You’re getting a Labrador pup – how exciting! It’s helpful to know where to start with all the essential must-haves for a Labrador puppy. No worries, we know exactly what your little rascal – and you – need to get off to a flying start.
Of course, you want everything in your home to be stylish, beautifully designed, responsibly made, and long-lasting. So why should your Labrador pup’s things be any different? Don’t worry, we’ve got you. No more spending days scrolling the internet for the most beautiful products – here you’ll find all the essential must-haves for a Labrador puppy, clearly laid out in one place. We know exactly what you need to welcome your Labrador puppy, and we’ll make sure everything fits perfectly with your sustainable and stylish lifestyle.
Below you’ll find a list of 14 essential must-haves for a Labrador puppy. Good for your rascal, good for you, and good for the planet. That’s what we call a win-win-win situation – or actually, Pawness!
14 essential must‑haves for a Labrador puppy
- Bench voor labrador puppy
- Kussen en een hondendeken
- Hondenvoer voor labrador puppy
- Hondenkoekjes en snacks
- Voer- en waterbak voor labrador puppy
- Halsband voor labrador puppy
- Tuigje
- Hondenriem voor labrador puppy
- ID-tag voor labrador puppy
- Poepzakhouder en poepzakjes
- Natuurlijke hondenshampoo voor labrador puppy
- Natuurlijke conditioning spray voor labrador puppy
- Houten borstel
- Speelgoed voor labrador puppy
14 essential must‑haves for a Labrador puppy – the checklist
A safe place to sleep
1. Crate for a Labrador puppy
Your rascal needs a place where he can stay safely until he’s ready to roam freely around the house. You’ll probably use a crate for your Labrador puppy for no longer than about a year.
One of the most common misconceptions is that this safe space needs to be very large to be effective. In reality, a crate for a Labrador puppy only needs to be big enough for him to stand up and turn around comfortably. You can even buy a crate that’s large enough for an adult Labrador. With the included dividers, you can reduce the interior space at first so the crate is the perfect size for your puppy.
We’ll be honest with you: most crates won’t exactly enhance your interior. The good news is that after about a year, your pup can usually move out of the crate and a stylish dog cushion will be more than enough for his own little spot. Until then, you can opt for a standard crate (time to bite the bullet). These crates for Labrador puppies usually come in silver or black and in various sizes. You can, of course, also go for the design crate from pawd, which comes in two colours, though not in multiple sizes.
2. Cushion and dog blanket
Make the crate a cosy spot where your rascal can sleep and chill. Place a mat or cushion on the bottom of the crate so your puppy can lie comfortably on a soft surface. It’s also a good idea to put a blanket over the mat or cushion. Not only does this feel extra snug, but it also helps keep the mat or cushion clean for longer.
Bekijk onze biologishe katoenen dekens.
Love goes through the stomach, right?
3. Dog food for a Labrador puppy
Choosing the right food for your Labrador pup is something you’ll want to think through carefully. This is not the time to grab the first bag of kibble you see. Dog nutrition is at least as complex as human nutrition, and the options are endless. When choosing the right kibble for your Labrador puppy, it’s wise to get proper advice. Feed your pup high-quality food that contains all the essential nutrients. And because the rule “the more expensive, the better the quality” always applies here, it’s a good idea to ask your vet for recommendations on the best food for your Labrador pup.
Besides choosing the right kibble for your Labrador puppy, it’s just as important to get the quantity right. In those first months, your little rascal is working hard to grow, and that takes a lot of energy. Alongside plenty of sleep, good nutrition is essential. Discuss how often and how much your puppy should eat with your vet, so you can be sure he’s getting everything he needs.
4. Dog treats and snacks
As a dedicated puppy parent, you’ll naturally always have some tasty dog treats within reach. Treats are perfect for training your Labrador puppy or simply spoiling him now and then. The same rule applies to treats as to food: make sure they’re high quality and contain the right nutrients. Many dog snacks contain ingredients that don’t contribute to your pup’s health. So choose snacks that are as pure as possible, without added artificial colours, flavours, or fragrances.
Time to eat!
5. Food and water bowls for a Labrador puppy
If love goes through the stomach, it should also be served in style, right? Once you know which food is best for your rascal, you’ll still need the pawfect food bowl. By choosing a beautiful bowl for your Labrador puppy, you turn every mealtime into true “dinner time”. There are many different bowls available. If you invest in two good bowls right away, your rascal can use them for a very long time – maybe even his whole life. It’s a good idea to choose a food bowl for your Labrador pup made of a natural material, such as ceramic. It’s also worth paying attention to how the bowls are coloured.
If you opt for a handmade bowl from Pawness, you know it’s 100% natural. Each handmade bowl is crafted from naturally sourced clay and finished with naturally coloured glaze. Choose two bowls – one for food and one for water – so your rascal always has a fresh bowl of water waiting for him.
Bekijk de handgemaakte, keramieken voerbak van Pawness
Out and about together
6. Collar for a Labrador puppy
Everyone knows dogs love going for walks, but it’s actually one of the most important parts of their day. Besides daily exercise, walks help reduce stress, support socialisation, and strengthen the bond between you and your Labrador pup. That’s why a good-looking, high-quality walking set is essential for heading out together. Your Labrador puppy will grow quickly at first, but it’s still important to match the collar to his current size and age. In the beginning, choose an adjustable collar for your Labrador pup. This way, you’ll get through his first growth spurt easily.
7. Harness
In addition to a collar, you might also consider a harness for your Labrador pup. Wearing a harness takes the pressure off your rascal’s neck. If your Labrador puppy grows into a very energetic and maybe slightly stubborn walker, a harness can make a big difference. There are special harnesses designed to give you more control and guidance during walks.
8. Leash for a Labrador puppy
When choosing a leash for your Labrador puppy, it’s important to pick one that suits your dog’s size. Make sure it’s not too long or too heavy in the beginning. Your Labrador puppy still has to learn how to walk on a leash, and you want to avoid your little fluffball getting tangled up while playing and exploring.
Ontdek onze wandelcollectie voor je labrador puppy.
I’m lost!
9. ID tag for a Labrador puppy
Even though your pup is microchipped, it’s still important that he can be easily identified. Attach a clearly readable ID tag to the carefully chosen collar. Make sure your rascal’s name, your own name, and your phone number are all clearly visible. You might think your pup doesn’t need this because he’s an “indoor dog”. But accidents happen (we know, you’d rather not think about it) and your pup could unexpectedly get lost. In that case, you’ll want to be reunited with your four-legged friend as quickly as possible.
You can see the ID tag as a purely practical item, or turn it into a stylish detail on the collar. That way, your Labrador pup is easy to identify – and looks absolutely flawless while he’s at it.
Clean up “number 2”
10. Poop bag holder and poop bags
Your walks are also the perfect time for your rascal to do his business. As a proud puppy parent, you’ll be over the moon when he learns to go during walks. Just don’t forget to clean up “number 2” once your little friend is finished. Attach a stylish poop bag holder with compostable bags to his leash so you’ll always have a responsible bag on hand to tidy everything up.
Ontdek onze poep-scoop collectie
Spa(w) time
During all that walking and playing, your puppy is bound to get dirty now and then. Most of the time, you can wipe away the worst with a damp washcloth. But it’s also a good idea to give your Labrador puppy an occasional bath. By starting early, he can get used to the bath-time routine – and who knows, he might even start to enjoy it!
11. Natural dog shampoo for a Labrador puppy
Just like food and treats, there are countless grooming products for Labrador pups. To care for your Labrador puppy’s sensitive skin, choose a mild, irritation-free product. The Pawness Care Collection is perfect for this – especially the Bark Bliss Shampoo. The Bark Bliss Shampoo, suitable for Labrador puppies from 8 weeks old, is made with natural ingredients and nourishes and hydrates both the skin and coat.
12. Natural conditioning spray for a Labrador puppy
Alongside shampoo for your Labrador puppy, you can also use a conditioning spray to freshen up and care for his coat between washes. This way, you don’t have to bathe your puppy every time, but he’ll still smell amazing, and his skin and coat will be well cared for. Within the Pawness Care Collection, you’ll also find the Bark Bliss Conditioner Spray – pawfect to use together with the shampoo from the same line.
13. Wooden brush
As the finishing touch to your pup’s spa(w) treatment, brush through your Labrador puppy’s coat. Regular brushing removes loose hairs and tangles, giving the coat a healthy shine. For grooming your Labrador puppy’s short coat, use a wooden brush with rounded-tip pins.
Chewing, fetching, tugging, gnawing
14. Toys for a Labrador puppy
It doesn’t matter how your puppy prefers to play – what matters is giving his natural urge to chew a safe outlet with durable toys. Especially when your Labrador pup is teething, toys are a great way to ease the process and teach him what he is and isn’t allowed to chew on. Your fingers, shoes, and sofa will thank you later!
Sustainable dog toys
There’s a huge range of dog toys out there, but it’s shocking how many of them aren’t suitable for your rascal’s sharp teeth. Many toys for Labrador puppies aren’t properly tested for safety and are made from materials that aren’t very strong or sustainable. And we haven’t even mentioned the way many of these toys look – not exactly something that sparks joy
Luckily, some toys do focus on both design and sustainability. The Moonball, for example, is a perfect toy for your pup. This ball is made from natural rubber, is free of plastic, and is fully biodegradable. It also features a hole in the middle where you can hide your rascal’s favourite snacks or kibble.
A rope toy is also a great way to satisfy your pup’s chewing needs. When choosing a rope, look for a chew rope made from natural, unbleached cotton – or go for a hemp rope, which is both strong and sustainable.
Zodra je een puppy verwelkomt in je huis heb je een hele lijst aan spulletjes nodig. Dit kan soms overweldigend zijn. Daarom hierbij nog een keer alle essentials in een checklist, dat is wel zo makkelijk!
14 essential must‑haves for a Labrador puppy – the checklist
- Crate
- Cushion or mat for in the crate
- Blanket
- High-quality dog food
- High-quality (training) treats
- Ceramic food and water bowls
- Collar and/or harness
- Leash
- ID tag
- Poop bag holder and compostable poop bags
- Natural dog shampoo
- Natural conditioning spray
- Houten borstel
- Chew toys
Bronnen “14 Noodzakelijke benodigdheden voor een labrador puppy”
– Somyr Perry for Petcentral
– Wild one
Ik ben Denise, oprichter van Pawness. Ontstaan vanuit de liefde voor mijn hond Bo en de zoektocht naar eerlijke, mooie producten voor honden. Ik geloof dat elke keuze telt: voor je hond, voor de planeet en voor de mensen erachter. Met deze blogs help ik puppyouders bewuster te kiezen, zonder dat het ingewikkeld hoeft te zijn.
