As a responsible and reputable breeder, you will want to ensure that your puppies have the best possible start. Many breeders provide puppy packs with all the information that the new owners need to help their puppy settle and carry on with the vaccinations, training, and socialization that you have begun with each puppy. These puppy packs can help demonstrate professionalism and ensure a smooth transition for your puppies.
You may also want to provide a puppy supplies list for new owners to ensure good care. While some owners will not buy what is on your list, by providing the information, you are giving the new owner responsibility. So, what should be on a puppy supplies list?
The American Kennel Club (AKC) encourages breeders to send puppies to their new homes with a puppy pack. These are a great way to provide a smooth transition for the puppy into their new home. They can also help new owners clarify what they need, as there is conflicting advice online. Your list can help them focus on the essentials that you know will work for the puppies.
While including the puppy supply list in the pack is helpful and highly recommended, it might come too late. Sometimes, owners have already purchased a load of supplies, some of which might not be correct.
Therefore, you should also consider having the puppy supply list in other locations.
You could also post it on your website to help demonstrate that you are a knowledgeable and responsible breeder so new owners can have everything ready for their puppy in advance.
Or you can send them the list before they've made a final decision as to whether they make a purchase.
Here are some essentials that should be on every puppy supplies list. Do not be afraid to amend or add items that you feel are important and may be more specific to your puppy breed. You should also keep the list up-to-date and add items that you think are essential for new puppy owners to purchase!
On your list, let the new owner know what food you are currently feeding the puppies, how much they will need per meal, feeding frequency, and the best brand to purchase. These small details can be helpful for new puppy owners. In your puppy pack, you can also include a sample of the food. So, if the new owners decide to change the brand, they can do so gradually, reducing the possibility of any digestive issues. You can also include a feeding schedule. You can also advise on puppy treats.
New puppy owners will need to purchase comfort items, such as soft bedding and blankets, especially for nighttime. They may appreciate a soft toy that is puppy-safe. In your puppy packs, include a blanket with mum's scent on it to provide comfort for the puppy in the first few days away from their mum and littermates.
On a puppy supplies list, you should encourage new puppy owners to register with their local vets and book the next set of vaccinations. Advise them to maintain the good health practices you have already started. You can also advise them to have flea and worming treatments ready and advise on any particular brands that you have found to be particularly effective. You should include health tests and genetic results in the puppy pack alongside other certifications such as AKC registration and microchip details.
Provide information on the current schedule, including meal times, nap times, toileting, socialization and obedience work. Provide tips on training, how to continue, and advice on commands/rewards for their puppy, both inside the home and outside. Encourage new owners to attend puppy obedience classes. You can also offer some advice on typical challenges that might arise when the puppy goes to a new home. Provide steps on how to manage issues such as separation anxiety.
You might breed a specialist breed of dog that has niche grooming needs. If so, you will want to recommend suitable grooming supplies and equipment that you have found to be helpful. For standard coats, you might want to suggest a good shampoo brand and also hair and nail-cutting equipment.
On a Puppy supplies list, you will want to suggest various other essential items to purchase, such as a collar and ID tag. It is a legal requirement in many places that when the puppy is out, it has an ID tag with the owner's details on it. If the puppy becomes lost, it can be reunited with its family. You could advise on the size of the puppy collar. A new owner might find the options in the pet shop overwhelming! Poop bags are also an essential purchase, and you can also suggest some toys for enrichment, such as chew toys when teething.
Finally, you might want to suggest additional items that can help keep the puppy safe, especially in the home. Baby-proofing items can be useful for puppies! Such as baby gates and pens. You will also want to ensure there are no cables the puppy can chew on.
A puppy supplies list is helpful for new puppy owners. It will help the puppies settle into their new homes with everything they need to grow and thrive. It ensures new owners provide suitable care from the very beginning. It will also help you to demonstrate that you are a responsible and professional breeder. Keep it up-to-date as practices change and your product recommendations current. And consider feedback from other dog owners if they have good ideas for items to include on your Puppy supplies list!
14 July, 2025