Your puppy’s health is your first priority, so it’s important to schedule their first vet appointment in a timely manner. Going to the vet can be nerve-wracking for pups and owners alike, but these tips from the Embark veterinary team will help make it a positive experience.
You should schedule the first vet appointment for your puppy as soon as they’re eight weeks old. If you brought home a puppy older than that, schedule an appointment within your first three days with them. Even if they’ve seen a veterinarian before, you need to find a local vet for ongoing care.
Before the first appointment: Choosing a vet
The vet you choose is an important decision. You can start by checking the American Animal Hospital Association’s website for accredited animal hospitals. Their hospital locator will show hospitals near you that go above and beyond the state-required standards of care. You can also ask friends and family members in your neighborhood for recommendations.
Once you have a list of hospitals, go to their websites to find out more about the type of care they offer and what their practice focuses on. For example, “Fear Free” is a new movement in the veterinary world to make dogs happy and comfortable when coming to the vet. Fear Free hospitals may be more willing to take their time to ensure a positive experience for their patients.
Go beyond the website and call each hospital that interests you to try scheduling an appointment. What kind of impression do they set? Was the receptionist courteous, positive, and informative? You want to go to a vet clinic with friendly and accommodating staff.
Once your first vet appointment is scheduled
Before you head to the first vet appointment for your puppy, make sure to bring the following:
- Record of vaccinations
- Record of dewormings
- Brand of food currently being fed
- Brand of food you’re thinking of switching to, if different than what the breeder/shelter was feeding
- Fresh stool sample
Your puppy will probably be a little nervous once you get to the clinic. To help them stay calm, keep them close by you while waiting to be seen. Don’t allow your puppy to wander around off-leash in the office (even though they may want to explore). There’ll be other dogs coming and going, and you don’t know if they’re friendly or not. It’s best to keep your puppy in your lap or in a travel crate if they’re used to that.
It’s never a bad idea to have treats on standby to reward your puppy during each step of the process. The veterinary staff will probably have plenty of treats as well (especially if it’s a Fear Free clinic).
The most important thing you can do to help is to stay calm. According to a study published in Springer Learning & Behavior, dogs are able to recognize and respond to their owner’s emotional state. If you’re nervous, they’ll be nervous. So remember to remain positive and encouraging.
Q&A’s for the first vet appointment with your puppy
Your puppy’s first vet appointment will be filled with a lot of questions. You should ask the vet the following:
- What type of diet do you recommend?
- What type of flea/tick/heartworm preventative do you recommend?
- How can I socialize my puppy before they’re fully vaccinated?
- Do you know any good trainers or puppy classes in the area?
- What’s the schedule for vaccines and deworming my puppy?
- What’s the right spay/neuter age?
On the other hand, be prepared to answer the following questions from your vet:
- Where did you get the puppy?
- Has the puppy undergone any shots or deworming?
- What food is the puppy currently eating?
- Are you planning to breed with the puppy or spay/neuter them?
- What will the dog’s role be? Family pet, hunting, ESA/therapy?
- Do you have any other pets at home?
- Do you plan to go hiking, camping, or traveling with the puppy?
- Are you crate training?
Procedures and pricing
It’s helpful to know exactly what to expect during your puppy’s first visit. Usually, a veterinarian runs the following procedures:
- A DA2PP/DHPP vaccine is given at the first appointment if the breeder or shelter has not given it already.
- Deworming may be given in the hospital or sent home with you.
- Flea treatment may be given or sent home with you.
- A vet may try to obtain a stool sample if you did not bring one.
The total cost of the first appointment is widely variable depending on the exact procedures, the clinic’s policies, your geographical area, and the puppy’s medical history. The average cost ranges from free to $150. Some clinics offer coupons or fee waivers for first-time appointments, though. You can ask about this before scheduling your appointment.
Pet insurance
Pet insurance isn’t necessary for your puppy’s first vet appointment, but you should look into it for ongoing care. During the appointment, ask the vet for recommendations on insurance plans. Some pet insurance companies even offer free coverage for one month after your first vet appointment if you fill out a form.
Keep in mind that most pet insurance companies require a physical exam because they don’t cover preexisting conditions. Do some research on how comprehensive different plans are and how much you’ll have to pay. For example, do they cover wellness appointments and genetic conditions?
After the appointment
Once your puppy’s first vet appointment is over, give them time and space to unwind. The excitement from being out of the house and meeting so many new people will probably tire them out. Let them go to the bathroom when you get home and then put them in their crate to rest. If they received vaccinations, keep a close eye on them to see if they have any adverse reactions.
You’ll probably leave the appointment with a few follow up appointments, so make sure you have those marked on your calendar. As you take your puppy to the vet more often, they’ll become comfortable with the environment and staff.
BONUS new puppy checklist included in this download. Be sure to check back for more puppy tips.
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At their first puppy vet check, your pup will have a thorough examination and your vet will discuss puppy vaccinations with you. They will need to see details of any previous vaccinations and treatments which your breeder or the rescue centre should have supplied, so make sure you take those along.
Ideally, your vet should see your puppy at least once a year, and more frequently at the start or if they have special medical needs.
You’re a few days away from picking up your new puppy, and everyone is too excited to sleep. You have a new leash, collar, toys, and a crate, but what are you forgetting? Have you scheduled your puppy’s first vet visit yet?
It may seem early, but your puppy should head to the vet during the first week at their new home. It is your responsibility to keep your puppy in top shape, and your veterinarian can help establish the guidelines for success.
First Puppy Vet Visit
Finding the Right Vet
One of the best ways to find a veterinarian is to ask friends, neighbors, or even someone you see walking their dog or at the dog park for a local vet recommendation. You can even use social media to ask neighbors where they take their pets.
Finding a clinic near home is convenient for picking up supplies or emergency visits. You can also call a few clinics and check their websites for vital information, such as hours, how they handle emergencies, services they offer, and other criteria that may be important to you. The American Animal Hospital Association’s hospital locator tool is another excellent resource for pet owners struggling to find the right vet in their area.
Some clinics allow you to fill out new client information forms online. Their website may provide information for new puppy owners about the paperwork required for their first vet visit. The recent vet shortage is causing some challenges for pet owners to find vets and nearby clinics, so do your research.
Make a Checklist for Your Pet's First Vet Visit
When you make your appointment, the customer service representative or vet technician will tell you what items to bring to the first vet visit. In general, veterinarians will need a copy of your puppy’s medical records and relevant paperwork from the breeder, shelter, or rescue organization. Also, bring any medications your puppy is on, as your breeder may recommend a flea or heartworm medication. It’s possible there are drug contraindications and what your puppy is taking may no longer be necessary.
Part of your checklist should include the following information:
- Record of vaccinations from the breeder
- Any medical records from the breeder
- Brand of food you’re currently feeding
- Record of dewormings
As you gear up for the trip, don't forget to prep your dog for travel, so the car ride to their first veterinary visit is a positive experience. For example, bring a comfortable blanket or their crate... and plenty of treats.
What Happens at a Puppy’s First Visit?
There are some standard procedures to expect during the first visit. A head-to-tail wellness exam will be done by the vet and vet technician. Your vet team will also use treats to ensure the experience is positive, as they want your puppy to enjoy being there.
The exam will include:
- Taking the puppy's vital signs (temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate), getting their weight, and discussing diet and general well-being (activity level, appetite, and any problems you may have experienced).
- A comprehensive physical exam, including listening to the heart and lungs, palpating the abdomen, and conducting an oral exam.
- The vet will also check your dog’s mouth, ears, eyes, nose, and toes, as well as the skin and coat. They will also recommend core vaccinations and deworming medications for future visits.
Questions to Ask Your Veterinary Team During the Head-to-Tail Exam
Your veterinarian is the best person to ask health-related questions about your new puppy. Their job is to ensure your dog is healthy, so keeping you informed about how to best care for your puppy is in their best interest!
Consider the following list of questions for your pet’s first vet visit:
Questions About Your Puppy’s Core Vaccines
- What vaccines does my puppy need? Core vaccines include protection against diseases such as canine parvovirus, canine distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and rabies. Non-core vaccines such as Bordetella (kennel cough), Lyme disease, and canine flu vaccine recommendations will depend on risk factors such as boarding plans, exposure to dog parks, contact with ticks, and other considerations based on your geographic location.
- When does my puppy need this series of vaccines? The first vaccination is given around 8 weeks, and booster shots are given every 3 to 4 weeks until about 20 weeks. It is a good idea for some miniature breed dogs to have their vaccines spaced out longer than larger dogs. Specific recommendations will depend on the age and size of your dog.
- Are there possible side effects resulting from the vaccinations? For example, if there is any swelling at the vaccination site or your dog has an allergic reaction, you must return to the vet immediately.
What Are the General Care Recommendations for a New Puppy?
There are several important things every dog owner should know how to do, even if you plan on taking your pet to the groomer. Your vet will be happy to answer questions about:
- Dental care and oral hygiene advice, including best methods for canine tooth brushing, appropriate chew, dental toys, and supplements, and the teething process
- Best methods for cleaning dog ears and trimming toenails
- Best age for a spay/neuter
- Recommendations for microchipping
- Possible health issues based on breed
- Grooming tips
For answers to many of these questions, read Top 8 New Puppy Questions.
What Will the Vet Visit Cost?
This first visit should kick off the annual exams that occur throughout your dog’s lifetime. The average cost of veterinary care for your puppy during their first year ranges from $100 to $500. It includes the core vaccinations they’ll need, like canine parvovirus, canine hepatitis, and rabies.
You can save a few dollars on office fees by taking advantage of the AKC Veterinary Network Certificate Program. This program provides newly AKC registered puppies and dogs with a certificate for a complimentary first veterinary office visit when taken to veterinarians in their network.
Learn more about the costs of veterinary care in the first year here.
Puppy insurance is also a great way to reduce financial stress brought on by vet visits. Everyone wants their dog to be the picture of good health, but accidents and illnesses can occur even with the best care. Even diseases like canine parvovirus can be both life-threatening and expensive to treat, with care costing thousands of dollars in some cases.
Another thing for puppy owners to keep in mind is that most pet insurance companies exclude pre-existing conditions, denying coverage for injuries or illnesses that occur before a policy. AKC Pet Insurance (underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company) is the ONLY brand that offers pre-existing condition coverage after a 12-month waiting period*. Click here for a quote and create a custom plan that fits your pet and your budget.
*Not available in all states. “Only brand“ refers to comparison with 5 pet insurance carriers making up approximately 80% of the US pet insurance market (Nationwide, ASPCA, Trupanion, HealthyPaws and PetPlan).
Schedule Future Visits Before You Leave the Vet's Office
Don’t forget to schedule future visits for puppy shots before you leave the vet's office, as most vaccinations require boosters to be effective. Vaccines are generally necessary every 3 to 4 weeks until 20 weeks. Keeping your dog on a regular exam schedule for preventive healthcare is key to a long and healthy life!