Care for Puppies & Kittens
Bringing home a new puppy or kitten is reason to get excited! This cute and cuddly new member of the family won't be able to help but to bring a smile to the face of everyone who interacts with them.
As fun as your new pet may be, there are also some serious health care business pieces that you will need to take care of during your pet's first year as well.
Your vet will develop a custom health care plan to meet your pet's specific needs during their first year, and provide you with plenty of support and guidance along the way!
Your Pet’s First Appointment
Puppies should, ideally, have their first veterinary appointment at about 6-weeks-old. Kittens should have theirs at about 8-weeks-old.
At this first visit, your pet will receive a comprehensive physical examination in order to assess their overall health, to search for signs of any congenital defects and to check for external parasites.
We will also administer deworming medications for roundworms and hookworms, and the first round of puppy or kitten vaccinations.
More About Vaccines & Prevention
Finally, for kittens, we will perform a blood test to check for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus.
Follow-up Appointments
Kittens and puppies should attend three or four veterinary appointments while they are between the ages of 6 and 16 weeks. These allow our vets to assess your pet's overall health and to administer vaccinations on schedule.
Puppy & Kitten Care Routines
Bringing home a new puppy or kitten is an exciting milestone, but it comes with many responsibilities.
Goleta Airport Pet Hospital is here to help you navigate your kitten or puppy's first year, and to provide lots of guidance, support and helpful advice.
Our Kitten Packages and Puppy Care Routines have everything you'll need to know about your new pet's early development, including:
- A vaccination and medical care schedule
- Information on spaying and neutering your pet
- Information on common medical problems such as heartworm disease, feline leukemia, and zoonosis
- Tips for how to socialize your puppy or kitten with animals and people, including pets already living in your home
- Basic puppy training guidelines
- Nutrition information
Our vets are always happy to answer any questions you may have, and to ease any worries or concerns you might have. We'd love to ensure that you and your new puppy or kitten have everything you need to start a wonderful life together!