The Best Puppy Starter Kit Under $150: A Complete New-Puppy Checklist
A complete new-puppy checklist that fits under $150. What to buy before pickup day, what to skip, and the gear that earns its place for a first-time owner.
Bringing a puppy home is exciting and a little overwhelming, and the shopping list is where most new owners either overspend or forget the one thing they needed at 2 a.m. This is a no-waste starter kit that covers the true essentials and comes in under $150 for a small or medium breed. It leaves out the cute extras you can add later once you know your puppy.
We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.
Prices move and vary by size and brand, so treat the ranges below as planning numbers rather than quotes. For a printable version and a first-week plan, start with our new owner start-here checklist.
In this guide
The must-haves before pickup day
These are the items you want in the house before your puppy arrives, not the day after.
1. A crate with a divider (~$35 to $50)
A single wire crate with a movable divider is the backbone of the whole kit. It doubles as a bedroom, a potty-training tool, and a safe spot when you cannot supervise. Buy for your dog's adult size and use the divider to shrink the space while they are small. Our best puppy crate guide has the size math, and you can scan wire crates with dividers on Amazon.
2. Puppy food (~$20 to $35)
Start with the exact food your breeder or shelter was feeding, then transition slowly if you want to switch. A sudden diet change plus a new home is a recipe for an upset stomach. See how to read a label in the best puppy food guide, or browse complete-and-balanced puppy formulas.
3. Food and water bowls (~$10 to $15)
Stainless steel or ceramic bowls are easy to clean and do not harbor odor the way cheap plastic can. If your puppy inhales meals, a slow-feeder bowl is a worthwhile swap. Look at stainless steel dog bowls.
4. Collar, ID tag, leash, and harness (~$25 to $35)
A flat collar carries the ID tag from day one. A standard 6-foot leash and a front-clip harness make early walks manageable without putting pressure on a puppy's throat. Fit and adjustability matter more than looks on a fast-growing pup, which the best puppy harness guide explains. Compare adjustable puppy harnesses.
5. Training treats (~$8 to $12)
Small, soft, low-calorie treats are the currency of the first month. You will use dozens a day for potty training and name recognition, so buy treats you can break tiny. The best puppy training treats guide covers how to reward without overfeeding. Browse soft training treats.
6. Potty supplies (~$15 to $25)
Even if your goal is outside-only, pee pads and an enzyme cleaner save your floors during the learning weeks. Get an enzyme cleaner specifically, not a general spray, because only enzymes break down the odor that draws a puppy back to the same spot. See the best puppy pee pads guide and pick up an enzyme pet stain and odor cleaner.
7. A couple of safe chew toys (~$10 to $20)
Teething puppies chew whether or not you provide an outlet, so give them a legal one. A tough rubber chew and a soft plush cover most pups. Look at durable puppy chew toys.
A sample under-$150 build
Here is one way the numbers add up for a small or medium puppy:
| Item | Planning cost |
|---|---|
| Wire crate with divider | $45 |
| Puppy food (first bag) | $28 |
| Stainless bowls | $12 |
| Collar, tag, leash, harness | $30 |
| Training treats | $10 |
| Pee pads + enzyme cleaner | $20 |
| Two chew toys | $15 |
| Total | ~$160 list, ~$140 with a sale or two |
Watch for multi-item pet deals and you will land under $150 comfortably. Large-breed owners should budget a bit more for a bigger crate and food bag.
What you can skip for now
New owners waste money on gear the puppy outgrows or never needs. Hold off on:
- A fancy raised or orthopedic bed. A washable mat or a folded towel in the crate is safer while chewing is at its peak.
- Cute outfits and bandanas. They are for you, not the puppy.
- A full grooming station. A brush and puppy shampoo are plenty until the first real bath.
- An automatic feeder. You want to control and watch early meals yourself.
Add these later once you know your dog's size, coat, and habits.
The buyer takeaway
The essential seven cover sleep, food, walks, training, potty, and chewing, and they fit under $150 for most puppies. Buy the crate and harness for adult size so you do not repurchase, start with the food your puppy already knows, and get a true enzyme cleaner rather than a general spray. Then stop. You can add comfort items once your puppy has settled in. For the full first-week plan that uses this kit, head to the start-here checklist.
Questions owners ask
Get the free New-Puppy Checklist
Put the whole first month on one page — supplies, setup, and the routine that keeps training on track.
Get the Free Checklist