A calm, confident start to a lifetime of good health.
Your puppy's first visit to the vet
Bringing your puppy home is exciting and one of the first important steps in responsible puppy care is planning their first vet visit. A positive early experience helps build trust, reduces stress in future appointments, and ensures your puppy gets the right health checks, vaccinations and worming treatment from the very beginning.
Here’s what to expect – and how to prepare.
When should a puppy first go to the vet?
Even if your puppy has already visited a vet with the breeder for their first puppy inoculations, it's a good idea to book your own appointment within a few days of bringing them home.
This first visit is more than just a routine puppy health check. It allows your vet to:
- Review vaccination records
- Discuss the correct puppy vaccinations schedule
- Set up a puppy worming schedule
- Check overall development
- Answer any early questions about feeding, behaviour or insurance
From this point on, your puppy should follow a regular puppy vet visits schedule, typically including several visits in the first year and then annual health checks.
What happens during a puppy health check?
Your vet will perform a full clinical examination to ensure your puppy is developing as expected. This usually includes checking:
- Eyes and ears
- Mouth and teeth
- Heart and lungs
- Skin and coat
- Weight and body condition
- Mobility and joints
These early puppy vet checks are essential for detecting potential health concerns before they become serious.
To help the appointment go smoothly:
- Bring healthy treats for positive reinforcement
- Stay calm and relaxed
- Reward calm behaviour
- Avoid reinforcing anxious reactions
You can also help at home by gently handling your puppy regularly – checking their ears, brushing their teeth and touching their paws. This makes future vet visits much easier.
Puppy vaccinations: What you need to know
Puppy vaccinations usually begin at around 6–8 weeks of age, followed by booster injections at approximately 12 and 16 weeks.
Core puppy vaccinations commonly protect against:
- Parvovirus
- Distemper
- Infectious hepatitis
- Leptospirosis
- Rabies (depending on country regulations)
- Lyme disease (in certain areas)
Sticking to the recommended puppy vaccinations schedule is essential to protect your puppy from serious infectious diseases.
If you plan to travel abroad, make sure your puppy’s vaccination booklet meets the regulations of your destination country.
Puppy worming treatment & schedule
Parasite control is another key part of your puppy’s early healthcare plan.
Your vet will advise on the correct puppy worming treatment and explain how often to worm a puppy. In general:
- Puppies are wormed every 2 weeks until 12 weeks of age
- Then monthly until 6 months
- After that, frequency depends on lifestyle and risk factors
Following a consistent puppy worming schedule helps protect not only your dog, but also your household.
Microchipping & neutering: planning ahead
Your vet may recommend microchipping if it hasn’t already been done by the breeder. This simple procedure can help lost pets be identified and reunited with their owners. However, a microchip only works if the pet is registered in a recognised database and the contact details are kept up to date. Your veterinary practice may be able to register the chip for you, but this requires the owner’s consent.
You may also discuss neutering or spaying. There are advantages and considerations to weigh – including behavioural effects, population control and potential health impacts. Your vet can guide you based on your puppy’s breed, size and lifestyle.
Pet insurance: should you consider it early?
Many new owners ask about pet insurance during their first vet visit. There are different types of cover available — from accident-only policies to lifetime cover plans.
If you're wondering what are the 4 types of pet insurance, they typically include:
- Accident-only
- Time-limited
- Maximum benefit
- Lifetime cover
Discussing insurance early can help you make an informed decision before unexpected health issues arise.
A strong start for a healthy future
Your puppy’s first visit to the vet sets the foundation for a lifetime of confident, stress-free care. By following the right puppy vet visits schedule, staying consistent with vaccinations, worming treatments and other preventive measures. Maintaining regular health checks, you’re giving your puppy the best possible start.
And remember – no question is too small. Your vet is your partner in keeping your puppy happy and healthy for years to come.
Frequently asked questions
A puppy should visit the vet within a few days of coming home, even if they have already seen a vet with the breeder. Early visits establish a health baseline and ensure the correct vaccination and worming schedule is in place.
This appointment also allows your vet to check development, review paperwork and answer questions about feeding, behaviour and preventative care.
During the first year, puppies typically visit the vet several times for vaccinations, health checks and parasite treatments. After their initial vaccination course is complete, most dogs move to annual health checks.
Your vet may adjust the puppy vet visits schedule depending on breed, size and individual health needs.
Puppy vaccinations usually begin between 6 and 8 weeks of age. Booster injections are typically given at 12 weeks and again at 16 weeks.
Following the recommended puppy vaccinations schedule is essential to protect against serious infectious diseases such as parvovirus, distemper and leptospirosis.
In many countries, microchipping is legally required. Even where it is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended. A microchip allows lost pets to be quickly identified and reunited with their owners.
The procedure is quick, safe and usually done during a routine vet visit.
To make the experience positive:
- Bring treats for calm reinforcement
- Keep your energy relaxed
- Avoid crowded clinic times if possible
- Bring vaccination records or breeder paperwork
You can also help by gently handling your puppy at home so they become comfortable with being examined.
