Pets
New puppy and kitten checklists, training and care schedules.
2 premium · 3 free
These guides are for people bringing home a new puppy or kitten, and for owners who want a clear routine instead of guesswork. They cover the first week at home, feeding and potty timing, vaccine visits, grooming intervals and the training milestones that happen between 8 weeks and 6 months.
If your pickup day is close, start with The Checklist for New Puppy Owners: Before, During and After Day One — it covers supplies, costs and the first month. If the puppy is already home and you're unsure how much food to put down, go to Feeding a Puppy Schedule by Age, Weight and Breed Size. For crate work, naps, socialisation and commands in one daily plan, use Puppy Training Schedule: 8 Weeks to 6 Months, Week by Week.
Two care guides round things out: Dog Vaccination Schedule Chart: Every Shot by Age, Explained for the shot calendar and catch-up steps, and Dog Grooming Schedule: Exact Intervals by Breed and Coat Type for brushing, bathing and nails. Each one prints on a page or two and sticks to the fridge.
freeFor the weeks before pickup day, when you need supplies, a budget and a plan for night one.
premium+1 bonusReach for this when you're weighing scoops, dropping from four meals to three, or facing a picky eater.
premium+1 bonusFor owners who want a daily structure covering potty breaks, naps, crate time and basic commands.
freeUse it to track which shots are due, which are optional, and what to do after a missed booster.
freeBest once you know your dog's coat type and want realistic brushing, bathing and nail-trim intervals.
Common questions
What do I actually need before the puppy comes home?
A crate, bowls, an appropriate food, a collar and leash, cleaning supplies and an ID tag cover the basics. The Checklist for New Puppy Owners: Before, During and After Day One lists the full set with rough costs so you can shop once.
How often should a puppy eat?
Most puppies eat three to four meals a day early on, then drop to two as they grow, with portions tied to weight and expected adult size. Feeding a Puppy Schedule by Age, Weight and Breed Size has the portion math and a 30-day tracker.
When are puppy shots due, and what if we missed one?
Core vaccines usually run in a series every few weeks starting around 6 to 8 weeks, with boosters after. Dog Vaccination Schedule Chart: Every Shot by Age, Explained lays out the ages, separates core from non-core, and gives catch-up steps.
How soon should training start?
Training starts the day the puppy arrives — potty timing, crate comfort and name recognition all count. Puppy Training Schedule: 8 Weeks to 6 Months, Week by Week breaks it into daily routines so you're not guessing what to work on.