Bringing a puppy home for the first time is half excitement, half pure chaos. Short videos (Shorts, TikTok, and the like) flood you with adorable dog gadgets, but the things you actually need in that first week are a different story. Based on the most-viewed dog content and the items new puppy parents search for most, here are just the top 10 priorities.
1. Food — Stick With What They Already Ate
A puppy in a new environment gets stressed, and that hits their stomach first. For the first week, the right move is to keep feeding the exact same food they ate before. If you want to switch foods, do it gradually over 1–2 weeks by mixing it in, and you'll avoid diarrhea. 👉 Puppy Food
2. Pee Pads — Buy Plenty
The first week comes with a lot of accidents. The key to potty training is laying pads around the house and praising every success. Stock up on a large supply. 👉 Pee Pads
3. Water & Food Bowls — Non-Slip
Stainless steel or weighted bowls are more hygienic and harder to tip over. An automatic water dispenser is great for keeping the water fresh. 👉 Dog Bowls
4. Harness & Leash — A Harness Over a Collar
To protect a young puppy's delicate neck and windpipe, a harness is safer than a collar. Practice putting it on at home before their walking debut. 👉 Dog Harness
5. Crate (Den) — A Space of Their Own
A crate isn't a place to lock them away—it's a safe base where they can retreat and hide. Getting them comfortable with it from day one also goes a long way toward preventing separation anxiety.
6. Bed & Cushion — A Place to Sleep
A cozy sleeping spot helps a puppy adjust to a new home faster. Choose something that's easy to wash.
7. Toys — An Outlet for the Urge to Chew
Puppies in the teething stage have a strong urge to chew. Letting them burn energy with snuffle and tug toys can cut down on chewed-up furniture. 👉 Dog Toys
8. Poop Bags & Pet Wipes
Must-haves for walks and indoor cleanup. From the first week, you'll grab them out of habit.
9. Nail Clippers & Basic Grooming Tools
Long nails ruin a dog's posture and gait. Have a small nail clipper and a brush ready in that first week.
10. Playpen (Gate) — Create a Safe Zone
Block off danger zones like cords and stairs to prevent accidents. Controlling their roaming area also makes potty training easier.
First-Week Priority Summary
What you need right on day one is items 1–3 (food, pee pads, bowls) and item 5 (the crate). The harness (4) and toys (7) can wait until day two, and you can gather the rest gradually over the first week. Rather than buying everything at once, you'll make fewer mistakes if you add things as you get to know your puppy's personality.
This article is a general guide. For anything related to health or diet, follow the advice of your breeder/shelter or veterinarian first.
If you're curious about the trending dog-category videos and popular items right now, you can check them out on the Live Trends page.