Puppy & Kitten Care

Your pet’s first year lays the foundation for lifelong health. At V.E.T. Care Hospital , we’re here to help you give them a healthy start.

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What to Expect in That First Year

If possible, schedule your puppy’s or kitten’s first visit within a week of bringing them home. We’ll perform a physical exam, check their weight, discuss parasite testing, and review any care they received from a breeder, shelter, or rescue. Please bring their vaccination and medical records.

Puppies and kittens need a series of vaccinations during their first months. We’ll set a schedule based on your pet’s age and records, and discuss deworming, microchipping, and the right time to spay or neuter. We’re also here for questions about feeding, behavior, and settling in at home.

Our team at V.E.T. Care Hospital will help you plan each step of your new pet’s care.

Common Questions About Puppy and Kitten Care

New puppy and kitten owners often ask when to schedule the first visit, how many visits their pet will need, when to consider spaying or neutering, and what to feed. We’ve answered those common questions below. Bring any questions specific to your pet to the appointment; we’re happy to talk them through.

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When should my new puppy or kitten have their first visit?

Schedule your puppy’s or kitten’s first exam as soon as you can, ideally within a week of bringing them home. We’ll check their weight and overall health, discuss parasite testing, and review any vaccinations they’ve already received so we can plan their next visits.

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How many visits will the vaccine series take?

Most puppies need four to six visits during their first year, usually spaced four weeks to two months apart. Kittens typically need two to three visits. The exact schedule depends on your pet’s age and vaccination history, and we’ll let you know when their next visit is due before you leave.
Ask us about our Puppy and Kitten Bundles, an affordable way to cover your new pet’s preventive care.

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When should my pet be spayed or neutered?

We usually begin discussing spaying or neutering around four months of age, but the best timing depends on your pet’s species, breed, size, and health. Our veterinarians will review the options with you and recommend a plan for your pet.

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What should I feed a growing puppy or kitten?

Choose a food formulated for puppies or kittens, rather than an adult maintenance diet, and measure each meal. The right amount depends on your pet’s age, size, and growth. At your visit, we can recommend a food and starting portion, then adjust it as your pet grows.

Why Those Early Months Matter

Puppies and kittens receive some protection from their mothers, but it fades during their first months. A vaccine series helps protect them against serious diseases such as parvovirus, distemper, and feline panleukopenia. Completing the series matters, including the final booster.

Early exams also give us a chance to check for concerns such as heart murmurs, hernias, retained testicles, or problems with how the teeth meet. We can discuss safe socialization during these visits, too, as your new pet learns about the world around them.

Bringing Home a New Pet

A new animal in the house is exciting, chaotic, and full of unexpected questions.

Puppy and kitten visits are a good time to ask about house training, crate training, litter box habits, biting, or chewing. We can also help you choose a food and portion size that support your pet’s growth. Our pet nutrition and weight management guidance begins with these early visits.

After the first year, most pets move to annual preventive and wellness care visits. Explore our full range of veterinary services to see how we can care for your pet as they grow.

Puppies

Puppy visits include vaccinations, deworming, heartworm prevention, and guidance on leash and crate training. Most puppies need four to six visits during their first year, depending on their age and vaccination history.

Kittens

Kitten visits include a vaccine series, deworming, and a discussion about testing for feline leukemia (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Indoor kittens still need core vaccines. We’ll also recommend parasite prevention based on your kitten’s health and risk of exposure.

A tabby-and-white cat and a golden-brown dog resting together on a soft