A puppy’s first year sets the pattern for a long, healthy life. The schedule below is a general guide — your veterinarian will adjust it for your puppy’s breed, size and risk of exposure.
Six to eight weeks
- First wellness examination
- First core vaccine
- Deworming, repeated as directed
- Flea and tick prevention started
- Microchip, if not already done by the breeder or shelter
Ten to twelve weeks
- Second core vaccine
- Deworming and parasite prevention continued
- Weight and growth check
Fourteen to sixteen weeks
- Final core vaccine in the puppy series
- Rabies vaccine, as required locally
- A good time to talk about spay or neuter timing for your puppy’s breed and size
Four to six months
- Spay or neuter, when appropriate for your dog
- Adult teeth coming through — expect some chewing
- Body condition and dental check
Six to twelve months
- Final puppy boosters where needed
- Another weight and dental check as they finish growing
- Heartworm testing started on the right schedule
And always
Call us whenever something worries you between visits. It is far better to answer a quick question than to have you sitting at home uncertain. If you would like to spread the cost of the routine items above, our wellness plan bundles exams and preventive care into monthly payments.
