Your first vet visit & when to call
Bring the records, ask questions, and know when help should not wait.
General care guidance. Needs vary by species, age and health. Your veterinarian can tailor a plan for your pet.
Plan preventive care
Arrange an exam soon after your puppy comes home. Let your vet review the existing records and plan vaccines and parasite prevention for your puppy.
Ask how to introduce new people, animals and places safely while your puppy’s vaccine series is still underway.
Call promptly when something changes
Tell the vet about poor appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing or unusual tiredness. Puppies can need help sooner than an adult dog.
Trouble breathing, collapse, seizures, suspected poisoning, severe injury, or ongoing vomiting and diarrhea need urgent veterinary advice. Use an emergency clinic when your regular vet is closed.
Sources & further reading
Sources checked October 21, 2026. These are original starter summaries; read the full guidance below.
Puppy Basics, one short lesson a day.
Potty training, the crate, the first vet visit, feeding and socializing, in plain words. See the lessons
First 30 Days with your puppy.
A week-by-week checklist, a shopping list and a feeding schedule. Print it and stick it on the fridge.
Join the Gotcha Day club.
Tell us your pet’s name and the day they came home. Every year we send a happy Gotcha Day note.