How to prepare for your puppy’s first vet visit

Your puppy’s first veterinarian appointment is a crucial step to starting on the road to a healthy life. Before you bring your new puppy home, you’ll want to schedule their first vet appointment so you can get started on the right track. Puppies should go to their first vet visit around six to eight weeks old so that they can receive their first round of vaccinations.

If you rescued your pup from a shelter, they’ve probably already received their shots and may be spayed or neutered. However, it’s still a good idea to take them to the vet as soon as possible to establish a complete medical record and catch any potential health issues. It’s important to make your puppy’s first visit a positive experience, so be sure to do your research and gather essential supplies before you go so you feel prepared and relaxed.  

The best time to take your puppy to the vet is as soon as you can after bringing them home. Very young puppies have antibodies from their mother’s milk that protect them against diseases; however, these antibodies start wearing off at around six weeks old, leaving them with a vulnerable immune system. This is when it’s recommended for them to get their first vaccines and around the time many people adopt. 

Another reason to schedule your first vet visit early on is to get started on what the American Veterinary Medical Association calls the “veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR). Trusted Source American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Not-for-profit organization representing 97,000+ vets. Go to source ” This refers to the three-way relationship between you, the vet, and your puppy. It’s important to have this relationship early on so the vet can get to know your pup and comfortably diagnose them if and when any future health conditions arise. 

A preliminary check-up is helpful even for healthy puppies because it can establish a baseline of normal behavior for your pup and make them feel like going to the doctor can be a positive experience since they don’t just go when they’re sick.

If you adopt a puppy from a shelter, they’ve likely already had at least some vaccines and may be spayed/neutered. Their medical record should be included in their adoption folder, and you’ll need to take it with you to the initial visit to the vet.  If you buy a puppy from a breeder, they may or may not have had any medical treatments yet, so be sure to ask for papers. 

Make sure to bring any medical records you may have received from the breeder or shelter with you on your puppy’s first veterinary appointment. 

New puppy checklist

Once you’ve made the appointment and brought your puppy home, there are still a few things you’ll need to do before loading them in the car and taking off to the local clinic. Here’s a short checklist of what you’ll want to bring with you: 

• Medical records including any current medications if applicable
• Stool sample in a sealed plastic bag
• Leash
• Collar or harness
• Treats
• Old towel or blanket
• Dog carrier
• List of questions or concerns
• Notes on what kind and how much food your puppy has been eating

If your vet lets you fill out their intake paperwork ahead of time, it’s best to try to write it all down at home instead of struggling with a squirming puppy in your lap. You should take your puppy into the office attached to a leash but try to keep them off the floor before they’ve had their vaccines to prevent them from being exposed to infectious diseases. If you feel like you can’t carry them in your arms or keep them in your lap, you might want to bring them in their crate instead. 

Your puppy’s first consultation starts with a thorough exam around 6-8 weeks old. Your vet will thoroughly assess their skin, fur, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, teeth, feet, and genitalia. They will also weigh your puppy and check their heart rate. Finally, they will check for intestinal parasites and conduct a fecal exam. They’ll likely ask you to bring along a stool sample from your puppy, but they’ll let you know in advance. If they don’t ask, they will likely collect one during the appointment.

1. Vaccinations

Puppies are due for their first round of shots by the time they’re 6-8 weeks old. Since most reputable breeders start adopting their puppies out between 8 and 12 weeks old, chances are that they haven’t received all of their shots yet. On your initial vet visit, your puppy will often receive their first round of vaccinations.

 On later trips, puppies will need further rounds of vaccinations (generally about every three weeks until 16 weeks of age). So remember to keep up with their vaccination schedule!

There are two core vaccines — The first is commonly noted as DAPP or DHPP. This combo vaccine protects puppies against canine distemper, canine hepatitis Trusted Source The Merck Veterinary Manual Trusted provider of veterinary medicine. Go to source , parainfluenza, and parvovirus. The second core vaccine is the rabies vaccine. This might be given on their first vet visit or follow-up appointments depending on the dog’s age and the relevant state laws. 

There are also other non-core vaccinations — These will vary based on location and lifestyle, including whether pups spend more time outdoors or indoors, or are exposed to dog parks or other animals frequently. This includes canine influenza, leptospirosis Trusted Source Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary school. Go to source , and bordetella, or kennel cough. If you live in a rural area that sees a lot of snakes, your vet may also recommend a rattlesnake venom vaccine to give your dog some time in case they’re ever bitten far away from a hospital.

2. Preventative medications 

You should talk to your vet about flea and tick control as well as heartworm prevention on your puppy’s first visit. Based on several factors, flea and tick prevention could consist of oral medication, topical treatment, or a specialized collar. The American Heartworm Society recommends year-round flea and tick prevention for all dogs in the USA. Many puppies are born with worms, so they will also need a dewormer. 

3. Nutrition 

Your vet will also be able to give you advice on what type of food your dog should be eating and how much at each life stage. It’s important to know what type of food you’re already feeding your puppy, as well as how much, and discuss these things with your vet. They’ll either approve it or may recommend a diet that’s more appropriate for their breed, life stage, or individual health. 

Optional procedures worth discussing with your vet 

Microchipping your puppy isn’t mandatory, but your vet will likely recommend it. The process involved inserting a small electronic chip between your dog’s shoulder blades. That way, if your dog ever gets lost, any vet will be able to identify them by scanning the microchip. You can have a microchip implanted during a regular visit or during the spaying/neutering procedure. 

👉 If you prefer not to microchip, you might invest in a tracking device or a FidoTabby Alert collar in case they ever get lost. 

Spaying or neutering may be something you’ll want to consider. Besides preventing unwanted canine pregnancy (and a large number of puppies in shelters), spaying and neutering have some benefits, such as reducing some health risks and helping with behavior problems.

Once that all-important first visit is in the books, it’s essential to follow up by scheduling future appointments for your puppy to complete their vaccination schedule. For most of the core vaccinations, puppies will need the first round at 6-8 weeks, the second round at 9-11 weeks, the third round at 12-14 weeks, and the fourth round at 16-17 weeks. After that, there will be booster shots when they’re a year old.

However, this schedule varies slightly from vaccination to vaccination. For rabies, the first vaccination will happen at around 12-16 weeks (depending on state law), and then there will be booster shots from 12-36 months depending on if they received the annual or 3-year rabies vaccine.

The price of your dog’s first veterinary appointment will depend on a variety of factors, such as your geographic location and the size of your pet. Some vet clinics may offer package deals to keep the costs down, such as veterinary wellness programs, but not all do. 

Here’s a ballpark estimate of what you’d typically expect to pay individually for several procedures:

Spaying and neutering costs are more varied and often depend on the dog’s weight. Costs can range anywhere from around $45 at a low-cost clinic to as much as $300 or more at an animal hospital. Spaying will usually cost a bit more than neutering because it is a more complicated process. 

If you want more details, you can always call your local vet office for a more precise quote, as well as any potential financing options, so you can know how to plan ahead. 

Your puppy’s first visit to the vet can feel daunting, especially if you’re a new pet parent. However, once you’ve been a few times for regular visits, you’ll feel like a pro. Preparing everything you need beforehand can help you (and your new pet) feel more confident on the big day, and start them out strong for the amazing adventure you’ll have together in the years ahead.