Taking Your Dog To The Vet For The First Time

Taking your dog to the vet for the first time can feel a little overwhelming. You might have all of their food, treats, and toys picked out, but establishing a good routine of vet visits is just as vital. It’s important to prioritize regular and quality vet care for your dog. 

That’s why making an appointment as soon as you bring them home is such a crucial step in welcoming them into your family. Whether you’re taking in a puppy for the first time or your newly adopted dog, here’s how to make the first trip a success.

Making Your First Vet Appointment

Firstly, you’ll want to make that first vet appointment within the initial couple of weeks of bringing a new dog or puppy home. If you adopted a dog, then there’s a good chance they’ve been to a vet recently. The same goes for puppies acquired from a registered breeder. That said, establishing a vet you’ll use for your dog is important. 

Plus, you might need to catch your dog up on vaccinations. Whether they’re a bit behind or just now reaching that age where they can get their routine shots, your dog’s first vet visit under your care should happen as soon as possible so that you can know the health of your new friend as well as when you’ll need to return for another check-up. 

What to Bring to the First Vet Visit

A lot of people worry about what to bring to a puppy’s first vet visit. Even if you’ve just recently adopted a dog, this question comes up a lot as well. For your first visit, here’s what you’ll want to bring: 

• Any paperwork you received when adopting your dog or puppy
• A list of any medication or supplements your dog takes, as well as what they eat on a regular basis, including food brand, treats, and other consumables
• Questions you might have about your dog, its behavior after the first few days in your home, and other inquires a vet might offer insight into

Some vets will also request you bring in a stool sample, but you’ll be notified about that if this pertains to your first visit. Often, this occurs upon return for follow-up shots and other types of care. A first vet visit for a puppy can seem overwhelming, but that’s really all you need to bring!

Ensuring the Best Vet Visit for your Puppy

Beyond the things you need to bring, there are a few extra steps you can take to make sure your first puppy vet visit goes smoothly. Make sure your new friend goes potty before their visit to reduce any accidents during the appointment. They happen, so no worries if your dog still gets too excited. 

Also, consider how much socialization your dog has gotten up to this point. If they’re still nervous around other dogs, they might be stressed to run into new friends in the waiting room. It’s not a bad idea for more uneasy puppies to wait outside after notifying the vet’s office you’ve arrived. 

Until you know your puppy really well, you may not want to have them around other dogs at all. Many first time pet parents simply call the front office from their phone and remain in their vehicle until the vet is ready for them.

Lastly, take time to consider why you should microchip your pet. This non-invasive procedure takes place just like a vaccination and can help you find your puppy if they get lost. This doesn’t always take place during the first vet visit for a puppy, but you can at least bring it up to your vet once you’ve looked into the benefits. 

Make your First Vet Visit a Success

Follow these tips for a successful vet visit with your new dog or puppy. Your vet will be happy to answer your questions during this first visit and subsequent check-ups. For peace of mind, consider a subscription to a telehealth service for 24/7 access to a licensed veterinarian in case you have questions after your visit or even late at night. As always, your dog’s health is of the utmost importance, and that means making a habit of visiting or contacting a local pet professional.