Puppy & Kitten Health Checks Explained: What Happens During These First Appointments?

Quick Answer: Puppy and kitten first appointments are designed to check your new pet’s overall health, discuss vaccinations, parasite treatment, feeding, behaviour, microchipping and preventative care. At Winton Lodge Veterinary Clinic, we use these early visits to answer your questions, spot any concerns early, and help your pet get the best possible start in life.

Introduction

Bringing home a new puppy or kitten is exciting, but it also comes with plenty of questions. Many local pet owners in Epsom, Leatherhead and across Surrey ask us what actually happens during those first vet visits, and whether they really matter if their pet seems well.

The short answer is yes. Early health checks are an important part of giving young pets a healthy start. At Winton Lodge Veterinary Clinic, we regularly help new owners feel more confident about feeding, vaccinations, parasite control, behaviour and general puppy and kitten care. These appointments are not just about looking for illness. They are also about prevention, reassurance and making sure your pet settles into family life as smoothly as possible.

If you are preparing for your first visit, you can also explore our Health Checks & Clinics and preventative healthcare services to see how we support pets through every stage of life.

Main Content

Why first health checks matter

Puppies and kittens grow quickly, and a lot happens in the first few months. Early appointments help us check development, identify any concerns that may need monitoring, and give owners practical advice at the right time.

Our veterinary team often advises owners that these first visits are the ideal opportunity to build a strong plan for vaccinations, parasite prevention, neutering discussions, nutrition and social development. It is often much easier to prevent problems than to deal with them later.

For ongoing support, many owners also ask about our Little VIP plans, including options for Kitten VIP, which can help spread preventative care and routine costs over the year.

What happens during a puppy or kitten first appointment?

Although every pet is different, a first appointment usually includes a full nose-to-tail examination and a discussion about your pet’s routine at home.

• Weight check – We weigh your puppy or kitten to assess growth and help guide feeding and medication planning.
• General physical examination – We check the eyes, ears, mouth, skin, coat, heart, lungs, tummy and body condition.
• Temperature if needed – This is not always necessary, but may be done if there is any sign your pet could be unwell.
• Check for congenital issues – These are problems present from birth, such as hernias, retained testicles, bite issues or heart murmurs.
• Vaccination discussion – We explain what vaccines are recommended, when they are due, and when it is safe to start socialising more widely.
• Flea, worm and parasite advice – Young pets are especially vulnerable to parasites, so this is an important part of the visit.
• Microchip check or discussion – We confirm whether a microchip is already in place and discuss registration details where needed.
• Diet and feeding advice – We talk through suitable food, portion sizes, treats and any digestive concerns.
• Behaviour and settling-in advice – This may include toilet training, sleeping, play, scratching, biting or early social development.

At Winton Lodge Veterinary Clinic, we commonly find that owners feel most reassured after the appointment because they have had the chance to ask all the questions that build up in the first few days at home.

What we look for during the examination

Many local pet owners assume the first check is mainly about vaccinations, but the physical examination is just as important. In our experience supporting pets across Epsom, Leatherhead and Surrey, these early checks can highlight small problems before they become bigger issues.

For example, we may identify:

• Ear irritation or mites
• Dental alignment issues
• Umbilical hernias
• Skin irritation or parasites
• Poor weight gain
• Mild tummy upsets linked to food changes or stress
• Signs that extra support with socialisation or routine may help

Not every concern is serious, and many early issues are straightforward to monitor or manage. The key point is that an early check gives your local veterinary team a clear baseline for your pet’s health.

Vaccinations and preventative care

Vaccinations are often one of the main reasons owners book these first appointments. Puppies and kittens need protection during a stage of life when their immune systems are still developing.

We will explain which vaccines are appropriate, when boosters are needed, and how that fits with walks, outdoor access and mixing with other animals. We can also advise on routine flea and worm treatment as part of a sensible VIP Health Plan or broader preventative healthcare programme.

If you would like extra support between vet appointments, our nurse consultations can be very helpful for weight checks, general guidance and practical new-owner advice.

What should you bring to the appointment?

To help us give the best advice, it is useful to bring:

• Any paperwork from the breeder, rescue centre or previous vet
• Details of any vaccines or treatments already given
• The food your pet is currently eating, or a photo of the packaging
• A list of questions you want to ask
• A fresh stool sample if your pet has had diarrhoea or worms

Puppies should come on a secure lead or in a safe carrier. Kittens should always travel in a secure cat carrier with soft bedding.

Common first-visit questions

Our experienced veterinary team regularly helps owners with very practical concerns, including:

• How much should I feed my puppy or kitten?
• Is this amount of sleeping normal?
• When can my puppy go outside?
• When can my kitten start exploring outdoors?
• Is biting, scratching or chewing normal?
• When should neutering be discussed?
• What flea and worm treatment is suitable?

These are all sensible questions. First appointments are the right place to ask them, and there is no need to worry about asking something that feels basic.

What We Commonly See at Winton Lodge Veterinary Clinic

One of the most common concerns we hear from new owners is that they are not sure whether something is normal puppy or kitten behaviour, or a sign of a problem. Many local pet owners ask us about soft stools, itchy ears, night-time crying, play biting, scratching furniture and feeding amounts.

We regularly help owners who have been given conflicting advice by friends, family or the internet. A common misunderstanding is that a pet only needs to see a vet if they seem unwell. In reality, early health checks are one of the best ways to support long-term health.

At Winton Lodge Veterinary Clinic, we also commonly see puppies and kittens that are doing very well overall but would benefit from small adjustments to feeding, parasite prevention or routine. These are exactly the sort of concerns that are easiest to deal with early.

Our veterinary team often advises that confidence matters too. New owners in Surrey are often doing a great job, but simply want reassurance that they are on the right track. That reassurance can make the early weeks much less stressful for both owner and pet.

Practical Advice

There are a few simple ways to make first appointments more useful and less stressful:

1. Bring questions with you – It is easy to forget things once you are in the room.
2. Keep travel calm – Use secure carriers, soft bedding and avoid loud, rushed journeys where possible.
3. Do not change everything at once – Sudden changes to food, routine and environment can upset young pets.
4. Monitor appetite, toileting and energy levels – These details help us understand how your pet is settling in.
5. Arrange follow-up care early – Booking vaccinations, checks or a nurse consultation in advance can help keep everything on track.

If you have just welcomed a new pet, you can register your pet with Winton Lodge Veterinary Clinic and book an appointment online at a time that suits you.

When To Contact A Vet

While many early concerns are minor, some symptoms should always be checked promptly. Contact a vet if your puppy or kitten:

• Is not eating or drinking
• Has repeated vomiting or diarrhoea
• Seems very tired, weak or unresponsive
• Has difficulty breathing
• Has pale gums
• Is crying persistently or seems in pain
• Has a swollen tummy
• Has discharge from the eyes or nose that is getting worse
• May have eaten something harmful

If a young pet needs closer observation or treatment, we also have hospitalisation facilities available where appropriate. If you are unsure, it is always sensible to speak to your veterinary team.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should a puppy have its first vet check?

Ideally, soon after coming home. Even if a breeder has already arranged an initial check, it is still important to register with your own vet and arrange a follow-up appointment.

When should a kitten have its first vet appointment?

As soon as possible after adoption or purchase. Early checks help confirm your kitten is healthy and allow us to plan vaccinations, parasite control and ongoing care.

Do first appointments include vaccinations?

Often yes, but this depends on your pet’s age, previous vaccination history and general health on the day. We will advise what is appropriate at the appointment.

Can I book with either Epsom or Leatherhead?

Yes. We care for pets from both our Epsom and Leatherhead clinics, supporting local pet owners across Surrey. You can use our Find Us page to choose the most convenient location.

Are nurse clinics useful for young pets?

Yes, they can be very helpful for routine support such as weight monitoring, preventative care guidance and practical advice between vet visits.

What if my pet needs more specialised treatment later on?

Most puppies and kittens simply need routine preventative care, but if a more complex problem is identified, we also provide advanced surgery and medicine services, and for selected procedures we offer keyhole surgery.

Disclaimer

This article is intended for general guidance only. If your pet is unwell, showing concerning symptoms, or you are unsure what to do, please contact your vet for professional advice.

Book Your Puppy or Kitten’s First Appointment

If you have welcomed a new puppy or kitten, we would be pleased to help them get off to the best possible start. You can book an appointment online, register your pet with us, or contact Winton Lodge Veterinary Clinic in Epsom or Leatherhead to arrange a health check. You can also explore our Health Checks & Clinics and ask us about ongoing support through our VIP plans.