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Our Novato vets are here to provide guidance, advice and the highest quality of veterinary care during your kitten or puppy's critical first year. 

Book Online (415) 883-0578

Care for Puppies & Kittens

It's an exciting day when you get to bring a new puppy or kitten home! Your cute, cuddly new family member can't help but make anyone who interacts with them smile. 

As fun as this time may be, you'll also have some serious healthcare business to take care of within your new pet's first year of life. 

Your vet will create a custom healthcare plan to meet your pet's specific needs during their first year, and provide you with plenty of support and guidance along the way. 

Puppies & Kittens, Novato Veterinarians

Your Pet’s First Appointment

Ideally, puppies should see us for their first veterinary appointment around six weeks of age, and kittens around eight weeks. 

At this initial visit, your veterinarian will give your pet a complete physical examination to check their overall health, look for parasites and identify any congenital defects.

More About Physical Exams

Deworming medications for hookworms and roundworms and the first round of kitten or puppy vaccinations will also be administered. 

More About Vaccines & Prevention

Finally, we will perform a blood test for kittens to look for feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia. 

Followup Appointments

Between the ages of 6 and 16 weeks, puppies and kittens should attend 3 to 4 veterinary appointments. These visits allow our vets to check your pet's overall health and to administer vaccines on schedule.

Puppy & Kitten Information

Bringing home a new puppy or kitten comes with a lot of new responsibilities.

To help you navigate your puppy or kitten's first year, our team will provide plenty of guidance, support, and helpful information.

Our Kitten Packages and Puppy Packages contain everything you'll need to know about your pet’s early development, including:

  • A vaccination and medical care schedule
  • Information on spaying and neutering your pet
  • Information on common medical problems such as heartworm disease, feline leukemia, and zoonosis
  • Tips for how to socialize your puppy or kitten with animals and people, including pets already living in your home
  • Basic puppy training guidelines
  • Nutrition information

Our vets will be happy to answer any questions you may have, and put any concerns or worries to rest. We want to make sure that you and your puppy or kitten have everything you need to begin a wonderful life together!

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New Patients Welcome

Bel Marin Animal Hospital is accepting new patients! Our experienced vets are passionate about the health of Novato companion animals. Get in touch today to book your pet's first appointment.

Book Online Call (415) 883-0578