Puppy and Kitten Care in Tulsa, OK
Puppy and Kitten Care in Tulsa, OKCongratulations on your new furry family member! Welcoming a puppy or kitten into your home is exciting and rewarding — and the care they receive in their first months sets the stage for a lifetime of health. At Woodland West Animal Hospital, we’re here to help you give your new pet the healthiest possible start with comprehensive puppy and kitten care in Tulsa, guidance you can count on, and a team that’s always happy to answer your questions.
Your Pet’s First Veterinary Visit
We recommend scheduling your puppy’s or kitten’s first exam at 6 to 8 weeks of age, or within a few days of bringing them home. During this nose-to-tail exam, your veterinarian will check their eyes, ears, heart, lungs, teeth, skin, and overall development, and screen for congenital problems. Early visits also help your pet become comfortable with our hospital, making future visits less stressful.
Please bring any records from the breeder, shelter, or rescue, along with a stool sample if possible. New clients can complete paperwork ahead of time on our new clients page.
What We Cover in Puppy and Kitten Visits
- Vaccinations: A series of core vaccines every 3–4 weeks until about 16 weeks of age, plus lifestyle vaccines as needed
- Deworming and parasite prevention: Treatment for intestinal parasites and an early start on flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
- FeLV/FIV testing for kittens
- Nutrition: The right growth diet and feeding schedule through nutritional counseling
- Microchipping: Permanent identification with pet microchipping
- Behavior and socialization: House training, crate training, litter box habits, biting, and socialization tips — plus behavior consultations if challenges arise
- Dental care: Teaching your pet to accept tooth brushing early
- Spay and neuter planning: When and why to spay or neuter, performed through our surgery service
Puppy and Kitten Wellness Packages
To make early care simple and cost-effective, we offer puppy and kitten vaccination packages that bundle the exam, vaccines, dewormer, and pedicure into each visit. See our wellness plans for full details. Now is also a great time to consider pet insurance, since enrolling while your pet is young and healthy usually provides the best coverage.
When to Call Us
Young pets can become sick quickly. Call us right away or visit our urgent care team if your puppy or kitten has vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, refuses to eat, or has trouble breathing. Unvaccinated puppies are especially vulnerable to parvovirus, a serious and contagious disease.
Puppy & Kitten Care FAQs
When should I bring my new puppy or kitten to the vet?
We recommend scheduling the first exam at 6–8 weeks of age, or within a few days of bringing your new pet home, to begin vaccinations and discuss care essentials.
What vaccinations does my puppy or kitten need?
Puppies typically need distemper, parvovirus, and rabies vaccines, while kittens need FVRCP and rabies. Lifestyle vaccines like Bordetella or FeLV may also be recommended.
When should I spay or neuter my pet?
Cats are often spayed or neutered around 5–6 months old. Timing for dogs depends on breed and size, and your veterinarian will recommend the best age for your pet.
How often should young pets visit the vet?
Young pets need checkups every 3–4 weeks until their vaccine series is complete, then annual wellness exams.
What should I feed my puppy or kitten?
Feed a high-quality diet made specifically for growth. Large-breed puppies benefit from large-breed puppy formulas. Our team can recommend trusted brands and portions.
When can my puppy go to the dog park?
Wait until your puppy has completed their vaccine series, usually around 16 weeks of age, before visiting dog parks or other high-traffic dog areas.
When should my puppy or kitten start parasite prevention?
Deworming begins at the first visits, and flea, tick, and heartworm prevention can usually start at 8 weeks of age depending on the product.
Schedule Your Puppy or Kitten’s First Exam
We’re thrilled to be part of your pet’s journey and can’t wait to meet your newest family member! Call Woodland West Animal Hospital at (918) 299-1208 to schedule their first wellness visit.