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

Quick Answer: Puppy and kitten health checks are early veterinary appointments that assess your new pet’s overall health, growth, weight, heart, lungs, eyes, ears, skin and development. They are also a chance to discuss vaccinations, parasite control, feeding, behaviour, microchipping and neutering, so you can start your pet off with the right preventative care.

Introduction

Bringing home a new puppy or kitten is exciting, but it also comes with plenty of questions. Many local pet owners in Eltham, Mottingham, Lee and across South East London ask us what actually happens at these first vet visits, and whether they are mainly for vaccinations or something more. In reality, these early appointments are an important part of helping your pet get the best possible start.

At Westhorne Veterinary Surgery, our veterinary team regularly helps new owners feel more confident about early pet care. A first health check is not just a quick look over your puppy or kitten. It is a structured appointment that helps us assess your pet’s health, spot any concerns early and guide you through the next steps in their care.

If you have recently welcomed a new pet, you can register your pet with Westhorne Veterinary Surgery or arrange one of our health checks and clinics appointments.

What is a puppy or kitten health check?

A puppy or kitten health check is an early veterinary appointment designed to assess your pet’s general health and development. These visits usually take place soon after your pet comes home, even if they seem well.

The appointment gives us a chance to:

• Check that your puppy or kitten is growing and developing normally
• Look for any early health concerns
• Discuss vaccinations and preventative care
• Talk through feeding, behaviour and settling in at home
• Answer your questions as a new owner

Our experienced veterinary team often advises owners not to wait until something seems wrong. Early health checks are valuable because some issues are easier to identify and manage when picked up promptly.

What happens during the appointment?

At Westhorne Veterinary Surgery on Westhorne Avenue, we commonly carry out a full nose-to-tail examination during these first appointments. The exact discussion may vary depending on your pet’s age, breed and history, but a typical health check often includes the following.

General physical examination

We will examine your puppy or kitten’s overall condition, including:

• Weight and body condition
• Eyes, ears and mouth
• Skin and coat
• Heart and lungs
• Teeth and bite development
• Abdomen
• Limbs, joints and movement
• Genital area and, in male pets, whether both testicles are present if appropriate for age

This helps us make sure your pet appears healthy and developing as expected.

Checking for congenital or early health concerns

Some puppies and kittens are born with issues that may not be obvious at home. During the health check, we may look for signs of:

• Hernias
• Heart murmurs, which are unusual sounds heard when listening to the heart
• Retained baby teeth later on
• Eye or eyelid problems
• Skin irritation or parasites
• Poor weight gain

Not every concern is serious, and some simply need monitoring. If anything needs closer assessment, we will explain what it means in clear, practical terms.

Vaccination planning

One of the most common reasons for these early visits is to discuss vaccinations. If your pet has already had a first vaccine with the breeder or rescue centre, we will review the record and plan the next stage. If not, we will talk you through the recommended course.

You can also explore our wider preventative healthcare services to understand how vaccinations fit into lifelong pet care.

Flea, worm and parasite advice

Puppies and kittens need regular protection against common parasites. Our veterinary team often advises owners on safe and appropriate parasite prevention based on their pet’s age, weight and lifestyle. This is also a good time to ask about risks for indoor cats, multi-pet households and pets that spend time in gardens or local parks around South East London.

Feeding and growth advice

Many local pet owners ask us whether they are feeding the right amount, the right food or the right number of meals per day. We will discuss:

• Suitable life-stage nutrition
• How much to feed
• Healthy growth rates
• Treats and training rewards
• Changes in appetite to watch for

These simple conversations can make a big difference in helping a young pet grow well.

Behaviour and settling in

At Westhorne Veterinary Surgery, we regularly help owners with early concerns about mouthing, toilet training, scratching, night-time crying, play behaviour and confidence. First appointments are a good opportunity to ask about normal behaviour and how to build good habits from the start.

Microchipping and future planning

We may also discuss microchipping, neutering, dental development and what future routine checks may involve. If you are planning ahead for ongoing care, you can look at our Little VIP plan, including the Kitten VIP Plan, or compare options through our VIP Health Plan pages.

Are these appointments only for dogs and cats?

This article focuses on puppies and kittens, but early health checks are also important for rabbits and small pets. Our local veterinary team supports a wide range of pets across Eltham and surrounding areas, and we can advise on suitable young pet checks for different species. Rabbit owners may also wish to explore our Bunny VIP Plan for ongoing preventative support.

Why early health checks matter

Even when a young pet seems bright and playful, early appointments are still worthwhile. In our experience supporting pets across Eltham and South East London, these visits often help with:

• Picking up problems before they become more significant
• Checking whether a pet is thriving after leaving the breeder or rescue
• Making vaccination and parasite plans clear
• Giving owners reassurance about normal development
• Creating a good routine of preventative veterinary care

As an RCVS Accredited Practice, we are committed to high standards of care and practical advice that supports pets through every stage of life.

What We Commonly See at Westhorne Veterinary Surgery

One of the most common concerns we hear from new owners is, “My puppy or kitten seems fine, so do they really need a check?” In many cases, the appointment is reassuring, but it is still useful because not every issue is obvious at home.

Many local pet owners ask us about mild tummy upset after moving home, scratching, sneezing, loose stools, sleeping patterns and whether shy behaviour is normal. We regularly help owners who are unsure if they should worry or simply monitor things for a few days.

A common misunderstanding is that the first appointment is only about injections. In fact, these consultations are often just as much about prevention, development and owner support as they are about vaccination timing.

We also commonly see puppies and kittens that need guidance with feeding amounts, weight checks and parasite prevention. At Westhorne Veterinary Surgery on Westhorne Avenue, our veterinary team often advises owners that small early adjustments can help prevent bigger issues later on.

Practical Advice

To help your first appointment go smoothly, we usually recommend:

• Bring any paperwork from the breeder, rescue or previous vet
• Take a note of what food your pet is eating and how much
• Write down any questions beforehand
• Bring a fresh stool sample if you have been asked to
• Transport kittens in a secure carrier and puppies on a safe lead or in a carrier if preferred

It can also help to keep a simple record of eating, toileting and behaviour during the first few days at home. This gives useful context if anything needs discussing.

If you are comparing your options for routine care, our health checks and clinics page and veterinary services page provide a helpful overview. You can also book an appointment online if you are ready to arrange your pet’s first visit.

When To Contact A Vet

While many new pet questions are not urgent, some signs do need prompt veterinary advice. You should contact a vet if your puppy or kitten:

• Is not eating or drinking
• Has repeated vomiting or diarrhoea
• Seems very quiet, weak or unresponsive
• Has coughing, breathing changes or nasal discharge that is worsening
• Shows signs of pain
• Has a swollen abdomen
• Has parasites visible in stools or around the rear end
• Has an injury, limp or sudden change in behaviour

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure, has eaten something toxic, or is in severe pain, contact a vet immediately.

For urgent support, please use our 24-hour emergency veterinary care service. If a young pet needs closer monitoring or treatment, we also provide hospitalisation facilities when appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon should I book my puppy or kitten’s first health check?

Ideally, book soon after bringing them home. This allows us to assess their health early and plan vaccinations and parasite control without unnecessary delay.

What should I bring to the appointment?

Please bring any vaccination records, insurance details if available, breeder or rescue paperwork, and a list of any questions you want to discuss.

Will my pet have vaccinations at the first appointment?

Often yes, but this depends on age, previous records and whether your pet is well enough on the day. We will review everything before advising on the next step.

Do indoor kittens still need health checks and parasite advice?

Yes. Even indoor pets benefit from early checks, vaccination planning and preventative care advice, as some risks can still apply indoors.

What if my puppy or kitten seems nervous?

That is very common. Our local veterinary team works with new owners every day and aims to make first visits as calm and positive as possible. If you would like to know who you may see, you can visit our meet our team page.

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 Check

If you have a new puppy or kitten at home, we would be very happy to help you get started. At Westhorne Veterinary Surgery, we support local pet owners across Eltham, Mottingham, Lee and South East London with practical, personal veterinary care from our practice on Westhorne Avenue.

You can book an appointment online, register your pet, or find our location details on our Find Us page. If you would like ongoing support with routine care, ask us about our VIP plans and preventative options for young pets.