New Puppy Health Checklist: Vaccines, Vet Visits, and First-Year Essentials

Bringing home a new puppy is one of the most joyful experiences for any pet parent — and a little preparation goes a long way. This checklist, reviewed by our Petco Chief Veterinarian, Dr. Shelly Ferris DVM, covers the key health steps to take in your puppy's first year so you can feel confident you're giving them the best start.

What Should You do Before You Bring Your Puppy Home?

• Schedule a first vet appointment for within 48–72 hours of arrival — even if your puppy came with vet records
• Puppy-proof your home: secure electrical cords, store household chemicals, remove toxic plants (see our toxic plant guide)
• Set up a safe space: crate, bed, food and water bowls, and an ID tag with your contact info
• Choose a puppy food: look for 'AAFCO complete and balanced for growth' on the label
• Research pet insurance: the best time to enroll is before any pre-existing conditions develop

What Vaccines Does Your Puppy Needs and When?

Parasite Prevention: Starting Early Is Essential

• Flea and tick prevention: start as early as 8 weeks (check product label for minimum age). Ask your Petco veterinarian for a prescription option — they're more effective than OTC collars or sprays
• Heartworm prevention: start by 8 weeks; requires negative heartworm test in dogs over 6 months before starting
• Intestinal parasites: puppies are commonly born with or exposed to intestinal parasites early in life. Your Petco veterinarian will recommend a deworming schedule at your first exam and guide you from there

Should You Spay or Neuter?: Timing and What to Expect

Most veterinarians recommend spaying or neutering between 6 and 12 months, depending on your dog's breed and size. Large and giant breeds may benefit from a bit more time to support full musculoskeletal development. Your Petco veterinarian will walk you through the timing that makes the most sense for your puppy.

What is Your Puppy’s First-Year Vet Visit Schedule?

• 6–8 weeks: First exam + DHPP vaccine #1 + fecal test for parasites + dewormer
• 10–12 weeks: DHPP vaccine #2 + Leptospirosis #1 if over 12 weeks of age, and Bordetella is highly recommended
• 14–16 weeks: DHPP vaccine #3 + Rabies + Leptospirosis #2 + heartworm prevention
• Over 6 months: Spay/neuter consultation & scheduling + dental check (check for retained baby teeth) + heartworm test
• Over 12 months: Annual wellness exam + rabies booster + adult vaccine boosters + fecal + dewormer + annual heartworm test

What is Your Puppy’s First-Year Nutrition Checklist?

• Feed 3× daily until 6 months; transition to 2× daily after
• Limit treats to no more than 10% of daily caloric intake
• Fresh water available at all times
• Avoid: grapes, raisins, xylitol, onions, macadamia nuts, chocolate — all toxic to dogs

How to Get Started? Book Your Puppy's First Petco Veterinary Services Visit

Vetco Vaccination clinics and Vetco Total Care hospitals inside Petco offer affordable puppy wellness packages that include exams, core vaccines, and parasite prevention — all in one visit. Find your nearest Petco Veterinary Services location and schedule online today. If you get puppy prescriptions, you can fill your prescription in-store or online through Petco.com with Autoship, so staying on schedule is one less thing to think about.

Our Vetco Total Care hospital and Vetco Vaccination Clinic prescriptions automatically transfer to your Petco.com profile, for easy fulfillment by our partner Vetsource. If you’re not a Petco veterinary customer, it’s still easy anything you need you’re your puppy online at Petco.com.