should be a priority, as it reduces bacteria that can irritate your dog’s gut and make them sick.
For a water bowl, I have a filtering system. I used to have a stagnant water bowl and would replace the water daily. This is also your preference, but water bowls need regular cleaning.
So, there’s no escaping cleaning forever. Unless your dog learns how to work the dishwasher or use soap.
Dog Food & Accessories List:
- Dog Food
- 2 Dog Bowls (food and water)
- (Optional) Mat
- (Optional) Dog bowl stand
- Dog treats
Crate
A crate is important for housetraining, boundaries, and keeping your dog safe. It also makes travel easier and is generally required for transportation like flights.
You should invest in a crate large enough for your dog. A crate too small will be uncomfortable (and torturous to get comfortable in), but too large of a crate can create room for your dog to hurt themselves.
Familiarize your dog with the new space. Being comfortable with staying in a crate for limited periods of time ensures that your dog isn’t eating something that’ll make them sick or otherwise harm them when you aren’t home.
It also acts as a sort of den or safe space. If the house is too loud during a party, fireworks are going off, or other stressors freak your dog out—they can retreat to the comfort of their mini bedroom.
Make sure you’re dressing up the crate with creature comforts like bedding, a blanket, toys that don’t require supervision, and maybe a snack. (Avoid too much, or they can soil the bedding!)
When giving a toy or snack, be wary of choking hazards, such as toys small enough to be swallowed but large enough to get lodged. Toys without holes or too small of a hole (their tongues can get stuck!) are also dangerous. Check online for examples of acceptable nighttime toys.
Creating positive associations will teach them the crate is no big deal. Sometimes, it’s a treat!
Dog Crate List
- Size-appropriate Dog Crate
- Dog Bed to fit the Dog Crate
- (Optional) A blanket for extra warmth 🙂
- (Optional) Bed-time appropriate toy
Bedding
As long as the bed is big enough, the bed generally… does its job. Some have preferences of super-puffy, covered with a blanket, or not, and with time you’ll learn to pick up on those quirks. All I can say is: cotton would be easier to clean of an accident than a fuzzy, furry one.
You can opt for better options—I have an orthopedic dog for my chihuahua, who was likely born with knee issues (I adopted him too late to know for sure)—or partially elevated beds.
Available on the market are washable beds, a great hack in case of potty training. You can either toss the whole thing in or remove a cover that can be plopped into the washing machine. Bye-bye mess.
If you find the perfect bed for your dog’s comfort, but it’s ugly… you can DIY a cover with a bedsheet of your choice. Make it check all boxes!
Dog Bed List
- Size-appropriate Dog Bed
- (Optional) Bed cover
- (Optional) Blanket
Dog Walking & Accessories
Time for…✨ fashion! ✨
The look is totally up to you, but there are some requirements… Most recommend a collar loose enough for two fingers to fit between it and your dog’s neck. A collar that is too tight can choke them, and one that’s too loose can get caught on objects (another suffocation hazard) or slip right off of them. There are several collars, but all should have a D-ring for securing a leash and your dog’s tag.
Even if you have an “inside dog,” get a dog tag. You never know when they’ll sneak off! I’ve seen them climb out of windows, over roofs, leap over fences (or dig under them), and dart behind their departing owner… a mischievous dog will find a way. Plan for the worst.
You may choose a harness for walks with your dog. Harnesses can reduce the “choking” cough of a dog pulling on their leashed collar, and is harder to fight out of.
I walk my seven-pound chihuahua on a harness with a handle for the specific reason that I want to be able to scoop him up with one hand in an emergency. Some harnesses also have molle or rings for hooking walking accessories (doggie bags, treats, a collapsable water bowl).
If you take your dog’s collar off in favor of a harness, I’d suggest a separate dog tag for each. That way, if you’re at a dog park with a Houdini of a husky, they’ll still have identification on them.
Your dog may also be microchipped—I’d keep a dog tag on them anyway, as it allows a non-vet entity who can’t scan a chip to contact you.
Weather Wear
Depending on your location, you’ll need to invest in…dog clothing. It doesn’t always have to be pretty, but it does have to be functional.
Get dog boots to protect your dog’s paws from burning if you’re in the city and around a net of roads, parking lots, and sidewalks. You wouldn’t want to walk around bare-footed on a scorching summer’s day, don’t make them!
If you’re adopting a dog and notice paw trauma such as dryness or cracking, paw balm may offer some relief. Check in with your vet if you notice particularly deep cracks or sores that may or may not bleed.
Some shoes can protect from more than heat. Broken glass or sharp rocks can be fended away by a sturdy dog boot. Many cities in the northern states lay down salt for deicing roads, which can be moved around by traveling cars. This ice/salt combination can seriously hurt a dog’s paw pads! If exposure occurs, wash carefully.
Soft shoes can come with traction pads. These rubbery soles can help your dog keep up its stability on slippery surfaces (and on that note, if you have glossy wood stairs… it might be time to buy a rug or other anti-slip padding).
Walk your dog with the proper gear, so they can enjoy the day as much as you do.
Doggie Bags and Waste Management
We all share this Earth, and all must do our part. Including picking up after our dogs.
As a pet parent, if you walk your dog or take them to the dog park, you’ll have to pick up their messes. It may suck, but it helps protect other dogs and humans from stepping in it and potentially getting sick.
Dog feces can kill plants through soil saturation and introduce domesticated illnesses or parasites into wildlife. It can soak into water systems too! Pick it up. Get rid of it!
There are eco-friendly options for Earth-conscious pet parents, so fret not.
However, if you genuinely cannot get over the thought of cleaning up after your dog, do it anyway, with the help of a handheld scooper. You line them with the bags and use them to “pinch” the mess up. Tie the bag, toss it, and you’re done.
You’ve got this!
Dog Walking & Accessories List
- Dog Collar
- Dog Harness
- Dog Leash
- Dog Tag(s)
- Doggie bags
- (Optional) Doggie bag holder
- (Optional) Doggie scooper
- (Optional) Dog boots and Paw Balm
- (Optional) Collapsable travel bowl
- (Optional) Cooling mat
Toys
Dogs need a lot of mental stimulation. They’re meant to sniff, scratch, tug, play!
Toys offer benefits both visible and invisible. Running after a ball for a game of “fetch” can get physical energy out, potentially reducing restless damage to furniture or possessions. A well-communicated game of tug can facilitate a deeper bond with your dog. A snuffle mat can feed your dog and give them a much-needed outlet for mental energy.
Chew toys, puzzles, tugging ropes, balls for fetch, squeaky toys, and plushes are some categories to consider. Flirt poles are also on the up-and-up (my dog loves them, I’d never seen him jump at a toy until getting him one!).
It’s important to try a few so you can figure out your dog’s favorite. Mega-chewers might do better with Kong or “indestructible” toy lines. A dog who favors plush toys might like the stuffed variations more (be careful of squeakers which can be easily accessed and swallowed by larger dogs).
Pick toys that are appropriate for your dog’s size and personality. You might start off with cheaper initial options until you know what your dog prefers or ignores. Review before buying, to see if anyone had any trouble with broken teeth, stuck tongues, swallowed bits, and so on.
If you have extra funds for your dog, you could subscribe to BarkBox which sends catered solutions to your dog until you know their favorite!
Pro Pet Parent Tip: Don’t use laser pointers with dogs! Doing so can lead to dog OCD (search Laser Pointer Syndrome).
Dog Toys List
- Chew toys
- Puzzles/Snuffle mats
- Balls
- Tug-of-war Rope
- Treat dispensers
Dog Fur and Nailcare
Dogs need help maintaining themselves, without or without a layer of mud in the way. You can either schedule with a local dog groomer, or do it yourself. If you want to save yourself the cash and don’t mind elbow grease, here’s what you’ll need:
Brushing & Bathing
A dog’s needs differ with coat type and length. A long-coated dog should be brushed regularly to avoid matting, which can pinch their skin. A regular bath can reduce instances of hot spots, “Frito” smells caused by bacteria, and improve skin and coat health.
I brush before and after a bath, with the first pass to dislodge loose fur and the aftermath to smooth away any strands I’d dislodged while scrubbing. A rag is useful to clean your dog’s face without partially drowning them (no one likes a deluge of water with no warning!).
Saturating your dog’s coat can be difficult at times. Try frothing up your shampoo in a small cup of water, and pouring over the intended section before working it into a lather. It’ll help it penetrate down to the root of longer-coated dogs.
You can air-dry or blow-dry—just be careful of your dog’s sensitive ears; try covering them.
A bath is also a good time to take care of their teeth and ears. I brush their teeth during the bath, even if it “isn’t time” (they should also have a regular dental routine). After a bath is a good time to clean their ears with an ear-specific solution. The bottle should direct you as to how to use it properly.
Dog Nailcare
One of the toughest, scariest parts of dog maintenance… the nails.
Clipping your dog’s quick is scary for us and painful for your dog, but it’s entirely possible to maintain your dog’s nails at home without hurting them.
Guides are available online with tips on how to safely cut their nails. You can also ask for guidance from a vet or professional dog groomer, or simply have them do it for you. If you’ve got a sensitive dog that won’t allow cutting, sedation may be required—you’ll have to leave that to the pros.
At home, though, you can use electric files or manual clippers. Manual clippers can give you angled control but put pressure on the quick if not handled correctly. Electric files rotate at high speeds to grind down the claw—be careful of the tool overheating itself or the dog’s nail. It can take longer to get the same amount of claw removed.
You could also use both. I smooth down the nail after clipping it into shape.
Recently, scratch pads have become more popular. You can teach your dog to “dig” on the sandpapery square, which wears down their nails over time. Regular walks on rough surfaces like the road also wear it down naturally.
Brushing and Bathing List:
- Dog brush, dog comb
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Doggie perfume/cologne
- Ear cleaner
- Dog Toothbrush & Toothpaste, Dental gel, and/or Water additives
- Dog nail clippers or file (electric or manual)
Complete New Pet Parent Dog Checklist:
- Dog Food
- 2 Dog Bowls (food and water)
- (Optional) Mat
- (Optional) Dog bowl stand
- Size-appropriate Dog Crate
- Dog Bed to fit the Dog Crate
- (Optional) A blanket for extra warmth 🙂
- (Optional) Bed-time appropriate toy
- Size-appropriate Dog Bed
- (Optional) Bed cover
- Dog treats
- Dog Collar
- Dog Harness
- Dog Leash
- Dog Tag(s)
- Doggie bags
- (Optional) Doggie bag holder
- (Optional) Dog boots and Paw Balm
- (Optional) Collapsable travel bowl
- (Optional) Cooling mat
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Doggie perfume/cologne
- Ear cleaner
- Dog Toothbrush & Toothpaste, Dental gel, and/or Water additives
- Dog brush, dog comb
- Dog nail clippers or file (electric or manual)
Seems like a lot, huh? Well, it is, but fortunately, a lot of these won’t need frequent replacing. And if your dog outgrows them, you can do a good-karma solid by donating them to local animal rescues. It’s like giving to the dogs that don’t have a loving parent like you (yet).
Just take comfort in knowing that no matter what happens, dogs have a lot of forgiveness in them. Don’t stress yourself out too bad, you’re gonna do great.
Pet Parent Pointers 
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