The Cost Of Bringing A New Pup Home

It is going to be one of the best days of your life, it certainly was mine! It isn’t a particular birthday, new year, or even your wedding. It is the day you get to bring home your newest family member! Yay!

Experienced dog parents know the drill. You simply cannot pick up a puppy and take it home without any preparations.

You’ll need many additional supplies to prepare for your new arrival, from cleaning solutions to pet supplies and food.

In this blog post, our team of dog-crazy lovers is going to list all the essentials you’ll need to welcome home your new friend, and additional costs associated with bringing home a new puppy.

1. Cleaning Products

Puppies will have potty accidents, LOTS of them. They will make a mess, and you can’t get mad. They can’t help it, and all you’ll be doing for the first few weeks, or even months, is quietly and calmly cleaning up after your pooch.

By having a well-stocked cleaning arsenal ready to go, you can make the initial growing pains of having an untrained pup in your house way easier.

Enzymatic cleaners are every dog owner’s best friend, after the dog of course! They attack odors and stains at the biological level to break down the nasty traces of organic waste like blood, pee, and poop in carpets, rugs, and flooring.
You’ll also need a strong vacuum cleaner. Even the most hypoallergenic dogs will shed, albeit minimally. Use a powerful vacuum with a HEPA-approved air filter, and your furniture and rugs will be forever grateful.
Dogs will pee over their own scent, so you’ll need to mask any potty accidents with odor removers or eliminators. Try as much as possible to buy only natural and organic ingredients without any harsh chemicals that could harm the sensitive systems of young pups.
Some optional items like doggy wet wipes and odor-controlling activated charcoal could also make life as a new dog parent a little more convenient.

2. Doggy Essentials

Now that you’ve got a handle on keeping your home clean, you’ll need a ton of doggy essentials to be used by your new best friend.

Food and Treats

Of course, your pooch needs some chow. Only buy top-quality food from reputable food brands. Low-quality food often contains cheap fillers like grain and soy, potentially triggering allergies. Puppies are going to do a lot of growth in their early months, and proper nutrition is more crucial than ever.

Same with treats. Buy only good quality treats and as tempting as it may be to spoil them, use treats sparingly or buy low-calorie snacks. A fat puppy isn’t a good idea!

Crate, Bed, or Bedding

If you are intending to crate-train your dog (which we highly recommend), you’ll need a crate that is suitable for the maximum size your dog will grow to.

Don’t bother getting a small crate only to upsize it in a few months. Simply get a large crate and use a divider to section the crate if it is too big for a young pup. To make the “home” more comfortable, use a dog bed or some old blankets for bedding.

A note of caution: Puppies LOVE to chew, so maybe save that expensive dog bed for later when the chewing stops.

Dog Bowls

Unless you can spare two old, non-breakable bowls from your kitchen, you’ll need a bowl for food, and another for water. Go for stainless steel, or if using plastic, ensure that it's BPA-free.

Leash, Collar, and an ID tag

Your pooch is going to need all of these. Buy an adjustable collar that will fit your dog even when fully grown.

Dental Chews and Toys

A bored puppy is a destructive one! Keep your pup entertained with loads of interactive toys to build cognitive thinking, and dental bones to keep those little puppy teeth cleaned and occupied, and hopefully, he’ll leave your shoes alone.

Poop Bags

You’ll need poop bags. Loads of them!

Try buying biodegradable bags that will break down in landfills and avoid using plastic that will not decompose.

Grooming Supplies

All dogs have different grooming needs, but at the very barest minimum, you’ll need a slicker brush for the coat, eye and ear cleaners, shampoo, and a doggy nail clipper or grinder.

3. Other Doggy Set Up Costs

In addition to these initial purchases, you’ll also need to factor in:

Vaccination costs for the first year
Vet bills if any medical emergency arises
Pet insurance
Puppy obedience or training
Spay or neuter costs
Microchip and licenses if necessary

Conclusion

Getting a pup home is merely the start, there are plenty of costs associated with having a pup! With some proper planning, you can ensure that the entry of your new family member into the household goes smoothly without a hitch.

Good luck!