Top 5 Products Every New Puppy Owner Needs

Getting a new puppy is one of the most exciting things in the world — and one of the most chaotic. In the first few weeks, you'll be dealing with potty training, teething, socialization, and the general whirlwind of having a small animal who needs constant attention. Having the right products on hand before your puppy arrives makes everything significantly easier.

These are the five products I wish I'd had from day one when I brought Mochi home.

1. Amazon Basics Puppy Pee Pads — Essential for Potty Training

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Amazon Basics Puppy Pee Pads, Regular (100 ct)

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Pee pads are non-negotiable for puppy owners. Even if your goal is to train your puppy to go outside, you'll need pads for nighttime, for times when you can't get outside quickly enough, and for the inevitable accidents during the early weeks of training.

The Amazon Basics pads are the #1 best-selling dog product on all of Amazon for a reason: they're large (22"x22"), highly absorbent, and leak-proof. The quick-dry surface keeps your puppy's paws dry, which encourages them to use the pad again. The adhesive strips keep the pad in place on hard floors.

Pro tip: Place pads near the door you want your puppy to eventually use to go outside — this makes the transition to outdoor potty training much smoother.

Price: $17.45 for 100 pads.

2. Earth Rated Poop Bags — You'll Need More Than You Think

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Earth Rated Poop Bags, Lavender Scented (270 ct)

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You will go through poop bags at an astonishing rate with a puppy. Puppies poop 3-5 times per day, and you'll need bags for every walk and every yard cleanup. Earth Rated's 270-count pack gives you enough to last several months without running out.

The lavender scent is genuinely helpful when you're dealing with puppy poop multiple times per day, and the extra-thick construction means you never have to worry about a bag failing at the worst possible moment.

Price: $13.85 for 270 bags.

3. Greenies Pill Pockets — For Giving Medications

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Greenies Pill Pockets for Dogs, Peanut Butter (Large)

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Puppies need a lot of medications in their first year: deworming treatments, flea and tick prevention, and potentially antibiotics if they get sick. Pill Pockets are the easiest way to give any pill — you just press the pill into the soft treat, pinch it closed, and your puppy eats it like a regular treat without ever knowing there was medication inside.

They work for 99% of dogs and 99% of medications. Having a bag on hand before you need them means you're prepared for whatever the vet prescribes.

Price: $15.49 for 30 pockets.

4. Crinkle Duck Squeaky Toy — For Teething and Play

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Best Pet Supplies Crinkle Duck Squeaky Toy (Large)

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Puppies need to chew — it's how they explore the world and how they relieve the discomfort of teething. If you don't give them appropriate things to chew, they'll find their own (usually your shoes or furniture). The Crinkle Duck is perfect for puppies because the crinkle sound and squeaker provide mental stimulation, and the soft material is gentle on puppy teeth.

It's also a great toy for the bonding process — playing fetch and tug with your puppy builds trust and teaches them to play appropriately with humans.

Price: $5.99.

5. Purina FortiFlora Probiotics — For Digestive Health

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Purina Pro Plan FortiFlora Daily Probiotics (30 ct)

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Bringing a puppy home is stressful for the puppy, and stress commonly causes digestive upset — loose stools, diarrhea, and stomach sensitivity. FortiFlora is the #1 vet-recommended probiotic for dogs, and giving it to your puppy during the transition period can significantly reduce digestive issues.

It's also useful whenever your puppy's diet changes (which will happen several times in the first year as you transition from puppy food to adult food) and whenever they're on antibiotics.

Price: $25.83 for 30 sachets.

What Else Do You Need?

Beyond these five essentials, you'll also need a crate (for safe confinement and crate training), a collar and leash, food and water bowls, and puppy food appropriate for your breed's size. But these five products address the most common challenges new puppy owners face in the first few weeks — and they're all available on Amazon with Prime shipping.