Puppy & Kitten Health Checks Explained: What Happens During These Important 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, teeth, skin and development. They also give you practical advice on vaccinations, parasite control, feeding, behaviour, neutering, microchipping and preventative care, helping your pet get the best possible start in life.
Introduction
Bringing home a new puppy or kitten is exciting, but it can also come with plenty of questions. Many new owners want to know what happens at those first vet visits, what will be checked, and whether anything might be missed if their pet seems well at home.
At Parish Lane Vets we regularly help new pet owners across Penge, Anerley, Crystal Palace and South East London feel more confident about these first appointments. A puppy or kitten health check is not just about looking for illness. It is also a chance to make sure your pet is developing well, answer your questions early, and plan the right preventative care from the start.
If you have recently welcomed a young pet into your home, you can also arrange one of our free puppy and kitten health checks with our local veterinary team.
Why early health checks matter
Young pets change quickly in the first weeks and months of life. Some problems are obvious, but others can be subtle and easy to miss without a veterinary examination. Early checks help us spot concerns promptly and guide you on feeding, parasite prevention, vaccination timings, weight gain and general day-to-day care.
Our veterinary team often advises that even bright, playful puppies and kittens benefit from a proper check. In our experience supporting pets across Penge and South East London, many important conversations happen before a pet ever appears unwell.
As an RCVS Accredited Practice, we take these early appointments seriously because they form part of good lifelong care.
What happens during a puppy or kitten health check?
Although every pet is different, most first appointments follow a similar pattern. We aim to keep the visit calm, gentle and practical.
1. We talk through your pet’s history
We will ask where your puppy or kitten came from, their age, what they are eating, whether they have had any vaccinations or worming treatment already, and how they have settled in at home. If you have any paperwork from a breeder, rescue or previous vet, bring it with you.
This is also a good time to discuss insurance, budgeting and ongoing routine care. Some owners find it helpful to look at our vet prices and appointment information in advance.
2. We check weight and body condition
Weight alone is useful, but we also assess body condition. This means checking whether your pet is growing at a healthy rate and carrying the right amount of body fat for their age. Young pets can become underweight or overweight surprisingly easily, especially during growth spurts or when treats are introduced too soon.
3. We perform a full nose-to-tail examination
This includes checking:
- Eyes, ears and nose
- Mouth, teeth and gums
- Skin and coat
- Heart and lungs
- Tummy and digestion
- Joints, legs and movement
- Hydration and general development
- External signs of fleas or other parasites
At Parish Lane Vets we commonly see young pets with mild tummy upset, itchy skin, ear debris, baby teeth concerns, or simple feeding issues that owners were not sure were worth mentioning. These early visits are exactly the right place to bring those questions up.
4. We look for any congenital or developmental concerns
Some puppies and kittens are born with issues that may not be obvious at home. These can include hernias, retained baby teeth later on, heart murmurs, delayed growth, alignment issues with the bite, or reproductive concerns such as retained testicles in male puppies. Not every finding is serious, but it is helpful to identify and monitor anything unusual.
If more advanced investigation is ever needed, we can guide you through the next steps and, where appropriate, discuss our advanced surgery and medicine services.
5. We discuss vaccinations
Vaccination schedules vary depending on your pet’s age and previous history. We will explain what protection is recommended, when vaccines are due, and when it is safe to start getting out and about more confidently.
If your pet has missed vaccines or there is any confusion around previous records, speak to our team. We also offer support through our wider health checks and clinics.
6. We advise on flea, worm and parasite prevention
Young pets are especially vulnerable to parasites. We will talk through safe, appropriate prevention based on your pet’s age, species and lifestyle. Good parasite control protects both your pet and your household.
Many owners also ask us about ongoing value and routine care. Our VIP health plans can help spread the cost of preventative treatment and routine checks.
7. We answer everyday care questions
Your first appointment is the ideal time to ask about:
- Feeding and diet changes
- Toilet training or litter habits
- Sleep patterns
- Socialisation and handling
- Teething and chewing
- Scratching, biting or play behaviour
- Neutering
- Microchipping
For dog owners, our ultimate puppy guide is a useful starting point alongside veterinary advice.
What We Commonly See at Parish Lane Vets
One of the most common concerns we hear from local pet owners is, “They seem absolutely fine, do they really need a check?” In many cases, the answer is yes. A young pet may look bright and active but still have minor issues that benefit from early advice.
Many local pet owners ask us about soft stools, scratching, overfeeding, puppy mouthing, kitten litter tray habits and whether a certain amount of sleep is normal. We regularly help owners who are simply unsure what is expected in a very young pet, and often reassurance is just as valuable as treatment.
A common misunderstanding is that vaccination appointments cover everything automatically. In reality, first appointments are broader than vaccines alone. They are an opportunity for a full wellbeing review and a chance for us to help you build healthy routines at home.
At Parish Lane Vets we regularly help families across Crystal Palace, Anerley and South East London who want practical, non-judgemental support. That may mean discussing the best diet, checking whether weight gain is on track, or helping a nervous new owner understand what is normal and what is not.
Practical advice for your first appointment
To make the most of the visit, it helps to come prepared.
- Bring any paperwork from the breeder, rescue or previous vet
- Take a note of your pet’s current food and feeding amounts
- Write down any symptoms or questions, even if they seem small
- Bring a fresh stool sample if your pet has had diarrhoea or worms
- Transport kittens safely in a secure carrier and puppies on a lead or in a crate
Our experienced veterinary team regularly helps new owners who feel they have “too many questions”. Please do ask them. Early appointments are exactly for that.
If you are just getting started with us, you can register your pet with Parish Lane Vets before arranging your visit. If you are ready to come in, you can also use our online booking system to arrange a convenient appointment.
For ongoing puppy and kitten care, some owners choose our dedicated plans, including the Little VIP healthcare plan for puppies and the Little VIP plan for kittens.
When To Contact A Vet
While many first-appointment questions are routine, some signs should be checked promptly. Contact a vet if your puppy or kitten has:
- Ongoing vomiting or diarrhoea
- Refused food for an unusual length of time
- Low energy or unusual weakness
- Coughing, noisy breathing or discharge from the nose
- Swollen abdomen or signs of pain
- Persistent scratching, hair loss or skin sores
- Difficulty passing urine or faeces
- Any symptom that worries you or seems to be getting worse
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. Parish Lane Vets provides 24-hour emergency veterinary care for urgent situations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old should my puppy or kitten be for their first health check?
Ideally, as soon as possible after coming home. Early advice helps us check health, review any existing treatment and plan vaccinations and parasite prevention.
Will my pet be vaccinated at the first appointment?
Often yes, but this depends on age, previous history and whether your pet is well enough on the day. We will examine them first and advise on the right schedule.
Do indoor kittens still need vet checks and parasite prevention?
Yes. Indoor pets still need routine healthcare, including vaccinations and parasite advice, as well as weight, dental and general development checks.
What if I have adopted rather than bought my pet?
That is absolutely fine. We commonly see rescue puppies and kittens, and the same early health checks are important. Bring any information you have and we will guide you from there.
Can I ask about behaviour as well as physical health?
Yes. First appointments are a very good time to discuss training, socialisation, litter habits, scratching, biting or settling-in concerns.
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, our local veterinary team is here to help you get them off to the best start. At Parish Lane Vets we support pet owners across Penge, Crystal Palace, Anerley and South East London with friendly, practical care at every life stage.
You can arrange one of our free puppy and kitten health checks, register your pet online, or use our online booking page to book an appointment. If you would like to visit us in person, you can also find Parish Lane Vets in South East London and speak to our team.
