Bringing home a new dog is a very exciting time, but gathering supplies can feel overwhelming. After all, your smart, athletic Dalmatian will need several items to be as healthy, happy, and mentally stimulated as possible.

It’s a good idea to prepare a checklist of everything you’ll need, including food, walking supplies, toys, grooming items, and more, so you can do your shopping before your spotty friend comes home.

If you’re not sure where to start, this list shares everything you’ll need to get your Dalmatian settled into their new home, as well as our top product choices for each item.

The 18 Essential Dalmatian Supplies

Food and Feeding Supplies

1. Puppy Food

Puppies need a recipe formulated specifically for puppies and not adult dogs because their dietary needs differ. Puppies are going through the crucial development stage, and puppy foods by reputable brands are designed to offer all the nutrients they need to grow and develop properly and at a healthy pace.

Our top choice for Dalmatian puppies is the Purina Pro-Plan Shredded Chicken Blend, which contains 28% protein. This falls nicely into the recommended range for puppies (22%–32% on a dry matter basis) given by VCA Animal Hospitals. It also contains DHA, antioxidants, omega-6, and calcium to support healthy development.

The Pro-Plan formula has received a great number of positive reviews from customers. If you’ve adopted an adult Dalmatian, please purchase a formula for adult dogs. We also recommend asking your vet for advice on feeding and the best types of food for your Dalmatian’s specific needs.

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2. Food Bowls

Though it may seem small, trust us when we say that the kind of food and water bowls you pick can make a big difference. Stainless steel is the best material because it’s easy to clean and keep clean. It’s also very durable, whereas other types of material may get cracked or chipped.

Thanks to their glowing reviews, we’ve chosen these stainless steel bowls (2-count) by Frisco. The bowls have rubber bases to prevent sliding and are designed to help kibble stay in the bowl (some dogs are a little too enthusiastic at mealtimes). If your dog tends to gobble too quickly, you might want to consider a slow feeder instead.

Training Supplies

3. Training Treats

Training treats are crucial for bringing positivity to your training sessions and encouraging and motivating your dog. They’re also perfect for marking good behavior when it occurs. Just remember not to feed too many and always stick to the daily amount recommendation of the packet.

Due to their positive reviews and suitability for all age ranges, we’ve chosen these USA-made beef-flavored training treats by Blue Buffalo as our top pick.

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4. Training Leash

Training leashes, which are longer than regular leashes, can be useful when teaching your Dalmatian to return to you. They give your pup the freedom to explore while giving you peace of mind and ensuring you stay in control. If you’re unfamiliar with these, we recommend checking out PetSafe’s training lead, which is suitable for dogs of all sizes and comes in three different lengths.

Entertainment Supplies

5. Puppy Toy Pack

When your Dalmatian is a puppy, they’re still exploring to find out what their favorite types of toys and textures are. One idea is to get a toy variety pack to give your puppy different play experiences.

We like this variety pack by Rocket & Rex because it contains six toys of different materials and textures, including non-toxic rubber for chewing and cotton toys for fetching, pulling, and snuggling.

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6. Kong Toy

KONG classic toys have a ridged interior and are designed to be stuffed with treats that the dog has to work to get out. They offer dogs mental stimulation and are great for keeping them busy when you need to pop out (we speak from personal experience). This classic KONG is suitable for adult dogs, but you can also get models for puppies that help with teething.

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7. Plush Toy

In our experience, KONG plush toys are durable and make great tug-of-war toys and comforters. Your Dalmatian may appreciate something like the KONG Cozie Marvin the Moose plush toy, available in three sizes and has received largely positive reviews.

Walking Supplies

8. Harness

A harness can offer you extra control while you’re out and about with your dog. Harnesses also prevent throat damage in dogs that pull a lot. Our favorite kinds of harnesses are easy to put on—some can be pretty finicky. We also like padded, lightweight harnesses because they’re more comfortable for dogs. With those specifications in mind, we’ve picked Frisco’s padded harness.

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9. Collar

In addition to a harness, you’ll need a collar to attach an ID tag to and for occasions when you want to walk your Dalmatian without a harness. This nylon Frisco collar is designed to be lightweight and comfortable, and you can choose from various colors and sizes. Remember to measure your dog’s neck before you buy.

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10. Leash

A standard leash is one of the most important Dalmatian supplies of all. We think this one by Frisco is pretty cool because it comes with two handles, which allow you to shorten and extend the leash easily when needed. It also has a handy poop bag dispenser attached, which is ideal for reminding you to grab some bags before leaving the house.

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11. ID Tag

Along with microchipping, it’s important to make sure your Dalmatian has a name tag with your phone number attached to their collar. This increases your chances of getting your dog back if they go missing.

We recommend going for a professionally printed name tag rather than one of those types you write your information on. Like this bone-shaped one by Frisco, printed tags are much less likely to get damaged.

Comfort Supplies

12. Crate

Because they’re den animals by nature, crate training can give dogs a sense of safety and security and is useful for potty training. If you plan to crate train your Dalmatian, you’ll need to make sure the crate is appropriately sized: not too big or too small.

We’ve selected this crate by MidWest for its security features and divider panel, which lets you adjust the roominess of the crate as your Dalmatian gets bigger. Check the product’s sizing instructions to understand how to measure your dog for a crate.

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13. Bed/Mat

Offering your dog their own personal bed or mat to sleep on gives them a cozy spot to retreat to. Crate mats are ideal because they can make a crate more comfortable or be used outside the crate as necessary. This machine-washable crate mat by MidWest is reversible and designed for comfort in both hot and cold weather. Remember to measure your dog and the crate to ascertain the correct size.

More Dog Beds To Pick From:

• 10 Best Orthopedic Dog Beds – Reviews & Top Picks
• 10 Best Memory Foam Dog Beds – Reviews & Top Picks

Cleaning Supplies

14. Poop Bags

Poop bags are, without a doubt, the most important cleanup items, especially when walking your dog in public places. Fortunately, they’re typically inexpensive and can be purchased in bulk, like these Earth Rated poop bags, which come with a handy dispenser. You can choose from scented or unscented bags.

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15. Enzyme Cleaner

Accidents happen, and for the sake of your floors and furniture, it’s prudent to be prepared for when they do. We recommend grabbing an enzyme cleaner in advance, like the Advanced Bio-Enzyme Stain & Odor Remover from Hepper. It’s formulated for use on a variety of water-safe surfaces, including carpets, bedding, clothes, and upholstery. Plus, the neutral scent means no chemical fragrances filling the home.

At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool pet company!

Grooming Supplies

16. Brush

Curry combs are typically used on horses, but they’re also recommended for Dalmatians by the American Kennel Club. Dalmatians aren’t very high-maintenance in this department, but they need to be brushed once weekly to spruce up those gorgeous coats and get rid of loose hairs.

The brush we’ve chosen can be used on both dry and wet coats, so it’s perfect for bathing and is soft and flexible to contour to your dog’s body shape and your hand.

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17. Dog Shampoo

Dalmatians need to be bathed occasionally, but you should never use human shampoo. Dogs have different pH levels from us, so human shampoos can remove important natural oils from the coat and cause skin irritation.

Instead, use a shampoo formulated specifically for dogs. This soap-free, cucumber and aloe-scented oatmeal shampoo from Hepper is a great choice. It’s free from harsh soaps, dyes, and sulfates and is pH-balanced and safe for all pets. Plus, it’s made in the USA!

At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool pet company!

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18. Nail Clipper

It’s a good idea to get your Dalmatian used to nail clipping from an early age. There are a number of clipper types, from scissor-style clippers to clippers with tension springs, like this pair by Safari. They’re designed to cut quickly and cleanly and can be used by both left and right-handers.

Conclusion

We hope this guide has helped you feel more prepared for your Dalmatian’s arrival. We recommend meeting with a vet when you bring your pooch home to discuss their needs in more detail and to get advice on the best kinds of products for them. Dogs aren’t all made the same, and some may need more specific care items.

See also:

• Plastic vs Metal Dog Bowls: Which is Right for Your Needs?
• Are Plastic Bowls or Containers Bad for Dog Food? Vet Approved Guide

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Featured Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock