Your new puppy or kitten deserves a great start. We’ll show you what’s important, what’s optional, and what you can relax about.
Yorktown Heights, NY • Dogs, Cats & Exotics • See our Google reviews
Bringing home a puppy or kitten is joy mixed with a giant stack of questions. Which vaccines, on what schedule? Why are they still sneezing? What food, how much, for how long? When is neutering? We answer all of it, without judgment and without upselling.
What Is Puppy and Kitten Care?
Puppy and kitten care is the full package of first-year wellness: physical exam, vaccine series, parasite prevention, deworming, spay/neuter planning, nutrition guidance, and early behavior counseling. Getting the first year right sets the tone for a long, healthy life.
Why Those First Visits Matter
Catch Congenital Issues Early: Heart murmurs, hernias, dental malocclusions, and parasites are common in young pets and easier to treat now than later.
The Vaccine Window Matters: Puppies and kittens need a structured vaccine series to build immunity. Missing doses leaves them vulnerable.
Socialization Is Time-Sensitive: The 8 to 16 week window is when puppies and kittens form lifelong attitudes toward people, other animals, and new experiences.
Build the Bond Early: Frequent, low-stress early visits help your pet see the clinic as friendly, not scary, for their whole life.
What to Expect at a Puppy or Kitten Visit
Before Your Visit
Bring any records from the breeder, shelter, or prior clinic (vaccines, dewormings, health certificates). Have a stool sample ready if possible, and write down food brand, amount, and schedule.
During the Appointment
Nose-to-Tail Exam: Full physical, weight, body condition, heart and lungs, eyes, ears, teeth, skin, and joints.
Vaccines & Deworming: Age-appropriate vaccine doses, dewormer, and a fecal check for intestinal parasites.
Q&A: A long, relaxed discussion on nutrition, socialization, housebreaking or litter training, biting, neutering, microchipping, early behavior, and anything else on your list.
Follow-Up and Aftercare
A clear schedule for upcoming visits, written at-home care notes, and quick-reply contact if anything surprises you between visits.
How Often Should a Puppy or Kitten Be Seen?
- Puppies (typically 6 to 16 weeks): Every 3 to 4 weeks for the vaccine series, then a spay/neuter and adult-wellness transition visit.
- Kittens (typically 6 to 16 weeks): Similar schedule with FVRCP vaccines, deworming, FIV/FeLV testing, and a spay/neuter visit.
- Through the first year: A mid-year check around 6 to 9 months, then the first adult annual at 12 to 14 months.
Schedule Your Puppy or Kitten’s First Visit in Yorktown Heights, NY
Heights Hospital for Animals guides new puppy and kitten owners in Yorktown Heights, NY through the whole first year, with straight answers and unhurried visits. Congratulations on the new addition, and welcome.
