Puppy and Kitten Wellness
Starting Strong: Care for Puppies and Kittens
Puppy and kitten wellness care at Glastonbury Veterinary Hospital gives your new family member a healthy, confident start.
Welcoming a new puppy or kitten into your home is an exciting chapter, and we’re here to help you feel prepared, supported, and confident every step of the way. At Glastonbury Veterinary Hospital, we take a gentle, personalized approach to early care, focusing on strong foundations that help your new companion grow into a healthy, happy adult.
Why Early Veterinary Care Matters
Puppies and kittens grow rapidly, and their first months are filled with important developmental milestones. Regular check-ups allow us to:
Monitor growth and behavior
- Catch early concerns before they become problems
- Build comfort and trust with veterinary visits
- Create a personalized plan for vaccines, nutrition, and preventive care
Early visits also help your new pet learn that our veterinary hospital is a safe, friendly place. This may seem like a small thing, but it can make a lifelong difference.
Vaccines for Puppies & Kittens
Protecting Them During Their Most Vulnerable Months
Young pets are more susceptible to infections, especially in areas like Glastonbury where wildlife exposure, ticks, and community pet activity are common. Vaccines create essential protection during this time.
We tailor every plan based on your pet’s needs and lifestyle, never more than they need, always enough to keep them safe.
Puppy Vaccine Plan
Most puppies begin vaccines at 6 to 8 weeks, with boosters every 3 to 4 weeks until around 16 weeks.
Core vaccines typically include:
- Distemper/Parvovirus (DHPP)
- Rabies (required by Connecticut law)
- Bordetella (for social dogs)
- Leptospirosis (common in our region due to wildlife and standing water)
- Lyme (highly recommended in Connecticut)
Kitten Vaccine Plan
Kittens also start vaccines at 6 to 8 weeks, with boosters every 3 to 4 weeks until 16 weeks.
Core vaccines include:
- FVRCP (feline respiratory and gastrointestinal protection)
- Rabies (required for all cats, even indoors)
- Feline Leukemia (FeLV) strongly recommended for all kittens, especially with outdoor access
Preventive Care for Growing Puppies and Kittens
Your puppy or kitten’s wellness visits include:
- A stress free, nose-to-tail exam
- Weight and growth monitoring
- Behavior and socialization guidance
- Nutrition recommendations for healthy development
- Parasite prevention (fleas, ticks, heartworm, and intestinal parasites)
- Discussion of spay/neuter timing
We want you to feel fully supported, especially during the months when training, teething, and rapid growth can feel overwhelming.
Spay & Neuter: Planning Ahead
Spaying or neutering your puppy or kitten is an important decision for long-term health.
The ideal timing for spay or neuter surgery depends on your pet’s age, size, and breed. Generally, dogs are ready between 6 and 12 months, while cats are usually ready between 5 and 6 months. We’ll discuss your pet’s individual needs during their visits so you can feel confident choosing the timing that’s right for them.
Puppy and Kitten Wellness in Glastonbury, CT: Your Questions Answered
Clear answers to the questions Glastonbury pet owners ask us most.
When should I bring my new puppy or kitten to the vet?
Ideally within the first week after bringing them home. Early visits let us check overall health, start or continue vaccines and deworming, and answer your questions about feeding, training, and litter habits.
What shots does a puppy need?
Puppies typically receive a series of core vaccines every three to four weeks from about 6 to 16 weeks of age, plus rabies. We tailor additional vaccines to your puppy’s lifestyle. See our vaccines page for details.
What vaccinations does a kitten need?
Kittens need core vaccines against panleukopenia, herpesvirus, calicivirus, and rabies, given in a series during their first months. We will discuss whether your kitten also needs feline leukemia protection based on their lifestyle.
When should my puppy or kitten be spayed or neutered?
Timing depends on species, breed, and size. We will recommend the right time for your pet during their puppy or kitten visits. Learn more on our spay and neuter page.
Where can I find more puppy care advice?
We are always happy to help families in Glastonbury, Manchester, and Hebron. The AVMA’s puppy care guide is also a helpful resource, or you can contact our team.
We’re Here to Support You Through Every Milestone
Raising a puppy or kitten is joyful, busy, and sometimes a little overwhelming, but you’re not doing it alone. Our team is here with empathy, guidance, and a commitment to helping your new companion grow up healthy, confident, and loved.
Schedule your puppy or kitten’s first visit today. Let’s start their life with the strongest foundation possible.