New Puppy? You must read this!

When welcoming a new puppy into your home, there are several basic supplies you will need to ensure their comfort and well-being. Here are some essential supplies and an idea of average costs related to a new puppy:

1. Puppy cost: Depending on where you purchase your puppy from, you will pay varying amounts.
   
   You may get a puppy for free, buy one off a trading post or from a pound for ~$500, or purchase from a registered purebred breeder and pay many thousands (a typical average is around $5k for a purebred puppy in Australia).
   
   
   

2. Collar and leash: A collar with identification tags and a leash are necessary for walking your puppy and keeping them safe when outside. Remember that puppy will outgrow their first collar quite quickly, so it's recommended that you save the 'fancy ones' until they are full sized.
   
   Low-end leash and collars can be purchased for literally a few dollars (eg KMART), and range into the hundreds of dollars. An engraved ID tag is around the ballpark price of $15
   
   
   

3. Car harness (or crate): In Australia, dogs are legally required to be restrained inside of a moving vehicle. Invest in a GOOD quality car harness which has been crash tested, or a safety crate. A crash-tested crate is even better if you can splurge.
   
   KMART offer seatbelt harnesses for as low as $15, but a crash-tested harness is usually around the $100 mark. Soft crates for cars can be purchased anywhere from $50, while a crash-tested crate can be an investment of approximately $1k.
   
   
   

4. Food and water bowls: Provide separate bowls for food and water. Choose bowls that are appropriate for your puppy's size and easy to clean.
   
   Once again, KMART is a choice of many new pet owners as you can get some wonderful bargains such as bowls for under $10. Just like with everything pet-related, the range in costs varies significantly and can go into the hundreds of dollars for designer dog bowls from Tiffany and Co. Don't feel pressured to purchase bowls designed for pets though as you can quite easily use your own crockery. 
   
    

5. Puppy food: Consult with your veterinarian or breeder to determine the appropriate type and amount of puppy food for your specific breed or size. Start with a high-quality puppy food that meets their nutritional needs.
   
   Depending on the brand you choose and how much your pup weighs, the cost will differ. Be prepared to spend around $120 on a bag of decent dried food. Raw food is sold in smaller quantities, and is therefore less outlay to purchase each time but higher cost per meal. You probably want to start off with a selection of good quality training treats and longer lasting treats too as this will make training much more effective. Be prepared to spend a bt more for high quality products. An investment of about $50 should get you started! 
   
   

6. Bed or crate: Provide a comfortable bed or crate (or both) for your puppy to rest and sleep in. Crates can be helpful for house training and providing a safe space for your puppy, and puppy play-pens are recommended to keep your puppy confined when they cant be supervised.
   
   KMART has some fantastic low-cost bed options available, starting at around $40. You may however wish to use old towels as bedding for the first few months as these are so easy to clean. If you purchase a bed with stuffing, be prepared for the possibility of it being ripped to smitherines by a cheeky puppy... Crates are also available at KMART, but we do have a stronger preference for the more robust crates available from big-box retail stores like My Pet Warehouse or Pet Stock as they are much sturdier. These retail for about $90 to $200 depending on the size of your dog. They usually come with dividers to allow you to decrease the size of the living space while your pup is young. (this will help with toilet training). Playpens can be purchased for $50 to $200
   
   
   

7. Toys: Puppies need stimulation, and they need to be taught to self-settle and play on their own. Additionally, puppies need a healthy outlet to soothe sore gums or chomp off frustration, so its a wise idea to have some options at hand so your skirting boards remain intact. 
   
   Unlike many of our other recomendations, we do not recommend cheap toys. Quality is often overlooked with these toys as they are commonly considered 'consumables'. We instead recommend investing in quality toys which are safety tested, and can last a long time (if not, and entire lifetime). A handful of quality dog toys could set you back about $100. To address puppies chewing needs, there are options available such as "nylabones", but we much prefer offering them a more natural option and suggest some long-lasting treats such as goat horns, pigs ears, pig trotters, kangaroo necks, bully sticks, etc. It's important to point out that not all treats are equal... make sure to educate yourself on what to look for when buying treats.
   
   
   

8. Puppy pads and other toilet training supplies: If you plan to house train your puppy indoors, puppy pads or other indoor training supplies can be useful. Due to increased numbers of dogs in apartments, there are now multiple balcony based toileting options such as synthetic grass mats and even real grass mats. You also shouldnt forget about poop bags which you will liekly be using on a daily basis. 
   
   Buy pee pads in bulk as you will go through a LOT of them. You can snap up about 400 pads for $80 online. A more sustainable / environmentally conscious option of washable pads are now available... Our recommendation for practicality would be to use a combination of both options as there are some things you don't want going through your clothes washers!
   
   Fresh grass dog toilets cost around $40 per 'sod' which will need to be replaced weekly or fortnightly. Monthly subscriptions are offered, but believe us, it will not last! Synthetic grass toilets seem to be a more econimical and sustainable option here, and while they have a significant outlay ($200 - $600), there are no ongoing costs unless you count the special grass cleaner (which we actually strongly recomend to keep smell down).
    
   A special mention of poop bags... In recent years, more sustainable options have become available such as compostable or biodegradable. We are very grateful for this movement as traditional plastic poop bags can take 80-1000 years to break down!!! Please consider this when purchasing poop bags... it might be twice the cost, but its such a significant improvement to the environent to spend a bit more and support the environment. We estimate that you will go through a minimum of 30 rolls per year, more if you have a dog that poops a lot outdoors, however a cost saving option is to stock up on free biodegradable bags at the local dog parks 😂
   
   
   

9. Grooming supplies: Depending on your puppy's coat type, you may need a brush or comb for regular grooming. Nail clippers or a grinder, as well as ear cleaning solution and a toothbrush and toothpaste designed for dogs, are also necessary for their overall hygiene.
   
   Allow us to make a personalised recommendation for your medium or long coated breeds. Set aside about $30-$100 for a deent set of basic tools for home grooming. Short coated breeds obviously won't need much in the way of brushes or combs, but an average spend for the rest of the supplies needed will set you back around $20 - $100.
   
   
   

10. Pet-safe cleaning products: Accidents are bound to happen during the puppy's adjustment period. It's important to have pet-safe cleaning products on hand to clean up messes effectively and safely.
    
    You can quite easily make effective non-toxic cleaning supplies at minimal cost (using household supplies such as vinegar), but if you prefer dedicated cleaners, these can be purchased for $10 - $50 per bottle. KMART as an example has a very reasonably priced stain and odor cleaner, but it does take your breath away a little... we like Natures Miracle as an effective cleaner as it does a great job, isnt overpowering and is fairly priced. 
    
    
    

11. Veterinary essentials: Schedule an appointment with a veterinarian for a health checkup, vaccinations, and any necessary medications. Your vet may also recommend additional supplies such as flea and tick prevention, heartworm medication, or supplements.
    
    Average monthly cost for parasite prevention is $32 per month. If you are getting a young puppy, you will need to get two sets of vaccinations and a health check-up before the dog is 6 months of age with an average cost of around $400. 
    
    
    

Remember, every puppy is unique, and their needs may vary. It's always a good idea to consult with a veterinarian or experienced dog owners to ensure you have all the necessary supplies for your specific puppy's well-being and comfort.

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This article has been written by Rebecca Steele on 27/05/2023

This is based on current average pricing available on the Australian Market.