Kitten First Vet Visit: What to Expect and Questions to Ask

Is there a better feeling than bringing home a brand-new kitten? From your first meeting to those sweet first meows, there’s so much to celebrate. And though it’s easy to get lost in cuteness overload, there are some other key firsts to keep on your radar — including a kitten first vet visit.

Though caring for your new kitten’s health may not be quite as kitty cuddles, it is your most important job as a pet parent. To get you started off on the right foot, here’s a helpful guide covering everything you need to know about your kitten’s first vet appointment.

You’ll learn everything from what to expect at the vet clinic to answers to common questions, like “When do kitties get their first shots?” Plus, we’ll cover helpful checklists, safety tips, and more.

So keep reading and get ready to discover the tools you need to set your new kitty up for a lifetime of good health!

When to Take Your Kitten to the Veterinarian

Some of the most common questions I get from new cat parents are about the timing of the first vet appointment for kitten. They ask me, “When do kittens need to go to the vet?” and “Should I bring kitten to vet the same day of adoption?” What may surprise you is that there’s more than one correct answer.

If you adopt from a shelter, I typically recommend a first vet appointment for kitten within 48-72 hours. The same goes for independent adoptions (from a friend with a litter of new kittens) or taking a stray kitten into your home.

The exception to that rule is if you adopt your kitten from a breeder who works directly with a veterinarian. This is often the case with purebred kittens, who may receive full vet exams just before adoption. In that case, the vet will provide a note indicating when to take kitten to vet for a follow-up exam or when vaccines are due. 

That said, I never discourage new pet parents from scheduling a first visit as soon as they like. Even if a kitten isn’t due for shots or in need of care, it’s a great opportunity to get acquainted. Ideally, the vet you choose will help your kitten enjoy a long and healthy life. It’s never too early to start forging that relationship. Finding a kitten vet who’s just the right fit for your feline can be a bit daunting. Word-of-mouth referrals are a great place to start, as is using a trusted tool like the GreatPetCare Vet Finder, to discover highly-rated vets near you.

Kitten First Vet Visit: How to Prepare

OK, so you brought your new kitten home: Check. You’ve scheduled your first exam: Check! Now what?

The first few days at home with a new kitten can be somewhat chaotic. But don’t let your kitten’s adorable antics overshadow the job at hand. As a pet parent, there are two important steps you can take before your first vet visit to ensure it’s a success.

Help your kitten feel safe in carrier

Remember, everything is new to your kitten. And new experiences — like travel and vet visits — could easily overwhelm your new pet.

One way to help ease your kitten’s anxiety is to provide them with a safe space. So it’s crucial to start helping them form positive associations with their cat carrier on day one.

Start by choosing a safe cat carrier with a good crash test safety rating. It’s also a good idea to find a carrier that’s appealing enough to leave out in your home, like a piece of furniture.  Add a comfy blanket to the carrier and keep the door open, so it’s an inviting place for your kitten to explore. Whenever they enter the carrier, provide some yummy treats as a positive reward. 

When it’s time to head to the vet, place a t-shirt or stuffed animal inside the carrier for scent familiarity, warmth, and snuggle security. Finally, spraying a calming pheromone spray on the blanket and around the carrier can help reduce anxiety.

Gather paperwork and samples

Unfortunately, transporting your kitten safely to their first vet visit is only half the challenge facing new pet parents. To avoid a last-minute scramble as you head out the door, gather as much as you can ahead of time.

Here’s an easy new kitten vet checklist you can use:

• Cat carrier with treats and a familiar item from home
• ALL health records from the adoption
• A fecal sample from the last 24 hours
• Any supplements, vitamins, or current medications received from the shelter or breeder
• Microchip information (if already received)
• A list of questions (we’ll dig into this below)

What to Expect at First Vet Visit for Kitchen

Most kitten firsts are pretty exciting, but it’s normal to feel a little nervous about your pet’s first vet visit, too. However, knowing what to expect can make the experience easier on both you and your furry friend.

Most kitten vet appointments usually last between 30 to 60 minutes and include five key steps:

Getting to know your kitten

Just like human doctor visits, your kitten’s first vet visit starts with history taking and a physical exam.

First, the vet or vet tech will ask you some questions about your kitten’s history. Topics typically include where they came from, what they eat, and how they’ve been doing so far.

They’ll also check vital signs like pulse and breathing, and maybe even take their temperature. (Don’t worry, it’s quick!) Then, the veterinarian will do a full nose-to-tail exam to make sure your kitten is healthy.

Nutrition and behavior basics

Next comes a discussion about food and behavior. Your vet will provide nutrition recommendations, including types of diets and how to feed a kitten. They’ll also talk about normal kitten habits—like scratching and litter box use—as well as abnormal behaviors to watch out for. This is so you know what to expect and how to handle any quirks.

Socialization and spay/neuter talk

Kittens are like little sponges, eager to soak up new experiences. However, it’s important to do so safely. Here’s where your vet will offer socialization tips, including how to introduce your kitten to people, pets, and places in a positive way.

If your kitten isn’t already spayed or neutered, this is also when you’ll hear about the benefits of the procedure. Your vet will also talk about the options available and when, ideally, it should happen.

Vaccinations, deworming, and microchipping

Before this point, your exam will probably be mostly discussion. Now comes the most active (and often most anxiety-inducing) part of the exam. But, don’t worry. Vets are well trained to ease your pet’s fears…as well as your own!

Here’s what to expect:

• If needed, your kitten will receive deworming medication to clear out any intestinal parasites and eggs. This is often disguised as a tasty treat to help it go down easier.
• Next, your vet team will administer your kitten’s first vaccine shots. To avoid traumatic memories that could color future visits, vets use gentle, positive techniques for a stress-free experience.
• The veterinarian will also apply the first monthly complete parasite preventative (if due) or send the next dose home. 
• If your kitten is over 9 weeks old, the vet may also recommend a blood test to check for FeLV (feline leukemia virus) and FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus).
• If needed, you can also have your kitten microchipped at this time. The scannable chip will help improve your pet’s chances of being returned to you if they ever get lost.

Planning for the future

Before you leave, your vet will go over what’s next. This may include a discussion on the optimal kitten vet schedule, when to bring a kitten to the vet for your next follow-up, and what to expect as your kitten grows up.

This is also a great time to talk with your vet about pet healthcare costs. Keeping your kitten happy and healthy requires some financial investment. However, discussing options like pet health insurance and health savings accounts early on can help you plan for the future.

Speaking of financial planning, a common question I get is, “How much are vet visits for kittens?” The cost of a first vet visit will vary depending on the region of the country. However, the average cost typically ranges from $75 to $350 per visit if deworming, vaccination, parasite prevention, and microchipping are performed.

Questions to Ask at a New Kitten Vet Visit

Have you ever returned home from a doctor’s visit only to remember all the questions you meant to ask? To avoid that scenario with your vet, here’s a starter list of helpful questions to ask your vet during a kitten first vet visit:

• What should my kitten weigh, and how fast will they grow?
• What should my kitten be eating, and how much per day?
• Are they sleeping too much or too little?
• What are the common parasites of kittens? How can I prevent them?
• Do you recommend pet health insurance for cats?
• Do you have any grooming recommendations for my cat?
• What vaccinations does my kitten need, and does that change as they age?
• Where is the nearest emergency clinic? What constitutes an emergency?
• How do I take care of my cat’s teeth?
• How do I train my kitten to a scratching post?
• Is there anything breed-specific I should know or do about my kitten?

Post-Visit: Reminders for New Pet Parents

Surviving your first veterinary visit with a new kitten is cause for celebration! However, caring for your pet’s health is never a one-and-done scenario. For your kitten to thrive, you’ll need to forge a strong ongoing relationship with your veterinary team.

Here are a few things to keep in mind post-visit, to provide the best care for your kitten:

• If your kitten received vaccinations, stay alert for possible side effects. It’s normal for your kitten to sleepier than usual after receiving vaccination shots. They may also be slightly sore at the site of the injection. However, vomiting, extreme tiredness, facial swelling, or difficulty breathing is NOT normal. If you notice any of these worrisome signs, seek veterinary attention right away.
• If your kitten received a microchip, make sure to register it right away. And always ensure the registry contains your most up-to-date contact information. The microchip doesn’t do you any good if there’s no way to contact you once it’s scanned.
• To stay on the correct vaccine schedule, always schedule your next vet appointment before leaving the clinic. If, for some reason, that’s not possible, always check with your vet’s office to make sure you stay on the correct kitten vet visit schedule for optimal health and growth.
• Finally, keep an eye out for any signs that your kitten may need to see the veterinarian sooner. These could include extreme tiredness, injuries, squinting, respiratory changes like wheezing, coughing or difficulty breathing, vomiting or diarrhea, and any changes in appetite or behavior.

Your veterinary team wants to build a strong relationship with you and your kitten. With some teamwork and preparation, vet appointments for kittens don’t have to be stressful. Working closely with your veterinarian helps lay the foundation for a long, healthy life for your cat, and years of pet-parent bonding for you and your feline friend!