Bringing home a new puppy or kitten is an exciting time. There are new routines to establish, plenty of training to think about and, of course, lots of cuddles. But it can also feel overwhelming. How often does your puppy or kitten need vaccinations? When should you start parasite prevention? What should you feed them? When can they safely go outside? And when is the right time to desex them?
The first year is an important period of growth and development, and getting the right veterinary care early can help set your new companion up for a long, healthy life.
At Chatswood Veterinary Clinic, we see many new puppy and kitten owners who aren’t quite sure what to expect. While every pet is different, this guide provides a general roadmap for your pet’s first year, including the key health checks and preventative care to discuss with your vet.
Before Your Puppy or Kitten Comes Home
If possible, arrange your puppy or kitten’s first veterinary appointment soon after bringing them home.
This first visit is about much more than vaccinations. Your vet will perform a thorough health check, discuss your pet’s diet and weight, check their vaccination and worming history, and help you establish an appropriate parasite prevention plan.
It is also a great opportunity to ask all those questions that come with being a new pet owner.
How much should I feed them? When can they go outside? What should I do about toilet training? Is their behaviour normal? When should they be desexed?
There are no silly questions when you’re a new pet owner, and getting good advice early can make the first year much easier.
Month 1: Settling In and Your First Health Check
The first few weeks are about helping your puppy or kitten settle into their new home.
Establish a predictable routine for feeding, sleeping, toileting and play. Puppies will need gentle toilet and obedience training, while kittens benefit from safe spaces to hide, climb, play and rest.
Your first veterinary health check is an important part of this stage. Your vet will assess your pet’s overall health and review their vaccination, worming and parasite prevention history.
For puppies and kittens, parasite prevention is particularly important. Intestinal worms, fleas, ticks and other parasites can cause significant health problems, so your vet can recommend an appropriate prevention program based on your pet’s age, lifestyle and environment.
This is also the time to talk about nutrition. Puppies and kittens have different nutritional requirements from adult pets, and feeding the right amount is important for healthy growth.
Month 2: Vaccinations, Socialisation and Healthy Habits
During the early months, puppies and kittens are developing rapidly. Their experiences during this period can have a lasting impact on their confidence and behaviour.
Your puppy or kitten will usually require a course of vaccinations, with the timing depending on their age, previous vaccination history and individual circumstances. Your vet will recommend the appropriate schedule and let you know when they are adequately protected.
For puppies, early socialisation is particularly important. Once your vet has advised that it is safe, gradually introduce your puppy to different people, environments and experiences in a positive and controlled way.
Kittens also benefit from gentle handling and positive experiences with people, household sounds and their environment.
Continue regular parasite prevention and establish good habits around grooming, handling, teeth and nail care from an early age.
Month 3: Growing, Exploring and Learning
By around three months, your puppy or kitten is becoming much more active and curious.
Puppies may be discovering everything with their mouths, while kittens are becoming increasingly adventurous climbers and hunters. This is a great time to reinforce positive training and make sure your home and garden are safe for an inquisitive young pet.
Your puppy may be ready to experience more of the world as their vaccination protection develops. Your vet can advise when it is appropriate to visit parks, attend puppy classes and interact with other dogs.
For kittens, decisions about indoor and outdoor access are important. Many owners choose to keep their cats indoors or provide a secure outdoor environment to reduce risks such as traffic, fights and infectious diseases.
Continue your puppy or kitten’s vaccination and parasite prevention schedule as recommended by your vet.
Month 4: Teething and Changing Behaviour
Teething can be a major feature of this stage, particularly for puppies.
You may notice increased chewing, changes in appetite or sore gums as baby teeth are replaced by adult teeth. Providing appropriate chew toys can help redirect chewing away from furniture and other household items.
This is also a good time to start making dental care part of your pet’s normal routine. Your veterinary team can show you how to gradually introduce tooth brushing and discuss other ways to support good oral health.
Kittens are also developing rapidly and becoming more coordinated and confident.
For both puppies and kittens, continue reinforcing positive behaviour. Consistency is important. Rewarding the behaviours you want to see is generally much more effective than punishing behaviours you don’t.
Month 5: Desexing and Preventative Healthcare
As your puppy or kitten approaches sexual maturity, it is time to discuss desexing with your veterinarian.
The ideal timing isn’t necessarily the same for every pet. Breed, size, sex, health and lifestyle can all influence the recommendation, so your vet can help you decide what is appropriate for your individual puppy or kitten.
This is also a good time to review your pet’s weight, diet and parasite prevention.
Young pets can grow quickly, so their nutritional needs are changing. Feeding too much can contribute to excessive weight gain, while insufficient nutrition can affect healthy development.
Regular weight checks help ensure your pet is growing at an appropriate rate.
Month 6: Halfway to Adulthood
At six months, your puppy or kitten may look very different from the tiny pet you brought home.
They are becoming more independent, but that doesn’t mean training should stop. In fact, continuing positive reinforcement and good routines now can help prevent behavioural problems later.
For puppies, keep working on basic commands, lead manners, recall and calm behaviour. For kittens, continue providing appropriate opportunities for play, climbing, scratching and mental stimulation.
This is also an important time for a dental health check. Puppies and kittens lose their baby teeth as their adult teeth come through, but sometimes baby teeth don’t fall out as they should. These retained baby teeth can cause overcrowding, trap food and make it difficult for adult teeth to develop into the correct position. In some cases, they can contribute to problems with the alignment of the teeth or jaw. Your vet can check that your pet’s adult teeth are developing normally and recommend removal of any retained baby teeth if necessary.
Your veterinarian can also review vaccinations, parasite prevention, body condition, diet and desexing if this has not already been completed.
Months 7–9: Adolescence Arrives
Just like teenagers, young pets can become a little more challenging during adolescence.
Your previously obedient puppy may suddenly appear to have forgotten everything they’ve learned. Your kitten may become more independent or energetic. This is normal development, but it is important to remain consistent.
Keep training sessions short, positive and rewarding. Make sure your pet continues to receive plenty of physical activity and mental stimulation.
This is also an important period for monitoring weight. As growth begins to slow, your pet’s calorie requirements may change. Your vet can help you determine whether it is time to transition from a growth diet to an adult diet.
Months 10–12: Preparing for Adulthood
By the end of their first year, many puppies and kittens are approaching adulthood, although larger dog breeds may continue growing for considerably longer.
Your pet should now have an established preventative healthcare routine, including vaccinations, parasite control, dental care and regular veterinary checks.
This is a good time to review their overall health and lifestyle with your vet. Is their weight healthy? Is their diet still appropriate? Are there any behavioural concerns? Are their teeth and gums healthy? Is their parasite prevention still suitable for their lifestyle?
These conversations help ensure your pet’s healthcare evolves as they grow.
Your Puppy or Kitten’s First-Year Health Checklist
While every pet’s healthcare schedule is individual, your first year will generally include:
- Regular veterinary health checks
- A recommended course of vaccinations
- Ongoing intestinal worm and parasite prevention
- Nutrition and weight monitoring
- Socialisation and positive training
- Dental and oral health care
- Discussion about desexing and appropriate timing
- Advice about safe outdoor access
- Regular monitoring of growth and development
Remember that not everything has to happen at once. Your veterinary team can help you prioritise what your puppy or kitten needs at each stage.
Questions New Puppy and Kitten Owners Often Ask
When should my puppy or kitten have their first vet visit?
Ideally, arrange a health check soon after bringing your new pet home. This gives you an opportunity to identify any health concerns early and establish a preventative healthcare plan.
When can my puppy go to the park?
This depends on your puppy’s vaccination history and the level of protection they have developed. Ask your vet when it is safe for your puppy to visit public areas and interact with other dogs.
Should my kitten be allowed outside?
There are risks and benefits to outdoor access. Your vet can discuss your kitten’s vaccination status, parasite prevention, desexing and lifestyle to help you make an informed decision.
When should I desex my puppy or kitten?
There isn’t one answer for every pet. The appropriate timing can depend on factors including breed, size, sex and lifestyle. Discuss this with your vet rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all recommendation.
How often should my puppy or kitten see the vet?
Young pets generally need more frequent veterinary care during their first year as they complete vaccinations, grow rapidly and establish their preventative healthcare routine. Your vet will recommend a schedule based on your pet’s individual needs.
What should I feed my puppy or kitten?
Puppies and kittens have different nutritional requirements from adult pets. They need a complete, balanced diet appropriate for growth, but the amount they need will change as they grow. Your vet can recommend an appropriate diet and help you monitor their weight and body condition.
When should I start looking after my puppy or kitten’s teeth?
Dental care should start early. Getting your pet used to having their mouth and teeth handled while they are young can make ongoing dental care much easier. Your vet should also check that baby teeth are falling out normally and adult teeth are developing correctly.
A Healthy Start for a Lifetime of Companionship
Your puppy or kitten’s first year goes by quickly, but it lays the foundations for their health and wellbeing for years to come.
The most important thing is not to feel that you have to know everything from day one. Your veterinary team is there to guide you through each stage, answer your questions and help you make the right decisions for your individual pet.
At Chatswood Vet Clinic, we understand that bringing home a new puppy or kitten is both exciting and sometimes a little daunting. Our experienced team is here to help you navigate vaccinations, parasite prevention, nutrition, behaviour, dental care, desexing and everything in between.
Book your puppy or kitten’s first health check at Chatswood Vet Clinic and bring along all your questions. Our team is here to help your newest family member get the healthiest possible start in life.