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Puppy and Kitten Care

Start Your Pet’s Life on the Right Paw

Bringing home a new puppy or kitten is one of life's great joys and the start of one of the most important periods in your pet's health journey. The care your pet receives in those first weeks and months lays the foundation for everything that comes after. At Warsaw Animal Hospital, we love helping new pet owners in Warsaw, North Carolina navigate those early milestones with confidence, and we look forward to getting to know your newest family member from day one.

When Should I Bring My New Pet in?

We recommend scheduling your puppy or kitten's first veterinary visit as soon as possible after bringing them home, ideally within the first few days. Even if your new pet seems perfectly healthy, an early exam allows us to establish a health baseline, begin their vaccine series, screen for parasites, and answer the many questions that come with welcoming a new animal into your home. The sooner we get started, the better protected your pet will be.

What to Expect During Early Visits

Puppies and kittens need more frequent veterinary visits in their first year than adult pets. These early appointments are timed to align with key developmental milestones and the schedule of their initial vaccine series. At each visit, we will monitor your pet's growth and development, address any concerns that have come up at home, and make sure they are on track in every way.
01. Vaccinations
02. Parasite Prevention and Testing
03. Spay and Neuter Counseling
04. Nutrition Guidance
05. Microchipping
06. Behavioral and Socialization Guidance

Vaccinations

Core vaccines are given in a series during the first several months of life. For puppies, this includes protection against distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, and rabies, among others. For kittens, core vaccines cover feline herpesvirus, calicivirus, panleukopenia, and rabies. We will build a vaccination schedule tailored to your pet's age, lifestyle, and individual risk factors to make sure they are fully protected as early as possible.

Parasite Prevention and Testing

Young pets are especially vulnerable to intestinal parasites, many of which can be passed from mother to offspring before you even bring them home. We test for parasites early and recommend safe, age-appropriate prevention products to protect your puppy or kitten from fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal worms from the start.

Spay and Neuter Counseling

We will discuss the right time to spay or neuter your pet based on their species, breed, and individual health profile. This is an important decision, and we want you to have clear, complete information so you can make the best choice for your pet.

Nutrition Guidance

What your puppy or kitten eats during their early months has a direct impact on their growth, development, and long-term health. We will help you understand what to feed your pet, how much, and how often, so they get the right nutrition at every stage, not just a generic label recommendation.

Microchipping

A microchip is a simple, permanent form of identification that significantly increases the chance of being reunited with your pet if they are ever lost. The procedure takes only a moment and can be done during any visit.

Behavioral and Socialization Guidance

The early months are a critical window for socialization and habit formation. We can talk with you about what normal puppy and kitten behavior looks like, what to watch for, and how to set your pet up for a confident, well-adjusted life, including tips on handling, exposure to new environments, and early training foundations.

Building a Relationship That Lasts a Lifetime

Puppy and kitten care is about more than vaccines and check-ups. It is about building trust between your pet, your family, and our veterinary team. Pets that have positive early experiences at the vet tend to be calmer, easier to examine, and healthier throughout their lives. We take that seriously, and we work hard to make every early visit comfortable and even enjoyable for your newest family member.

The best time to start is now. Call Warsaw Animal Hospital at 910-293-3348 to schedule your puppy or kitten's first appointment. We cannot wait to meet them.

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Where Every Pet Is Welcomed and Cared for Like Family

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910-293-3348