Puppy & Kitten Health Checks Explained: What Happens During These First Appointments?
Quick Answer: Puppy and kitten health checks are early veterinary appointments that assess your new pet’s general health, growth, behaviour, vaccination needs, parasite protection and diet. At West Wickham Veterinary Surgery, these first visits also give owners practical advice, help spot problems early and support a healthy start in life.
Introduction
Bringing home a new puppy or kitten is exciting, but it also comes with lots of questions. Many local pet owners in West Wickham, Bromley and South East London ask us what actually happens at those first vet appointments, and whether they are just for vaccinations. In reality, these early visits are about much more than injections.
At West Wickham Veterinary Surgery we regularly help new owners understand their puppy or kitten’s needs from the very beginning. First health checks are designed to make sure your pet is developing well, to identify any concerns early, and to help you feel confident about feeding, behaviour, parasite prevention and routine care. You can explore our health checks and clinics if you would like to see the broader support we offer.
As an RCVS Accredited Practice, we are committed to high standards of patient care and practical advice for pet owners across West Wickham and the surrounding areas.
Main Content
Why early puppy and kitten checks matter
The first few months of life are an important time for growth and development. During this stage, small issues can sometimes be picked up before they become bigger problems. Our veterinary team often advises owners that early checks are helpful even when a puppy or kitten seems perfectly well.
These appointments allow us to:
- Check your pet’s overall health from nose to tail
- Monitor weight and growth
- Discuss vaccination timing
- Recommend suitable flea, worm and parasite prevention
- Talk through feeding, toileting and behaviour
- Answer questions about settling in, socialisation and routine care
If you are preparing for your first visit, you may also wish to register your pet in advance or use our online booking page to arrange an appointment.
What happens during a puppy or kitten health check?
At West Wickham Veterinary Surgery, a first appointment usually starts with a conversation. We will ask where your puppy or kitten came from, what they are eating, how they are behaving at home, and whether you have noticed anything unusual.
We then carry out a full physical examination. This commonly includes checking:
- Eyes, ears and mouth
- Skin and coat condition
- Heart and lungs
- Teeth and gums
- Tummy and digestion
- Joints and movement
- Weight and body condition
- Hydration
- In males, whether both testicles have descended where appropriate
Our experienced veterinary team regularly helps owners understand that this examination is gentle, thorough and tailored to your pet’s age. We also look for things such as hernias, retained baby teeth later on, signs of parasites, or congenital issues, which means problems a pet is born with.
Vaccinations and preventative care
For many puppies and kittens, these first visits include planning or starting a vaccination course. We explain what vaccines are recommended, when boosters are due, and when it is safe to begin exploring the outside world more widely.
Preventative care is another big part of the appointment. Our veterinary team often advises on:
- Flea prevention
- Worming schedules
- Tick awareness
- Microchipping
- Neutering plans
- Insurance and long-term healthcare budgeting
You can find useful information about our preventative healthcare options, as well as our Little VIP plans for young pets.
For owners looking for ongoing support, our Puppy VIP Plan and Kitten VIP Plan can help spread the cost of routine care while keeping important treatments on schedule.
Feeding, growth and behaviour advice
Many early appointments involve practical discussions about daily life at home. In our experience supporting pets across West Wickham, Bromley and South East London, feeding and behaviour are two of the most common topics owners want help with.
We may discuss:
- How much to feed and how often
- Choosing an appropriate life-stage diet
- Toilet training or litter training
- Normal play behaviour and biting
- Sleep routines
- Safe socialisation
- Introducing children or other pets
If needed, follow-up support can sometimes be arranged through our video consultations, which can be useful for certain non-urgent advice and check-ins.
What should you bring to the first appointment?
To help us make the most of the visit, it is useful to bring:
- Any paperwork from the breeder, rescue or previous owner
- Vaccination record if one has been started
- Details of current food
- A list of any questions you want to ask
- A fresh stool sample if requested
Puppies should come on a secure lead or in a safe carrier if they are very small. Kittens should always travel in a secure cat carrier. Many local pet owners tell us they feel more relaxed once they realise these first visits are as much about owner support as they are about examining the pet.
What We Commonly See at West Wickham Veterinary Surgery
At West Wickham Veterinary Surgery we regularly help new owners who are unsure what is normal in the first few weeks. One of the most common concerns we hear is whether a puppy or kitten is eating enough, sleeping too much, or behaving strangely. In many cases, normal young pet behaviour can look worrying when you are new to it.
Many local pet owners ask us about:
- Soft stools after a change in diet or environment
- Scratching and whether it could be fleas
- Puppy nipping and kitten climbing
- How soon vaccinations can start
- When to begin worming and flea treatment
- Shyness, crying at night or hiding behaviour
A common misunderstanding is that the first appointment is only needed if something seems wrong. In fact, we commonly see healthy puppies and kittens who benefit greatly from early checks, simply because it gives us the chance to guide owners and establish a preventative care plan.
Our local veterinary team also regularly helps identify issues such as mild skin problems, ear debris, tummy upsets, heart murmurs, or developmental concerns that owners may not have noticed. Early assessment does not always mean there is a serious problem, but it can help us decide whether monitoring, treatment or further investigation is needed. Where more complex care is required, we also offer advanced surgery and medicine services and hospitalisation facilities where appropriate.
Practical Advice
There are a few simple ways to make first appointments easier and more useful:
- Book early. Do not wait until vaccines are overdue or supplies run low.
- Keep a note of questions. It is easy to forget them on the day.
- Bring your pet hungry if advised. Small treats can help create a positive experience.
- Use a secure carrier or lead. This helps reduce stress and keeps your pet safe.
- Stick to recommended parasite prevention. Young pets are more vulnerable to worms and fleas.
- Ask about ongoing support. Our VIP plans can be helpful for routine preventative care.
If you are comparing costs before your visit, you can also view our prices online. For families settling in with a new pet, it is often reassuring to plan routine care early rather than trying to organise everything at once.
When To Contact A Vet
While many puppies and kittens simply need routine checks, some symptoms should be assessed promptly. Our experienced veterinary team regularly helps local pet owners decide whether a concern can wait for a planned appointment or needs earlier attention.
You should contact a vet if your puppy or kitten has:
- Vomiting or diarrhoea that is severe, repeated or ongoing
- Not eaten for an unusual length of time
- Marked lethargy or weakness
- Coughing, sneezing with discharge, or breathing changes
- A swollen tummy
- Persistent scratching, hair loss or skin irritation
- Pain, limping or difficulty moving
- Any sudden change in behaviour that concerns you
If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure, has eaten something toxic, or is in severe pain, contact a vet immediately. We provide 24-hour emergency veterinary care for urgent situations.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should a puppy have its first health check?
Ideally, as soon as possible after coming home. This helps us confirm general health, review vaccination status and discuss parasite prevention and feeding.
When should a kitten have its first health check?
Kittens should also be seen soon after arriving home, even if they seem well. Early checks are useful for growth monitoring, vaccination planning and general advice.
Are first appointments only about vaccinations?
No. Vaccinations are important, but these visits also cover full physical examination, diet, behaviour, parasite control, development and owner questions.
What if my puppy or kitten seems healthy?
That is still the right time for a check. Many important discussions happen before problems appear, which is a key part of good preventative care.
Can I ask about insurance and healthcare plans?
Yes. We commonly help owners understand routine care costs and available options, including our VIP Health Plan and current offers.
Do you only see dogs and cats?
No. We also support rabbits and small pets, and can advise on first checks and preventative care for them too through our veterinary services.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for general guidance only. If your pet is unwell, showing concerning symptoms, or you are unsure what to do, please contact your vet for professional advice.
Book Your Puppy or Kitten’s First Appointment
If you have welcomed a new pet into your home, we are here to help you get started with practical, supportive veterinary care. At West Wickham Veterinary Surgery, we support pets and owners across West Wickham, Bromley and South East London with early health checks, preventative care and advice for every life stage.
You can book an appointment online, register your pet, or contact our veterinary team if you would like to arrange a health check or ask about the right plan for your puppy or kitten. You can also visit the West Wickham Veterinary Surgery homepage for further information about our practice and services.
