Bringing a new dog into your household is not a minor financial decision. For one of my pets, I’ve spent about $10,000 over its lifetime, and I was honestly surprised by some of the bills when I rescued him at age 21.
If you’ve confirmed you can afford to adopt a dog (beyond the adoption fee) and you’ve found the right pup for your home, you should buy and stock several essentials in your house before picking up your new four-legged family member from the shelter.
So what should you buy? What can you skip? And what will it cost? I talked with Phyllis Stewart, a longtime volunteer at Franklin County Dog Shelter (FCDS) in Columbus, Ohio, to get guidance.
Dog Crates
“The most essential item for a new dog is a crate,” Stewart says. “It can be purchased new, secondhand or borrowed, since it might not be required long-term. A crate helps with house-training, nighttime sleeping, separation anxiety and keeping both the dog and your home safe when you’re away.”
If you borrow one, it won’t cost anything. By contrast, I paid $150 for a crate for my 150-pound Great Dane.
That said, you don’t have to buy a bed for the crate immediately.
“I usually advise new adopters to wait to buy a dog bed until they know whether the dog chews or shreds things,” Stewart says. “Use old towels and blankets in the crate until they’re settled.”
Total Cost: $0 – $150
Food
You should also have food on hand before bringing your new dog home. There’s no need to splurge on the most expensive formulas, though.
“Don’t buy bargain-basement food, but pricey specialty formulas aren’t necessary either, unless your vet recommends them for medical reasons,” Stewart advises. “Choose a solid mid-range food, and opt for a puppy formula if the dog is under eight months old.”
Food costs vary by bag size (bigger bags cost more but offer greater value per pound) and brand. Daily Treat’s look at good deals for mid-range grain-free dog food found Purina Beneful Grain Free to be the top value. A 12.5-pound bag runs about $14 on Amazon.
You’ll also need dishes for food and water.
“Heavy ceramic bowls work well for water because they are hard to tip,” Stewart says.
A reasonable set is available on Amazon for about $22.
Stewart also recommends treats for training. Have a bag ready for initial lessons. These cost around $5 at a pet store (or you can make treats yourself at home).
Total Cost: $41
Pet Care
Stewart suggests keeping a grooming brush on hand since you’ll likely want to bathe your dog soon after adoption.
She notes that soft-bristle brushes are best for short coats to massage the skin and distribute oils for shine, while brushes with long metal pins help prevent matting in long-haired dogs. You can find dog brushes on Amazon for under $10.
Other grooming supplies to have include nail clippers ($10 pair) and shampoo ($6 bottle). For nail care, Stewart prefers scissor-style clippers over guillotine types, but if trimming makes you uneasy, expect to pay about $10 to $15 every month or two for a groomer to handle it.
Total Cost: $26
Toys and Miscellaneous
Toys are useful to welcome your dog when it arrives. Stewart recommends investing in quality since better-made toys last longer and save money over time. Suggested toys includeKongs for treats ($10),Nylabones ($9) andknotted rope toys ($9).
Use two balls when teaching fetch: the dog only earns the second ball after bringing back the first. No need to buy special ones — regular tennis balls you already have will work fine.
Regarding the collar and leash, you might not need to purchase them. Many shelters, including Stewart’s, supply these items with the adoption.
“I’d advise adopters to ask their shelter if they provide one and what size is needed,” Stewart says.
If you must buy your own set, expect to pay about $20.
Total Cost: $28 – $48
Total Expenses — And Ways to Save
After the adoption fee, you’ll probably need to spend $95 to $265 to prepare your home for a new furry companion. Remember that your dog’s size (and whether it’s a puppy or adult) will affect costs — some factors can lower expenses, others can raise them.
There are also ways to trim initial costs.
For instance, Stewart serves as a trustee at Friends of the Shelter, a nonprofit that funds medical care for dogs at her shelter. This group runs a Shelter Shop that sells donated items to adopters at reduced prices— and donors can claim tax deductions for contributions. Check with local shelters to see if they offer similar programs.
You can also ask friends and family (or social media contacts) for hand-me-downs. Pet owners often gladly pass along crates their pets outgrew or unopened bags of food their dog no longer eats.
Additional Adoption Tips
Beyond the shopping list, Stewart shared extra tips for first-time adopters bringing a dog home.
“Try to adopt when someone can be home for the first day or two,” she suggests. “That helps the dog relax and acclimate before being left alone.”
She adds, “Keep the initial weeks calm, set a routine and limit visitors. Never permit unsupervised contact with young children.”
This caution is especially important while you’re learning your new dog’s habits.
If you have other pets, Stewart recommends: “Introduce your pets to the new dog before finalizing adoption. Arrange for someone to help you walk the dogs together for a while before going into the home. Allow a decompression period before permitting direct contact inside.”
She also warns, “Newly adopted dogs often bolt when the front door opens. Keep the dog on a leash or in a crate when entering or exiting the home, and start teaching the dog to ‘wait’ whenever a door is opened.”
If you’re unsure about training, budget for classes. Training is vital for your dog’s safety and lifelong good behavior.
And remember to schedule a vet visit soon after adoption. Call around for price comparisons, but more importantly, read reviews of local veterinarians. You want someone affordable who also makes you and your dog feel at ease.
Marcus Hale is a devoted rescue dog owner of two — Baxter and Milo. When he isn’t cleaning Baxter’s ears or playing tug with Milo, Marcus enjoys reading, writing, editing and relaxing with a cold beer.
