Puppy and kitten care: a vet's guide to the first six months

The first six months set up the rest of your pet's life, and the schedule is busier than most new owners expect. Here is the framework I walk through at every first visit.

Vaccinations: puppies and kittens need a course of core vaccines, typically starting at 6–8 weeks and repeated every 3–4 weeks until 16 weeks of age, with a booster at one year. In Hong Kong, rabies vaccination and dog licensing are legal requirements from five months of age. Until the course is complete, keep puppies away from public ground where unvaccinated dogs may have been — parvovirus survives in the environment for months.

Parasite control starts early: intestinal worms are common in young animals and some can infect people, especially children. Monthly broad-spectrum parasite prevention covering heartworm, fleas and intestinal worms is standard practice here, year-round.

Socialisation is time-limited. The sensitive window is roughly 3–14 weeks for puppies and 2–7 weeks for kittens. Positive, controlled exposure to people, sounds, handling, the carrier and the car during this window prevents a lifetime of fear. Balance it against infection risk: carry your puppy, visit friends' homes with vaccinated dogs, and use puppy classes that require vaccination proof.

Feeding: young animals need a growth-formulated diet, not adult food and not home cooking without professional formulation. Feed measured meals (3–4 per day for young puppies, reducing with age) rather than free-feeding, and monitor growth with monthly weigh-ins.

Book a vet visit within the first week of bringing your puppy or kitten home, even if the breeder says everything is done. A baseline examination, microchip check and a parasite and vaccination plan tailored to your pet is the best money you will spend on them all year.