Little paws, a curious nose and a whole new routine: bringing your first puppy home is a lovely milestone. It can also leave you wondering what to buy, what to do first and whether you have remembered everything.
This practical guide is for new puppy owners in Malta and Gozo. We cover the essentials before collection, the first night, feeding and toilet training, with a shopping checklist from dPet.mt, your local online pet shop. Start with what your puppy needs today, then build your kit as you learn their size, habits and preferences.
Before your puppy arrives: prepare a calm, safe space
Choose a quiet area where your puppy can rest and explore under supervision. Get down to puppy height and check for things they can reach.
- Move electrical cables, medicines, cleaning products and unsafe plants out of reach.
- Secure access to stairs, balconies, doors and gaps they could squeeze through.
- Set out a comfortable bed, fresh water and a few suitable toys.
- Ask the breeder or rescue for the puppy’s feeding routine, health records and a familiar blanket.
Arrange a first veterinary appointment and take the records with you. Your vet can check the vaccination plan, parasite prevention and identification details. Preparing a resting space and keeping early experiences positive are part of the RSPCA’s puppy-care guidance.
The first day and night: keep things simple
Let your puppy explore one room at a time. Show them their water, sleeping area and designated toilet spot, then give them time to settle. Save the big welcome party for another day. Short, gentle interactions are enough; a retreat to bed is a cue to let them rest. This gradual approach follows Dogs Trust’s first-day advice.
Where should your puppy sleep?
A cosy bed close to you can help during the first nights. Keep bedtime calm, offer a toilet opportunity and respond gently if they are unsettled. They may need another toilet break during the night. If you use a crate, introduce it positively as a resting place, never as punishment. Blue Cross explains how a nearby sleeping area can help a puppy settle.
Choosing puppy food: life stage and size come first
Keep your puppy on their familiar food initially. When you decide to change, introduce the new food gradually—Blue Cross suggests around seven to ten days—unless your vet advises differently. Choose a complete puppy food suitable for their age and expected adult size, follow the feeding guide and keep fresh water available. Small regular meals suit young puppies; ask your vet about the right portions and schedule. See Blue Cross’s puppy-feeding guidance.
Farmina puppy food at dPet.mt
For a small-breed puppy, explore Farmina N&D Cod, Pumpkin and Cantaloupe Melon Puppy Mini 2.5kg. For medium and large breeds, see Farmina N&D Tropical Puppy Medium/Maxi Lamb 2kg. The latter is listed for pre-order, usually available within one to two working days; contact us before ordering if you need an exact date.
The right choice depends on your puppy, not just the brand name. A food labelled “adult” should not be chosen as their main diet simply because the bag is the right size.
Monge Puppy & Junior: coming soon
Our upcoming range includes Monge Fresh Puppy & Junior Pork with Vegetables Wet Dog Food 85g. This puppy-specific wet-food listing is not available to order yet. Ask us about Monge puppy food availability while we prepare the range.
Toilet training: routine, rewards and patience
Offer frequent opportunities to use the appropriate toilet area, especially after waking, meals and play. Reward your puppy promptly when they finish in the right place. If an accident happens, clean it calmly; punishment can make the process harder. Dogs Trust’s toilet-training guide explains the value of timing and consistent rewards.
Training pads can be a practical temporary option where outdoor access is difficult, including apartment living. Keep the toilet area away from the bed and bowls, replace used pads promptly and work towards your preferred routine. Pads help manage accidents; they do not replace supervision or regular toilet opportunities. Ask your vet which outdoor areas are appropriate before vaccination protection is complete.
Your puppy shopping checklist at dPet.mt
You do not need to buy everything at once. Have the first-day basics ready, check dimensions and age guidance, and add extras when you know what suits your puppy.
- Suitable puppy food. Start with the familiar diet, then consider the Farmina Puppy Mini option or Medium/Maxi puppy recipe above. Also to strongly consider Monge Puppy & Junior.
- Training pads. Pawise Quilted Training Pads, 56 × 56cm, 14-pack are a puppy-suitable option. Browse training pads and disposable solutions for alternatives.
- Two easy-clean bowls. Choose stable food and water bowls that your puppy can reach comfortably. Explore dog bowls, feeders and water accessories; a large bowl is not automatically the best fit for a tiny puppy.
- A washable bed. The Chipz Medium Dog Bed, 63 × 60 × 20cm is one option. Measure the space and check the puppy has room to stretch, or browse other dog beds.
- A lightweight lead and correctly fitted collar or harness. Start with the Karlie Nylon Puppy Lead, 100cm × 10mm, then choose a measured fit from collars, harnesses and leads. Recheck the fit as your puppy grows.
- Puppy teething toys. Explore the Pawise Puppy Life Teething Toy Set. Follow its age and size guidance, supervise play and remove damaged toys. A few suitable toys are a better start than a basket of unsuitable ones.
- A supervised puppy area. The Puppy Run Dog and Puppy Playpen can help define a safe area. Check its dimensions, stability and suitability for your puppy’s size and climbing ability.
- Gentle grooming equipment. Choose tools for your puppy’s coat from dog grooming and wellbeing. The Flamingo Lotus Rubber Grooming Brush is intended for short-haired pets; longer coats need different tools.
- Travel equipment that fits the journey. For carrying a small puppy on foot, the Flamingo Kanga Sling Carrier has a 5kg limit. Check dimensions and fitting instructions. It is a carrying sling, not a substitute for a suitable car restraint or secured travel crate.
- The practical extras. Add waste bags, a washable blanket, pet-safe accident cleaner and a towel. Contact dPet.mt if you would like help finding a size or checking an item before ordering.
What to focus on during the first week
Gentle introductions and short training sessions
Introduce household sounds, handling and new people gradually. Reward calm behaviour, keep early training brief and stop before your puppy becomes overwhelmed. Children should be supervised and taught to leave a resting puppy alone. Introduce resident pets carefully, with space to move away; never force contact.
Ask your vet how to balance early socialisation with infection risk. Safe experiences can begin before ordinary walks, for example observing the world while being carried. The RSPCA’s early socialisation advice emphasises positive, gradual experiences.
Plan for Malta and Gozo’s warmer days
Keep drinking water and shade available. Avoid strenuous activity in the heat, plan journeys carefully and never leave your puppy alone in a car—even with the windows open. Blue Cross explains why parked cars are dangerous for dogs.
Why choose dPet.mt for your puppy essentials?
dPet.mt was created by pet owners, for pet owners. Our aim is to make everyday pet care easier: food, training pads, beds, toys and walking accessories in one online pet shop serving Malta and Gozo.
Choose free next working day delivery on orders of €45 or more after discounts, or €6.50 delivery below that amount. Instant delivery is also available in Malta, with the applicable price and service options shown at checkout. Pre-order products have their own availability times, and working-day delivery excludes weekends and Malta public holidays. Check our delivery policy before ordering.
Need help comparing sizes or finding a product? Our customer-support team is available daily, 9am–10pm. For feeding or health concerns specific to your puppy, your vet is the right person to guide you.
Prepare the essentials now, leave room for the unexpected and enjoy getting to know your newest family member. Your puppy does not need a perfect first day—just a safe home, patient people and time to settle.