What to Buy for a Golden Retriever Puppy: The Must-Haves vs. Nice-to-Haves List

The pet store can make a new puppy feel like a shopping list with no end. The truth is that a golden retriever puppy needs a short list of things on day one and can grow into the rest. Here is how we would sort it, based on what breeders and veterinary sources recommend.

Tip: print our free Golden Retriever Puppy Checklist and tick items off as you buy them.

Must-haves before pickup

Item	Why a golden needs it	What to check
Crate with divider	Safe resting place, house training aid and car safety	Buy an adult-size crate and use the divider (see crate size guide)
Bed or crate pad	Joints and comfort	Washable cover, chew-resistant fabric
Food and water bowls	Day-one basics	Stainless steel or ceramic, non-tip, easy to clean
Puppy food	Fuel for growth	Same as the breeder’s food at first, then your vet’s recommendation
Collar or harness with ID tag	Safety	Adjustable, with your phone number on the tag
6-foot flat leash	Training and safety	Avoid retractable leashes for training
Chew toys	Teething and boredom	Sized for a large breed, see teething toys
Stain and odor cleaner	Accidents will happen	Enzymatic cleaner that breaks down odors so the puppy does not re-mark the spot
Baby gates or exercise pen	Keep your puppy safe when you cannot supervise	Sturdy and tall enough
Poop bags	Required for walks in most places	Any

Strongly recommended in the first month

• Brush, comb and nail clippers. Start short, positive grooming sessions early. Our brush guide explains the differences.
• Treats for training. Pea-sized soft treats work best because you will use many. Count them in your puppy’s daily calories.
• A stuffable toy. Fill it with your puppy’s food and freeze it to keep the crate calm.
• Puppy-safe shampoo. You will not bathe often, but muddy paws happen. See our shampoo guide.
• Car restraint. A crate secured in the car or a crash-tested harness is safer than a loose puppy.

Nice to have, but not urgent

Item	Why it can wait
Second bed for another room	You may find your puppy prefers a particular spot
Slow feeder bowl	Useful if your puppy gulps, see our slow feeder guide
Outdoor playpen	Handy if you spend a lot of time outside
Enrichment toys and puzzles	Great once you know their favorites
Pet insurance	Best to research before an emergency, see pet insurance for goldens

What to skip or delay

• Tiny collars and beds. A golden puppy grows from roughly the size of a loaf of bread to adult size in about a year, so buy adjustable and big.
• Retractable leashes while training. They reward pulling and can cause injuries.
• Rawhide, hard bones and antlers unless your vet is comfortable with them. Hard chews can break teeth, and swallowed pieces can cause blockages.
• Supplements. Do not add vitamins or calcium to a growing large-breed puppy’s diet unless your vet tells you to. Excess calcium can affect bone growth.

Food: what to buy

Goldens are a large breed, and large-breed puppies are usually fed a formula made for growth, including growth of large-size dogs. Tufts University nutritionists and VCA Animal Hospitals both explain why: fast growth and extra calcium can stress the developing skeleton. If you are unsure, ask your vet at the first visit and read our guide to the best puppy food for golden retrievers.

Safety supplies

Keep the number for your vet, a 24-hour emergency vet and a poison control line (ASPCA Animal Poison Control or Pet Poison Helpline) on the fridge. A pet first-aid kit, a digital thermometer, and a few gauze rolls are worth having. Ask your vet what they recommend you keep on hand.

Budget tip

Buy the biggest items once and borrow or buy used for things like gates and exercise pens. Buy consumables like treats in small amounts until you find what your puppy likes. For a full cost breakdown, see how much a golden retriever costs.