Puppies & Kittens: A Warm Welcome from Whisker & Woof

Your puppy or kitten’s first visit isn’t just about checking their health — it’s about setting the tone for their future. We’ll greet them with gentle hands and welcoming smiles, helping them associate the vet with kindness and reassurance. By starting this relationship in a calm and fun way, we reduce stress and build confidence for every future visit.

We recommend booking a first check within a few days of bringing your new pet home, even if their first vaccinations aren’t due yet. It’s the perfect chance to catch any health problems early, especially in pets who’ve come from a breeder or rescue. It also lets us map out a clear plan for the weeks ahead.

We’re proud to be both an ISFM Silver Cat Friendly Clinic and an accredited Dog Friendly Clinic (Dogs Trust and the British Veterinary Behaviour Association). These accreditations mean the whole visit is designed around how puppies and kittens actually feel, so a first trip to the vet becomes a good experience rather than a frightening one.

In practice, that means unhurried appointments, gentle low-stress handling, plenty of treats, and letting your pet explore at their own pace. Kittens can stay in their carrier until they’re ready, and puppies get time to sniff, settle and say hello. Our Head Veterinary Nurse Melissa Barnett, our cat advocate, and RVN Amy McHale, our dog advocate, help shape how we welcome every new arrival. Our Zero Pain Philosophy means comfort is considered at every step, right down to the smallest injection.

During this appointment, our experienced veterinary team will carry out a full health check, carefully examining your pet from nose to tail. We’ll check:

• Eyes, ears, mouth and teeth, including that adult teeth are coming through correctly
• Heart and lungs, listening for murmurs or other early warning signs
• Skin and coat, looking for fleas, mites or ringworm
• Tummy, joints and body condition, to make sure they’re growing well
• Weight, so treatments and food portions are dosed accurately

This is our opportunity to make sure they’re thriving and to address any concerns early, before they become problems.

Young animals are especially vulnerable to serious infectious diseases, so a primary vaccination course is one of the most important things you’ll do for your new pet.

• Puppies are protected against parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis and leptospirosis, with kennel cough vaccination recommended for most dogs. The primary course usually starts from around 8 weeks of age, with a second injection a few weeks later.
• Kittens are protected against cat flu and feline enteritis, plus feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) for kittens who will go outdoors. The course usually starts from around 8–9 weeks of age, with a second injection a few weeks later.

We’ll tailor the plan to your pet’s age, lifestyle and history, and we’ll give you a clear date for when they’re fully protected and ready to explore the outside world. After the primary course, an annual booster and health check keeps that protection going.

Microchipping is quick, safe and a legal requirement. In England, all dogs must be microchipped by 8 weeks of age, and all cats by 20 weeks of age. If your puppy or kitten hasn’t been chipped yet, we can do it during their visit. It takes seconds, and we’ll check the chip scans correctly afterwards.

Please remember to keep your contact details up to date on the microchip database whenever you move house or change your phone number. A chip is only as useful as the details linked to it.

We understand how important it is to get things right from the start. Whether you’re a first-time owner or an experienced animal lover, we’ll guide you through all the essentials to make sure your pet gets the best start in life, and we’ll make sure you leave with all the answers you need.

The first months of life are a time of rapid growth and development, which makes proper nutrition essential. Our vets will provide personalised dietary recommendations based on your pet’s breed, size and activity levels. We’ll guide you on:

• Choosing high-quality puppy or kitten food that meets their nutritional needs
• Understanding portion sizes to avoid overfeeding or underfeeding
• When and how to move from puppy or kitten food to an adult diet
• The role of treats and supplements, while keeping their diet balanced

We can also help with food sensitivities, fussy eating and special dietary needs for particular breeds. And while we’re talking about mealtimes, we’ll show you how to start gentle tooth-brushing early. It’s far easier to build the habit now than to introduce it to an adult pet.

Parasites like fleas, ticks and worms can pose a serious health risk to your pet, and some can affect your family too. Puppies and kittens are especially vulnerable, as roundworms can be passed on from their mother before birth or through her milk. Setting up a prevention plan early is essential. We’ll discuss:

• A regular worming schedule tailored to their age and weight. Young pets need treating more often than adults.
• Flea and tick prevention, including spot-ons, tablets and longer-acting options
• Lungworm prevention for puppies. Lungworm is spread by slugs and snails, which are common in gardens and parks across London and the South East, and it can be life-threatening. Year-round protection is the safest approach.
• Extra protection against heartworm, leishmania and tick-borne diseases if you plan to travel abroad with your pet
• Signs of parasite problems and when to seek help

Our team will create a bespoke parasite control plan for year-round protection. You can read more on our parasite control page.

Neutering is an important decision for responsible pet ownership, with both health and behavioural benefits. During your visit, we’ll discuss:

• Timing: the best age to neuter your pet. Most cats can be safely neutered from around five months of age. For dogs, the right timing depends on breed and size, and large and giant breeds may benefit from waiting.
• Health benefits: how neutering can reduce the risk of certain cancers and infections
• Behavioural benefits: how neutering may help reduce unwanted behaviours such as marking, roaming or aggression
• Post-operative care: what to expect after the procedure and how to ensure a smooth, comfortable recovery, with pain relief always provided as standard

If you’re unsure about neutering, we’ll give you balanced, evidence-based information to help you make the right choice for your pet.

The experiences your puppy or kitten has in their first few months can shape their behaviour for life. Good socialisation helps them grow into a confident, friendly and well-adjusted adult. Our team will give you practical tips for:

• Introducing them to new people, pets and environments in a safe and positive way
• Encouraging calm, confident behaviour in situations like car journeys, meeting the postman or visiting the groomer
• Reducing fear or anxiety around common triggers such as fireworks, loud noises or crowds
• Using play and training to strengthen your bond and teach important skills

Kittens benefit from socialisation too. Gentle handling, getting used to their carrier, and positive experiences with everyday household sounds all make for a more relaxed adult cat.

We’ll also point you towards local puppy classes and help you plan safe socialisation before vaccinations are complete, such as carrying your puppy out to experience new sights and sounds.

Starting out with a new pet comes with plenty of expenses. Our W&W Platinum Health Plan spreads the cost of your puppy or kitten’s essential preventative care across the year with a simple monthly direct debit. It includes:

• Annual vaccination and comprehensive health check
• Advanced flea, worm and tick treatment
• Free microchipping
• 10% off neutering
• 10% off dental treatment
• Nail Clipping
• Anal gland expression

The health plan covers preventative care rather than illness or injury, so we’d also recommend pet insurance. Taking out a policy while your pet is young, before any conditions develop, generally gives the broadest cover.

At Whisker & Woof, we go beyond the basics. We’re an independent, vet-owned practice, led by Jason Way BVetMed CertSAM MRCVS, who has nearly three decades of experience. Our team is passionate about creating a caring, supportive environment for pets and their people. From the moment you walk through our doors, you’ll feel the difference in our approach. We combine expert knowledge with genuine compassion, offering tailored advice and services that meet your pet’s unique needs.

So let’s celebrate this special chapter together! Book your puppy or kitten’s first visit with us today and give them the best possible start to a healthy, happy life.