Puppy & Kitten Care

Bringing home a new puppy or kitten is an exciting milestone. At PetCentre Animal Hospital, we provide personalized puppy and kitten care in Manassas, VA, to ensure your new companion starts life healthy, protected, and properly guided.

What Happens During a Puppy or Kitten Exam?

Your pet’s first visit is comprehensive and educational.

Complete Physical Examination

We examine:

  • Eyes and ears
  • Heart and lungs
  • Abdomen
  • Teeth and gums
  • Skin and coat
  • Joint development
  • Weight and growth patterns

This allows us to identify any early concerns and establish baseline health measurements.

Vaccination Planning

Puppies and kittens require a series of boosters to build immunity. Visit our Pet Vaccines page to learn more about vaccine schedules.

Parasite Screening and Prevention

Young pets are especially vulnerable to intestinal parasites, fleas, and heartworms. We perform fecal testing and recommend preventive medications. Learn more about preventive care on our Pet Wellness and Preventative Care page.

Nutrition Counseling

Proper growth requires balanced nutrition. We provide tailored feeding guidance based on breed size, expected adult weight, and health status. Explore our Pet Behavior and Nutritional Counseling services for ongoing support.

Why Early Socialization and Behavior Guidance Matters

Behavioral habits develop quickly in young pets. Early intervention helps prevent long-term problems.

During puppy and kitten visits, we discuss:

  • Crate training
  • House training
  • Socialization milestones
  • Safe exposure to new environments
  • Managing biting or scratching
  • Preventing separation anxiety

If behavioral challenges arise, our Pet Behavior and Nutritional Counseling services provide structured support.

Building a Long-Term Wellness Plan

Your puppy or kitten’s early visits create a structured preventive care roadmap.

This plan typically includes:

  • Vaccination schedule
  • Deworming protocol
  • Heartworm prevention timeline
  • Flea and tick prevention
  • Dental care introduction
  • Nutritional planning
  • Annual wellness scheduling

By establishing care early, we create a relationship that supports your pet’s health through every life stage.

If your young pet becomes ill, visit our Sick Pet Visits or Pet Urgent and Emergency Care pages for guidance.

kitten playing with a toy inside

Frequently Asked Questions About Puppy and Kitten Care

How many visits will my new pet need?
Most puppies and kittens require multiple visits during their first 4–5 months to complete vaccinations and growth monitoring.
Can my puppy go outside before finishing vaccines?
Limited exposure may be allowed, but we recommend avoiding high-traffic dog areas until the vaccine series is complete.
When should I start heartworm prevention?
We typically begin prevention as early as 8 weeks of age, depending on product selection and risk assessment.

Setting the Foundation for Lifelong Health

Early veterinary care shapes the future of your pet’s well-being. At PetCentre Animal Hospital, our comprehensive puppy and kitten care program supports healthy growth, disease prevention, and behavioral development for young dogs and cats. Serving families throughout the greater Manassas area, we provide attentive guidance and preventive expertise that builds a strong medical foundation from the very first visit.

PetCentre Animal Hospital Services

Wellness & Preventive Care

Urgent & Emergency Care

Pet Resort

Puppy & Kitten Visits

Vaccines

Allergy Management

Laboratory Testing

Digital Imaging

Sick Pet Visits

Pain & Chronic Illness Management

Health Certificates

Veterinary Surgery

Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine

Senior Pet Care

Dental Care

Behavior & Nutritional Counseling

Laser Therapy

End-of-Life Care

Wellness & Preventive Care

Pet Resort

Veterinary Surgery

Health Certificates

Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine

Laboratory Testing

Digital Imaging

Dental Care

Urgent & Emergency Care

Puppy & Kitten Visits

Senior Pet Care

Sick Pet Visits

Allergy Management

Vaccines

Pain & Chronic Illness Management

Behavior & Nutritional Counseling

Laser Therapy

End-of-Life Care