You’ve whelped, weaned, and cuddled him, and now it’s time for him to head to his forever home. To ensure a smooth transition, consider putting together a puppy pack. Puppy packs are a thoughtful way to help set both the puppy and his new family up for success. Here’s a quick checklist of essential items commonly included in puppy starter kits to get you started.

What Do You Put in a Puppy Package?

Reading Materials- Even though you may have gone over the ins and outs of puppy ownership with the new family, it always helps to have things written down. Providing reading material such as the My Puppy Guide or Your Pandemic Puppy book will ensure the new family knows how to handle housetraining, chewing and other common puppy behaviors. Make sure the new family is given reading materials that discuss the importance of vaccination before the puppy faces viruses carried by wildlife, feral cats or other dogs. It can also be helpful to send home breed-specific information so they know exactly what to expect from their newest family member. Some breeders put this information on a flash drive to send with the puppy. It helps cut down on paper clutter and has all the information in one place.

Paperwork- You’ve done a great job ensuring the puppy is up-to-date on vaccinations and deworming, so don’t let that information fall by the wayside. Use our Revival Health Records to record important health information about the puppy and pass that information on to the new owners. AKC papers and a health schedule are also necessary information for them to have. And don’t forget, if you’ve microchipped the puppy already, make sure the new owners are aware they need to register the microchip in their name.

Doc Roy’s^® GI Synbiotics Gel– Moving to a new home can be stressful for puppies and that added stress can result in loose stools. GI Synbiotics is a probiotic and prebiotic that helps promote overall digestive health and is recommended to minimize the potential for diarrhea. It works by supporting the growth of good bacteria and helps remove bad bacteria from the GI tract. It also helps promote a healthy immune system.

Doc Roy’s^® Forti Cal– Forti Cal helps prevent hypoglycemia issues and provides extra calories if he doesn’t eat well the first few days in his new home.

Familiar Toy or Blanket- A small child has their favorite stuffed animal for comfort and puppies are much the same. Sending a small blanket, the Snuggle Puppy or familiar toy such as a Classic Kong or a teething toy with the puppy can give that added comfort the puppy needs. It’s also helpful if these items have been around the puppy’s mom, so they have her scent on them as well.

BuddyID® BuddyBadge® Silicone Collar Tag– Ensure the pup can find his way home if he gets lost with this waterproof, jingle-free pet tag. Equipped with QR code technology, it allows anyone who finds the lost puppy to scan and access the owner’s custom digital profile, enabling direct contact with the owner. Additionally, this tag can be linked to the dog’s microchip for extra security.

Current Food- Sending along a one-week supply of the food you’ve been feeding the puppy is always a good idea. Since he will have so many new things that first week, it will be comforting to have some food he is familiar with. Suggest the new owners mix half of your food with half of the food they intend to use because switching foods too fast can cause digestive upset. It also helps to send along some of your water since the puppy will be used to the taste.

Breeder’s Edge Puppy Lyte– Sometimes the stress of moving to a new home can lead to loose stools. If this happens, an electrolyte supplement such as Breeder’s Edge Puppy Lyte can help maintain hydration and replenish electrolytes. Puppy Lyte™ has a chicken base flavor that puppies really like.

Healthy Treats or Chews- If the puppy has a favorite treat or one you’ve used for training, include a few samples to send with him!

Doc Roy’s^® Healthy Bones– Puppies don’t stay small very long, so make sure his new family knows what they need to do to help a fast-growing pup. A calcium supplement like Healthy Bones helps provide the nutrients the puppy needs to grow strong and healthy.

Breeder’s Edge^® Foster Care Canine or Feline– Adding a milk replacer to food helps with diarrhea issues and keeps pups eating through the transition.

Breeder’s Edge^® ID Me Take Me Home Collars and Leashes– A must-have for any new puppy owner!

 Foldable Food and Water Bowl- A foldable bowl or a small stainless steel bowl costs very little and is quite useful when traveling around to the vet, park, beach or anywhere away from home. It’s a cute little addition to your puppy packs that new owners will appreciate because of its usefulness.

Guarantee- If you offer a guarantee on your dogs, make sure to have it in writing and include a copy with each puppy pack. Clearly state what things could void the guarantee, such as taking them to a dog park too soon or any other stipulations you may have.

 A Personal Note or Card- Write a short letter to the puppy’s new family letting them know how much you believe in them and why you chose to give a puppy to them to care for.

Let the new family know they aren’t alone and if they have any new puppy questions, our Animal Care Specialists are always happy to help! If you’d like help putting together your personalized puppy care package to send home with your pups, give our Animal Care Specialists a call at 800.786.4751.