Care for Puppies & Kittens
Taking home a new puppy or kitten home is a joyous occasion! This adorable new family member can't help but make everyone that meets them smile
As exciting as this is, there are also some very important healthcare matters you will need to take care of before your new companion's first birthday.
Your vet will develop a customized plan that's designed to meet the specific healthcare needs of your pet during their first year. Your veterinarian will also offer you lots of guidance and support along the way.
Your Pet’s First Appointment
Puppies should attend their first veterinary appointment when they are approximately six weeks of age, and kittens when they are about eight weeks.
At this visit, we will give your pet a full physical examination to evaluate their overall health, check for external parasites, and look for signs of any congenital defects.
We will also provide your new furry companion with deworming medications for roundworms and hookworms, and give them their first round of kitten or puppy vaccinations.
More About Vaccines & Prevention
Finally, for kittens, we'll conduct a blood test to look for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus.
Follow-up Appointments
Puppies and kittens should attend 3 to 4 veterinary appointments when they are between the ages of 6 and 16 weeks. These visits let our vets evaluate your pet's overall health and give them their vaccines on schedule.
Helpful Advice on Puppy & Kitten Care
When you bring home a new puppy or kitten, you will be taking on a lot of new responsibilities.
To help you through your puppy or kitten's first year, our team will give you lots of guidance, support, and helpful information.
During your first appointment and subsequent visits, we can offer advice on everything you'll need to know and answer questions you may have about your pet's early development. Topics of discussion may include:
- Nutrition information
- Information on spaying and neutering your pet
- A vaccination and medical care schedule
- Tips for how to socialize your puppy or kitten with animals and people, including pets, already living in your home.
- Information on common medical problems such as heartworm disease, feline leukemia, and zoonosis
- Basic puppy training guidelines
Our vets are here to answer any questions you might have and to put any of your concerns or worries to rest. We want to make sure that you and your puppy or kitten have everything you need to begin a wonderful life together!
New Patients Welcome
Grass Valley Veterinary Hospital is accepting new patients! Our experienced vets are passionate about caring for pets in the Grass Valley area. Contact us today to book your pet's first appointment.