Book your puppy’s first vet visit within the first few days to a week after bringing it home. Puppies are vulnerable to infections such as parvovirus, and the first visit sets up a vaccine and parasite plan that protects them during these early months.
This guide is part of our vet visit schedule guide.
When to take your puppy to the vet
- Within the first week of bringing your puppy home.
- Immediately if your puppy has vomiting, diarrhoea (especially bloody), lethargy, refuses food, or coughs with nasal discharge. Parvovirus can be fatal in young puppies and needs urgent care.
What happens at the first visit
| Step | What the vet does |
|---|---|
| Full exam | Weight, eyes, ears, mouth and bite, heart (checking for murmurs), lungs, abdomen, hernias, skin, coat, joints and genitals |
| Vaccines | Starts or continues the core series |
| Deworming | Puppies are commonly dewormed repeatedly in early life |
| Parasite prevention | Flea, tick and, where relevant, heartworm prevention suited to your area |
| Fecal check | Tests for intestinal parasites |
| Microchip | Can usually be done at this or a later visit |
| Advice | Food, house training, socialisation, chewing, crate training and spay/neuter timing |
Puppy vaccine schedule
- Core vaccines: canine distemper, parvovirus and adenovirus (hepatitis), usually combined, often with parainfluenza. Given from 6 to 8 weeks, every 2 to 4 weeks, until about 16 weeks or older.
- Rabies: given according to local law, commonly from around 12 to 16 weeks.
- Leptospirosis: recommended in many regions, including much of India, where exposure risk is high.
- Lifestyle vaccines: such as Bordetella (kennel cough) for puppies that will meet many dogs.
- Booster: around 1 year of age.
See our full dog vaccination schedule.
Puppy first vet visit checklist
- Records from the breeder or shelter: vaccines, deworming, date of birth
- Fresh stool sample
- A lead, collar or harness, or a secure carrier for small puppies
- Treats to make the visit positive
- Notes on diet and any concerns
- Your questions
Questions to ask your puppy vet
- When is it safe for my puppy to walk outside and meet other dogs?
- What should I feed, and how much?
- Which parasite prevention is needed here?
- When should my puppy be neutered or spayed, given its breed?
- Are there breed-specific health checks I should plan for?
- Do you run puppy socialisation classes or recommend any?
Socialisation and safety
Puppies have a sensitive socialisation window in their first few months. Vets balance infection risk against the need for safe socialisation. Ask your vet how to socialise your puppy with vaccinated dogs and controlled experiences before the vaccine course is complete.
Related guides
- Dog vaccination schedule
- How often should dogs go to the vet?
- Kitten’s first vet visit
- Dog wellness exam
This guide is general information for pet owners and is not a substitute for an examination by a licensed veterinarian. If your pet is unwell, contact your vet.
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