Adopting a New Dog Checklist for 2024 | Reviews by Wirecutter

By Kaitlyn Wells

Adopting a dog doesn’t just involve picking a pooch, filling out paperwork, and knowing where the closest dog parks are. You also have to prepare your home to be their home—and to get them home safely. Having just a few essentials ready before they arrive—such as a harness, a leash, and bowls for food and water—can go a long way toward easing the adjustment period for both you and your new furry friend.

There are also some things that many dogs need but aren’t essential on day one. Anxious dogs may need a crate to make them feel safe, and nosy dogs could use a baby gate to prevent them from going where they shouldn’t. There are other important things that you’ll need to get at your adoption center or veterinarian, including your new dog’s shots and a microchip.

This carrier stands out for its almost fully machine-washable design, as well as its good ventilation, security, and privacy features.

When you pick up your new pup, you’ll need a safe way to get them home. To prevent your pooch from being injured—or injuring you—in transit, you should strap them in with a travel carrier or a restraint harness. For smaller dogs and puppies, we like the SturdiBag Pro 2.0 because it’s well ventilated and features a unique, flexible rod frame that makes it excellent for car trips. (Make sure to place the carrier on the floor behind the car’s front seat; that’s the safest location.) This carrier can also likely be squeezed under many airplane seats (depending on the airline and aircraft). And it’s the only carrier we tested whose outer shell can be safely machine-washed, along with the cushioned bedding insert.

The only crash-tested harness with certification from the Center for Pet Safety, this model comes in four sizes, for dogs with chest sizes up to 40 inches. It’s not suitable for dogs who weigh less than 18 pounds.

If your dog is too big for a carrier, a restraint harness will keep them secure in the car. The Sleepypod ClickIt Sport Plus has a five-star crash-test rating from the Center for Pet Safety, which independently certifies pet carriers and harnesses for crash resistance. The Sleepypod also has reflective stripes on the sides and metal D-rings, so it can serve as a walking harness for potty breaks on the road. But multiple buckles and loops can make a harness tricky to get on your pup, so most owners may prefer a walking harness for everyday use. (See our recommendation, below.)

For more information, read our full guide to travel carriers for pets and our other pet gear guides.

Available in five colors and four sizes, the reflective Orvis collar can be embroidered with your pet’s name and your phone number, so your dog is identifiable even if their tags fall off.

The Orvis Reflective Dog Collar can be customized with up to 28 letters and/or numbers that are embroidered onto the collar in a black sans-serif font. So if your dog’s tags ever fall off, someone can still contact you. The Orvis collar is also brightly reflective, which is great for nighttime walking. It’s available in eight colors and comes in a range of sizes to fit most dogs (with necks from 10 to 25 inches around). And the company offers a satisfaction guarantee, so you can always replace the collar (minus shipping costs) if the embroidery frays or the buckle cracks.

For more information, read our full guide to dog collars.

This dual-clip, head-in harness is sturdy yet light enough that it won’t weigh your dog down. It has several built-in safety details and fits most dogs weighing 5 to 100 pounds, but it might be too bulky for some smaller dogs.

Although a collar is great for holding tags, you shouldn’t attach a leash to it. When a dog pulls on a collar, it can put too much pressure on their neck, and this can cause long-term health problems. Harnesses distribute force more evenly across your pet’s body; they’re also much harder to slip out of and less likely to snap. And harnesses with chest leash attachments, like the Ruffwear Front Range Harness, can help prevent your dog from pulling during walks. (It also has a back attachment.) This head-in harness is lightweight, yet it keeps its form, and it doesn’t twist or slip around on a dog’s body like other models we tested (an issue that can be caused by subpar design or low-quality materials). It’s lightly padded but not bulky, and it features safety extras, like reflective stripes, and an ID pocket to store your dog’s tags.

For more information, read our full guide to dog-walking harnesses.

This tough, sturdy leash has a second handle closer to the clasp, to give you more control over your dog’s movements when it counts. The leash also comes with a lifetime warranty.

Every dog caretaker needs a leash to escort their pooch from one location to another. It’s safer for them, and most cities require dogs to be leashed in public areas. An adoption service may provide a leash, but it probably won’t be a good one. We recommend coming prepared with the Max and Neo Double Handle Heavy Duty Reflective Leash. It’s made of durable nylon, and Max and Neo offers a lifetime warranty. The 6-foot lead has two padded handles, one at 19 inches from the clasp and one at the end. The neoprene padding prevents chafing and blisters on your hands if your dog is a puller, and the handle near the clasp gives you more control over your dog’s movements.

For more information, read our full guide to everyday dog leashes.

This rubber curry brush is comfortable to hold and is gentle on a pet’s skin.

The slicker brush gently removes loose dirt and detangles fur without hurting your pet, and the retractable bristles make pulling hairballs off the brush a breeze.

The stainless steel teeth make quick work of brushing out a dog’s undercoat, and the skin guard ensures the teeth won’t dig into a pet’s skin.

Brushing out your pet’s fur detangles it, removes some dirt, and gives you and your best pal a chance to bond over something that isn’t that slice of pizza resting precariously on the kitchen counter. We like the Four Paws Magic Coat Curry Brush for dogs with smooth, short coats (like boxers), who should be brushed weekly. For pets with longer coats that mat easily, the Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush will help detangle fur, and it won’t get clogged with hairballs, thanks to the retractable bristles. The FURminator Undercoat deShedding Tool has a quick-release hair button, and it works wonders for double-coated breeds. Professional groomers advise against cutting out mats because it’s easy to injure your pet. Instead, treat the fur like human hair, and hold it below the mat, separate it into smaller sections, and brush it out as you normally would.

For more information, read our full blog post on how to groom your pet.

This clipper is sharp, affordable, and the right size for most dogs.

It’s important to trim your pup’s nails every month or so. If you fail to trim them regularly, their nails can become overgrown and may make walking difficult. Over time your dog’s nails will keep growing, curl under, and get embedded in their paw pads. To save a few bucks at the groomer, it’s worth learning how to trim your dog’s nails. Plus, sensitizing them to clippers and touching their feet will work wonders for training, socialization, and scary trips to the vet. The Millers Forge Professional Nail Clip cuts cleanly, consistently, and comfortably right out of the box. During our testing, this clipper cut through dozens of bamboo skewers without losing its edge or hurting our hands (which couldn’t be said of other popular options we tested). When testing the finalists on our two dogs (weighing 50 pounds and 15 pounds), we found that the Millers Forge clipper produced the quickest, neatest trim and was the least stressful for both our pets and ourselves. Also, staffers have reported that this clipper’s blades have held up well after years of use. It comes in sizes for small/medium dogs and large dogs.

For more information, read our full guide to dog nail clippers.

These poop bags are tough, thick, and made with 65% postconsumer recycled plastic.

After your dog poops outside, you’ll need a way to pick up the mess, even if the mess is in your own yard. Dog waste can contain parasites that might damage your lawn, spread disease, and contaminate water supplies. We like the Earth Rated Poop Bags because they hold up well in grass and on pavement, they separate from the roll easily at the indicated perforation, and they feel thicker than many of the bags we tested. While no bag can truly mask the stench, the unscented versions of these bags do a decent enough job at suppressing odors.

For more information, read our full guide to dog poop bags.

We recommend stainless steel or ceramic dog dishes because they’re easier to clean and don’t harbor bacteria buildup like plastic bowls do. Dr. Ken Tudor of PetMD recommends picking a food dish that’s shallow enough for your dog’s tongue to reach the bottom, wide enough for their snout to fit in, and big enough to hold a meal’s worth of kibble—but not much larger than that. If you’re not sure how much your dog should be eating, here’s a formula that can help you figure it out. But you’re best served by asking your vet and referencing the feeding guidelines on your dog’s food.

The Bella Bowl comes in three sizes, to accommodate dogs large and small. It has a stainless steel interior, a plastic exterior, and a nonskid base. And it’s dishwasher-safe.

A water bowl should hold enough water that you need to refill it only every 24 to 36 hours. Since dogs drink 20 to 40 milliliters of water per pound of body weight, a 10-pound dog should do okay with a 20-ounce bowl, while a 20-pound dog needs a 40-ounce bowl. In our own homes, we like the colorful Loving Pets Bella Bowls Pet Bowl, which is dishwasher-safe. It comes in three sizes, for small or large dogs, and it has a removable, no-skid bottom.

This large, stainless steel bubbler fountain minimizes plastic, and most of its parts are dishwasher-safe.

If your pets drink a lot, the Pioneer Pet Big Max Stainless Steel Drinking Fountain is a large-capacity model that can accommodate big dog slurps and multiple drinkers at one time. The Big Max’s tank and tower are stainless steel, so it’s simple to take apart and throw in the dishwasher. The wide, uncovered bowl is easy to top off between cleanings, and this fountain has one of the longest power cords of all the models we tested. Its negative reviews center on anecdotal reports of pump failures, but this is pretty common for the category.

For more information, read our full guide to pet water fountains.

Nice and cozy, easy to wash, and a snap to restuff, this cuddler-style bed cradles your dog no matter how weirdly they sleep.

Just like humans, dogs need a bed to call their own. A comfy bed is not only a place to sleep but also somewhere they can retreat to if they no longer feel like socializing. And it serves as a home base to center training on. The Majestic Pet Products Suede Bagel Dog Bed has raised bolsters around the entire perimeter that support your dog no matter which way they turn. And it’s easy to clean: The smaller sizes fit in the washing machine, and the larger ones have a removable, machine-washable cover. We also have picks for hotter climates and other situations.

For more information, read our full guide to dog beds.

For house-training pups or incontinent dogs, these reusable pee pads can contain messes and help minimize waste.

Potty pads are large, absorbent sheets that dogs can use indoors to do their business without leaving puddles in your home. They make great housebreaking aids and serve as regular bathroom spots for older dogs who can’t hold it long enough between walks. We like Peepeego Non-Slip Dog Pads, available in nine sizes, including one that can cover a couch. Kooltail Washable Pee Pads for Dogs are another staff favorite, available in seven sizes and four plaid colors. If you want to buy traditional disposable pee pads, Petco and Chewy each offer their own in-house brands at decent prices, and Costco has a good deal on its Kirkland Signature Extra-Large Absorbent Pads. You can also lurk in your local buy/sell/trade Facebook groups to find free leftover pee pads that your neighbors might be giving away.

The sturdiest and most escape-resistant crate we found, this model folds and transports easily. And it comes in several sizes, for dogs up to 110 pounds.

A crate gives dogs a protected space to call their own, which can help some pups feel calmer and more secure. For others, a crate can make house training easier because a dog is less likely to make a mess in the same space they’re resting in. We like the MidWest Ultima Pro Double Door Folding Dog Crate because it’s made of a thick wire grid that’s tough enough not to bend or break if your dog tries to escape. The crate also has a leakproof plastic pan that your dog won’t be able to shift easily. The MidWest crate comes in five sizes (from 24 to 48 inches long) to accommodate pets weighing up to 110 pounds, and it collapses for easy storage and transportation. If you do get this model or a similar crate, take care to remove your dog’s collar before putting them inside, to reduce the risk of entanglement (advice we embarrassingly forgot while shooting the photos for our review).

For more information, read our full guide to dog crates.

Our top pick for babies is also great for containing pets. This sturdy, hardware-mounted gate is easy to install (even where you don’t have studs directly across from each other). And it’s easy for humans to open, but difficult for dogs.

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A gate gives your dog the freedom to move around your home while also keeping them from exploring some rooms (such as the kitchen or home office). The Cardinal Gates SS-30 Stairway Special is the best gate for keeping dogs, less-mobile cats, and infants restricted within your home. It’s easy to install and can be opened with just one hand, yet it’s very difficult for pets to unlatch. Because it’s made of metal, this gate is durable. And this gate’s hardware-mounted design makes it more secure than pressure-mounted gates, so it will do less damage to your walls.

For more information, read our full guide to dog gates.

Throwing around a dog toy is a great way to bond with your pet and give them some extra exercise. And when you’re away, toys help dogs satisfy the need to chew, whether they’re teething or just bored. We’ve rounded up some of our own pups’ favorite toys in our dog toys guide. These include a ball that’s tougher, bouncier, and more buoyant than a traditional tennis ball (Chuckit Ultra Ball); a squeaker toy that’s inaudible to human ears (Hear Doggy ultrasonic squeaker toys); a tough chew stick made of yak and cow milk (Himalayan Dog Chew); and a family of stuffed squirrels (Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel). We recommend that you purchase a few different styles so your new pup can decide what type of toy they like. Plus, you two will have plenty of fun evaluating the toys together.

For more information, read our blog post on dog toys.

Accidents happen, and our all-purpose cleaner pick helps you clean them up quickly.

Even if your new dog is housebroken, accidents will still occur as they settle into their routine. To clean up these pet messes, you will need an all-purpose cleaner. The Clorox Free & Clear Multi-Surface Spray Cleaner can handle grimy kitchen and bathroom messes, so it can also tackle urine accidents. This spray cleaner also has a third-party certification from the Environmental Protection Agency, so it should be less harsh than many other cleaners.

For more information, read our full guide to surface cleaners.

Print a copy of this checklist (PDF) to keep on hand, so you will be sure to have everything you need before heading out to pick up your new pup.

Kaitlyn Wells

Kaitlyn Wells is a senior staff writer who advocates for greater work flexibility by showing you how to work smarter remotely without losing yourself. Previously, she covered pets and style for Wirecutter. She's never met a pet she didn’t like, although she can’t say the same thing about productivity apps. Her first picture book, A Family Looks Like Love, follows a pup who learns that love, rather than how you look, is what makes a family.

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