New Puppy or Kitten? Your First Vet Visit Checklist

The first vet visit sets the tone for your new pet's whole medical history — it's when their official record starts. A little preparation makes the visit smoother and means you walk out with everything you need instead of a stack of papers you'll misplace by next week.

What to bring

• Any paperwork from the shelter, breeder, or previous owner — especially prior vaccine or deworming records
• A stool sample if your vet's office asks for one ahead of time (common for a first visit, to check for parasites)
• A list of any behaviors or symptoms you've noticed, even minor ones
• Something familiar-smelling for a nervous pet, like a small blanket

What typically happens at the visit

• A full physical exam — weight, heart and lungs, eyes, ears, teeth, skin and coat
• Starting or continuing the core vaccine series
• A fecal test for intestinal parasites, and a deworming treatment if needed
• A discussion of spay/neuter timing
• Microchipping, if not already done
• Nutrition and feeding guidance for their breed and life stage

Questions worth asking

• What's the full vaccine schedule for the next few months, and when's the next appointment?
• What's a healthy weight range for this breed, and how will we track it?
• What flea, tick, and heartworm prevention do you recommend here?
• When should we plan for spay/neuter?
• What symptoms should send us back in sooner than the next scheduled visit?

What you'll walk out with

Expect a vaccine record, a deworming/parasite test result, a recommended schedule for the next few visits, and possibly a printed summary of the exam. This is the start of your pet's permanent medical history — worth keeping somewhere you can actually find it later.