Rat Terrier Puppy Supplies Checklist
What to buy before your Rat Terrier puppy comes home, what to look for in each item, and what you can skip.
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A Rat Terrier puppy needs less than the pet store aisle suggests. Cover the essentials for sleeping, eating, toileting, walking, chewing and cleaning up, buy adjustable sizes because they grow fast, and add the rest once you know your dog. Here is a checklist you can work through before pickup day.
We have not tested individual products. Links go to current options so you can compare for yourself.
Buy before your puppy comes home
- Crate or playpen, and a washable bed
- Food (the same one the puppy is already eating) and two bowls
- Flat collar with ID tag, harness, and a 4–6 ft leash
- Chew toys made for puppies, and one puzzle feeder
- Small, soft training treats
- Enzymatic cleaner and poop bags
The checklist
| Item | What to look for | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Crate | Sized for the adult dog, with a divider panel for now | Essential |
| Playpen or baby gates | Tall enough for an agile climber | Very useful |
| Bed or crate mat | Washable cover; inexpensive while chewing lasts | Essential |
| Puppy food | Complete and balanced for growth; start with the current food | Essential |
| Bowls | Stainless steel or ceramic, non-tip | Essential |
| Collar and ID tag | Light, adjustable; check the fit weekly | Essential |
| Harness | Highly adjustable; expect to replace it as they grow | Essential |
| Leash | 4–6 ft fixed leash, light clip | Essential |
| Chew toys | Puppy-grade rubber, correct size | Essential |
| Puzzle feeder | Easy level to start | Very useful |
| Training treats | Pea-sized and soft | Essential |
| Enzymatic cleaner | Made for pet urine | Essential |
| Grooming basics | Rubber brush, nail clippers, dog toothbrush and toothpaste | Soon |
| Car restraint | Secured crate or crash-tested carrier | Before the first drive |
| Jacket | For a thin-coated puppy in cold weather | Seasonal |
Sleeping and confinement
A crate gives a puppy a safe place to sleep and makes house training far easier. Buy for adult size and block off the extra space with a divider so the puppy has room to stand, turn and lie down, but not enough to use one end as a toilet. Sizing is covered in our crate guide.
Wire crate with divider
Best for: House training and safe sleep
Advantages
- Divider grows with the puppy
- Good airflow and visibility
- Folds flat
Limitations
- Can be noisy
- Less cosy without a cover
Many Rat Terriers end up in a 24 or 30 inch crate. Measure your dog and check the manufacturer's size chart.
Feeding
Start with whatever the breeder or rescue has been feeding and change gradually if you want to switch. Young puppies eat three or four small meals a day. See the feeding guide for portions and body condition checks.
Walking gear
Puppies outgrow harnesses quickly, so choose an adjustable, inexpensive one first and upgrade later. Our harness guide explains types and how to measure, and the leash guide covers lengths.
Chewing and play
Teething peaks at around four to six months. Have several puppy-grade chew toys so you can swap a shoe for something legal every time. Add one easy puzzle feeder from the start.
Puppy teething chew toys
Best for: Teething and redirecting biting
Advantages
- Softer rubber for baby teeth
- Many can be filled and frozen to soothe gums
- Cheap to replace
Limitations
- Outgrown within months
- Must be sized correctly
Supervise, and move up to adult-strength toys when the adult teeth are in.
Cleaning up
Accidents happen. An enzymatic cleaner breaks down the odor that tells a puppy “this is the toilet,” which ordinary household cleaners do not. Keep paper towels and bags near the door. Browse enzymatic pet cleaners on Amazon (Amazon affiliate link, opens in a new tab).
What you can skip for now
- An expensive bed. Wait until the chewing phase has passed.
- Retractable leashes. Poor control and a poor match for a sprinter.
- Lots of clothing. One warm jacket is enough.
- Puppy pads, unless you have no outdoor access. They can slow outdoor house training.
- Rawhide and very hard chews. Ask your vet what is safe for your puppy.
Paperwork and appointments
- Vet appointment booked for the first few days.
- Microchip registration transferred to you.
- Vaccination and worming records from the breeder or rescue.
- Pet insurance decided on, if you want it.
The Puppy Setup Calculator estimates sizes and quantities for your puppy, and the first 30 days walks through what to do with it all.
