Congratulations on the newest addition to your family! Bringing home a puppy or kitten in NYC is a big milestone—and so is that first vet visit. Early care makes a lifelong difference in your pet’s health.
When to Schedule Your First Visit
Ideally, within the first 5–7 days of bringing your pet home—sooner if they show any signs of illness or were adopted from a shelter.
What Happens at the First Vet Visit
- Full Physical Exam: We check eyes, ears, teeth, heart, joints, and more.
- Weight Check & Growth Plan: Especially important for puppies and kittens.
- Vaccination Schedule: We’ll map out core vaccines like rabies, distemper, and feline leukemia.
- Parasite Prevention: Deworming and monthly flea, tick, and heartworm plans start here.
- Nutrition Guidance: Get personalized feeding plans and portion control advice.
- Behavior Tips: Crate training, litter box use, and socialization strategies.
NYC-Specific Tips for New Pet Parents
- ID Tags & Microchipping: A must in a city where doors, elevators, and parks are always in motion
- Noise Desensitization: The earlier you expose your pet to sounds (sirens, horns), the better
- Leash & Litter Habits: Use the right gear for crowded sidewalks or high-rise living
Questions to Ask Your Vet
- When can I spay/neuter?
- What’s the best food for my breed?
- How can I prevent separation anxiety?
- What’s the ideal vaccine schedule?
Pro Tip: Bring your adoption or breeder paperwork, a stool sample, and a list of questions. No detail is too small.
URvet Care specializes in early-life wellness. We’re here to make your puppy or kitten’s first visit smooth, stress-free, and full of tail wags and purrs.
