Bringing Home a Bulldog? Here’s Your Must-Have List!

If you’re a first-time puppy parent, I totally get it—you’re probably feeling a little overwhelmed and not sure where to start. What do you even need? What kind of toys? What food? How much do they eat? What about allergies, vet visits, vaccines? There’s so much to think about, and let’s be real—the endless options online and in stores don’t make it any easier. That was exactly us when we got Roma—first-time puppy parents, and to an English Bulldog, no less!

I had no idea what I was doing, and all I really wanted was to enjoy those first moments with our little pup without stressing over every little details. I still remember the night we brought Roma home (which, by the way, deserves a whole separate vlog). We rushed to the nearest pet store to grab the basics—pee pads, a bed, food and water bowls, and some toys. Did I mention the pee pads? Oh yeah, Roma LOVED those… but not in the way we expected. Instead of using them for, you know, actually going potty, she turned them into her personal chew toys. We quickly realized, “Uh… this isn’t going to work. How do we even potty train her?”

So, if you’re in that stage where you’re figuring it all out, today I want to share 5 essential items that helped us survive the first weeks with Roma. And even if you’ve had dogs before, stick around—these tips will still be super helpful!

1. A Dog Crate

Okay, I know what you’re thinking—“A crate? Isn’t that cruel?” Trust me, we had the same doubts. We felt so guilty at first, thinking Roma would hate it. But the truth is, a crate becomes their safe space. It helps with potty training, gives them a cozy place to rest, and keeps them from getting into trouble when you’re not watching. We actually call Roma’s crate her “casita” (little house)—whenever we say that word, she knows it’s bedtime! I wish we had gotten one from day one. The first two nights were a nightmare—she cried non-stop, even when we tried letting her sleep in bed with us. We played calming music, tried sleeping on the couch with her, placed her bed right next to ours—nothing worked. Then, we did some research and saw that many people recommended crates as a way to make puppies feel more secure. So, we got one, covered it slightly to make it feel cozier, and placed it by the Christmas tree (with the lights on for a comforting glow). The first night in the crate, she still cried, but way less than before. We set alarms to take her outside for potty breaks so she could start making the connection: crying = potty time, not playtime. If you’re in the same boat, don’t worry—it’s totally normal for puppies to cry in the beginning. Just make their sleeping area comfy and safe, and they’ll get used to it in no time.

➡️ Below is the crate we got from Amazon. At first, I thought it was too big for her, but now that she’s growing, it’s perfect!

2. Food for Bulldogs

Wow, dog food itself deserves a whole separate vlog. The first week, we only gave Roma chicken and carrots because that’s what her breeder was feeding her. But soon, we started asking ourselves—are we feeding her the right amount? Is this what we want to stick with long-term?

So, we went to the supermarket to look for bulldog-friendly pet food, and let me tell you—it was overwhelming. So many brands, so many ingredients to read, and every website we checked had a different recommendation. We just wanted something safe, nutritious, and affordable.

After a lot of research (and scrolling through Amazon reviews), we found a brand that many bulldog owners recommended. We started with a small bag to test it out, and Roma LOVED it! Next time, we went straight for the big bag.

One of the things I love about this food is that it’s not only safe for bulldogs but also comes with clear feeding guidelines based on age and target weight. Bulldogs are prone to weight issues, so portion control is super important. When we took Roma to the vet, she confirmed that the brand we chose was a great quality food for bulldogs, and a lot of her patients with bulldogs ate it too. She also reminded us that while human food can be an option later on, in the first year, puppies need all the necessary nutrients to grow strong and healthy—and with dog food, you know exactly how much they’re getting.

➡️ Here’s the food Roma is eating now—and loving (though, to be fair, she loves all food).

3. Get Pet Insurance

This is one of those things you don’t think about until you actually need it—and trust me, with bulldogs, it’s better to be prepared. Bulldogs are prone to certain health issues like allergies, skin infections, and breathing problems, and vet bills add up fast.

We debated whether or not to get pet insurance at first, but after seeing how common vet visits can be for bulldogs, we decided it was 100% worth it. We found an affordable plan that covered things like emergency visits, medications, and even some routine checkups. It gave us so much peace of mind knowing that if anything happened, we wouldn’t have to stress about crazy vet costs.

If you’re getting a bulldog (or any pet, really), I highly recommend looking into pet insurance. Even if you don’t use it often, the one time you do will make it worth every penny.

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4. Wipes for Wrinkles

If you know anything about bulldogs, you know those adorable face wrinkles come with a lot of maintenance. At first, we had no idea we had to clean them regularly.

We make it a habit to wipe Roma’s wrinkles daily to keep them clean and dry. We usually go for gentle, fragrance-free wipes, but once or twice a week, we use these medicated wipes our vet recommended. You can grab them on Amazon using the link below. The best part? They get rid of all the stains in her wrinkles, and she looks fresh and clean!

Tip: Don’t forget to dry the wrinkles after wiping them! Any leftover moisture can cause irritation or even infections. Keeping them clean is such a simple step but makes a huge difference in your bulldog’s health.

➡️ Below are the wipes we use for Roma—super gentle and effective!

Final Thoughts

Bringing home a puppy—especially a bulldog—comes with a learning curve, but having the right essentials makes it SO much easier. I hope this list helps you feel more prepared and less overwhelmed!

If you have any other must-have essentials or tips for new bulldog parents, drop them in the comments! And don’t forget to subscribe to Roma youtube channel linked below, so you don’t miss our next video—I’ll be sharing more behind-the-scenes of our journey with Roma.

https://www.youtube.com/@RomaTheEnglishBulldog

See you in the next vlog!