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Essential care during your pet's first year
Bringing home a new puppy or kitten is one of the most rewarding things a family can do. It is also one of the most important windows you have to protect their long-term health. The first weeks and months of a pet's life involve a rapid series of developmental changes, and what happens during this period, including vaccinations, nutrition, parasite control, and early socialization, shapes everything that follows.
At Horse Heaven Hills Pet Urgent Care & Veterinary Center, our team partners with you from day one. We take the time to walk through what your new pet needs right now, what to expect as they grow, and how to answer the inevitable questions that come up in between visits. Whether you just picked up an eight-week-old puppy or adopted a kitten with an unknown history, we will build a care plan that fits.
Puppy and kitten vaccine schedules
Vaccines are one of the most effective tools we have to protect young pets from serious, preventable diseases. Puppies and kittens are born with some immunity passed down from their mothers, but that protection fades over the first weeks of life. A properly timed vaccine series fills that gap and builds lasting immunity.
Because vaccine timing matters, most puppies and kittens need a series of visits spaced every three to four weeks, typically between eight and sixteen weeks of age.
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Core puppy vaccines
- Distemper / Parvovirus / Adenovirus (DA2P or DHPP)
- Bordetella (Kennel Cough)
- Leptospirosis
- Canine Influenza
- Rabies
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Core kitten vaccines
- FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia)
- Feline Leukemia (FeLV)
- Rabies
Our team will recommend the right vaccines for your specific pet based on their age, health status, and lifestyle.
Parasite prevention from the start
Puppies and kittens are highly susceptible to parasites, and some can be present even before you bring your new pet home. We screen for intestinal parasites at early visits and establish a prevention plan that protects your pet as well as the people in your household.
- Intestinal Parasites: Roundworms, hookworms, and other worms are common in young pets. Many puppies and kittens are born with them or acquire them through nursing. A fecal test identifies what is present, and treatment is straightforward when caught early.
- Fleas and Ticks: Young pets can become infested quickly. We recommend a prevention approach that fits your home environment and your pet's lifestyle in the Tri-Cities.
- Heartworm: Heartworm prevention should begin early in puppies. We discuss the right timing and product based on your dog's age and overall health. Cats can also be affected by heartworm, and we will discuss prevention options for kittens as well.
Nutrition and growth in the early months
Proper nutrition plays a vital role in your puppy's or kitten's development. Young pets have very different dietary needs than adults, and those needs continue to evolve throughout the first year of life. The right balance of nutrients supports healthy bone growth, immune system development, organ function, and maintaining an appropriate body weight.
During wellness visits, our team will help you choose a diet that matches your pet's age, breed, size, and lifestyle. We discuss feeding schedules, portion sizes, and when the time is right to transition from puppy or kitten food to an adult formula. For large and giant breed puppies, we also provide guidance on growth-specific nutrition to help support healthy skeletal development.
Spay and neuter: When is the right time?
Spaying and neutering your pet is one of the most important decisions you will make in their first year of life. The right timing depends on your pet's species, breed, and overall development, there is no one-size-fits-all answer.
During your puppy or kitten visits, we will discuss the current recommendations for your specific pet, including what the research says about timing for different breeds, the health benefits beyond reproduction, and what to expect from the procedure itself. We want you to feel confident in this decision, not rushed into it.
Trusted puppy and kitten care across the tri-cities
Horse Heaven Hills Pet Urgent Care & Veterinary Center is here for every stage of your pet's life, starting from their very first days with you. Our team sees patients from Kennewick, Richland, Pasco, Badger, and communities throughout the greater Tri-Cities area.
If you have just brought home a new puppy or kitten, do not wait to schedule that first visit. Early care sets the foundation for a longer, healthier life, and our team is ready to help you get off to the right start together.