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Puppy starter kit: the complete list to tick off
Everything a puppy genuinely needs in a new home — in the order it will be needed. Tick things off as you go; the list saves in your browser.
The Prizo team Updated: July 23, 2026
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Your starter kit
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Before your puppy arrives
Get these before pickup day — the first days will be too intense for shopping trips.
Common dilemma: Dry or wet?
To start with — exactly what your puppy already knows. Ask the breeder for the name and a few days' supply.
Common dilemma: Playpen or crate?
For most homes a playpen or a gate across one room is enough. A crate needs calm, patient training — it is never for locking a dog away as punishment.
Day one
First walk, first training — this stage starts working immediately.
Common dilemma: Collar or harness?
For learning to walk, a light harness is better: it doesn't press on the neck when the puppy pulls. The collar has a different job from day one — it's what carries the ID tag.
The first week
Grooming habits and formalities — no rush, but no postponing either.
Peace of mind
The things people usually remember only once they're needed.
The first night — what to expect
It's the first time in your puppy's life sleeping away from mum and littermates. Crying on the first night — and a few after it — is normal, not a sign you're doing something wrong. A blanket that smells of the breeder's home does more here than most gadgets from the shop.
For the first nights, put the bed or playpen next to your own bed — hearing your breathing calms a puppy down. Move it to its final spot gradually, after a few days. And plan for one night-time toilet break: a young puppy usually can't hold it all night. One quiet trip — no play, no bright lights — will save your training pads and your nerves.
When does it settle? Most puppies find their night rhythm within one to two weeks. If the crying turns into panic or doesn't ease as days pass, a behaviourist or your vet is a better address than internet forums.
What NOT to buy at the start
The shop will happily sell you everything. These can wait — or shouldn't land in the basket at all:
- Prong and choke collarsNot for a puppy. Full stop.
- A retractable (flexi) leadIt teaches pulling and makes walk training harder. It can come back once your dog walks nicely on a loose lead.
- An expensive premium bedThe first bed will lose to puppy teeth. Invest once the chew-everything phase has passed.
- A dozen toys at onceThe puppy will pick two anyway. Rotating 2–3 toys works better and costs less.
- Clothes "for later"Puppies grow far too fast to buy ahead. If clothes turn out to be needed — buy the right size then.
How much does a puppy starter kit cost?
Realistically: from about 450 zł done sensibly, up to about 1,200 zł at the premium end. Rough ranges (July 2026):
| Bowls, bed, playpen or gate | 150–400 zł |
| Harness, lead and ID tag | 80–250 zł |
| Food for the first month | 100–250 zł |
| Hygiene and grooming | 60–150 zł |
| Chews, toys and treats | 60–150 zł |
| Total | approx. 450–1,200 zł |
Vet costs (vaccinations, microchipping) come on top — per your clinic's price list.
Frequently asked questions
When should I have the starter kit ready?
Ideally a week before pickup. The first days with a puppy are too intense for shopping runs, and some items — the carrier, bowls, food — are needed on arrival day itself.
What will the breeder send the puppy home with?
A good breeder often sends a supply of the current food and a blanket that smells of the litter — both make the start much easier. Ask ahead; the rest of the list is still on you.
Collar or harness for a puppy?
For walk training — a light, adjustable harness that doesn't press on the neck. The collar is useful from day one in a different role: it's what carries the ID tag with your number.
Dry or wet food for a puppy?
Change nothing at the start: feed what your puppy ate at the breeder's and introduce new things gradually. The long-term choice is worth discussing with your vet at the first visit.
How much does a puppy starter kit cost?
Roughly 450–1,200 zł depending on the price range — excluding vet costs. The biggest items are the bed with a playpen, and food.
Does a dog need an ID tag if it has a chip?
Yes — they are two different safety layers. A chip can be read by a vet or a shelter, but a passer-by only sees the tag. An ID tag with a phone number shortens the way home to a single call.
Prizo Portrait Smart Tag
Tick off the ID tag in style
A metal ID tag with your puppy's portrait and a QR code, connected to a digital passport with Lost Mode. Beautiful every day — invaluable the day your dog goes missing.
Puppy doesn't have a name yet? Try the name generator