Your puppy's or kitten's first vet visit: what to bring and what to ask

When to book it

Book the first visit for your first week or two together, even if your new pet seems perfectly healthy, and sooner if anything seems off. Puppy and kitten vaccines can start as early as 6 weeks of age and continue every few weeks until about 16 weeks (16 to 20 weeks for kittens), so this visit also sets the dates for the next few.

What to bring

• Every paper from the shelter, rescue or breeder. Vaccines given (with dates, and product names if listed), deworming and any test results. Your vet may be able to count doses already given.
• A fresh stool sample, if the clinic asks. Parasite guidelines call for stool checks at least four times in a pet's first year, so many clinics ask for one at the first visit.
• What your pet eats, how much and how often, including treats.
• Your questions, written down. There's a list below.
• A carrier for cats and small puppies, or a leash and a collar or harness for bigger puppies.
• Treats your pet likes, to make the exam go more smoothly.

What usually happens

• A weigh-in and a nose-to-tail exam: eyes, ears, mouth, heart, lungs, skin and coat, and belly.
• Vaccines, if your pet is old enough and healthy that day. The core vaccines for puppies are the distemper combo (DAPP) and leptospirosis, plus rabies when your state requires it. For kittens they are FVRCP and feline leukemia (FeLV), plus rabies as the vaccine label and local law require.
• Deworming. Parasite guidelines recommend deworming puppies and kittens starting at 2 weeks of age and repeating every 2 weeks until regular parasite control begins, so tell your vet what your pet has already had.
• Heartworm prevention. The American Heartworm Society recommends starting puppies and kittens on a preventive as early as the product label allows, and no later than 8 weeks of age.
• For kittens, a feline leukemia and FIV test. Feline guidelines recommend testing cats as soon as possible after they join a home, and before the FeLV vaccine.
• A microchip scan. If your pet already has a chip, confirm it's registered to you. If not, ask about getting one.

Questions to ask

1. Which vaccines does my pet need, and when is each next dose? Does their lifestyle call for others, such as Bordetella for daycare or boarding?
2. What parasite prevention should they be on, and should it be year-round?
3. What should they eat, how much and how often?
4. When should we spay or neuter? The answer can differ by species and, for dogs, by expected adult size.
5. Is the microchip registered, and to whom?
6. What's normal over the next few weeks, and what should make me call you?
7. If you're considering pet insurance: what did you find today? Many plans don't cover conditions noted before coverage starts.

After the visit

• Write down what was given and the date, and when each next dose is due. Or ask the clinic to email you the record.
• Put the next appointments in your calendar before you leave the parking lot.
• Keep the clinic's paperwork with everything from the shelter or breeder, in one place.