Starting Their Story Off Right

Bringing home a new puppy or kitten is one of the best feelings in the world — and one of the busiest. There are vaccines to schedule, questions to ask, behaviors to figure out, and a whole lot of “wait, is this normal?” moments in those first months.

We’re here for all of it.

At Rialto Animal Hospital, we’ve been welcoming Inland Empire puppies and kittens (and their nervous new pet parents) into our hospital since 1959. Our goal is simple: to set your new family member up for a lifetime of great health — and to give you the guidance, education, and reassurance you need along the way.

Your First Visit

Your puppy or kitten’s first visit is the foundation for everything that follows. During this exam, we’ll:

  • Perform a thorough nose-to-tail physical exam to confirm your new pet is healthy
  • Begin their vaccine series based on age and lifestyle
  • Test for parasites and start preventive care
  • Talk through nutrition — what to feed, how much, and when to transition
  • Cover the early questions — house training, litter box habits, socialization, biting, scratching, sleep schedules, and everything in between
  • Build a custom plan for the months ahead

We’ll also take the time to answer every single question you’ve been saving up — even the ones you’re slightly embarrassed to ask. (We promise we’ve heard them before.)

Vaccines for Puppies and Kittens

Both puppies and kittens typically begin their vaccine series around 6 to 8 weeks of age and continue every 3 to 4 weeks until they’re approximately 20 weeks old. We tailor every vaccine plan to your pet’s lifestyle and individual risk factors.

Puppy vaccines typically protect against parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, rabies, and canine influenza.

Kitten vaccines typically protect against feline distemper (panleukopenia), upper respiratory viruses, rabies, and feline leukemia (depending on lifestyle).

Skipping or delaying, and/or not completing their full vaccine series, leaves young pets vulnerable to serious diseases, so consistency really matters in those first few months.

Spay and Neuter Timing

We generally recommend spaying or neutering between 6 and 12 months of age, though the ideal timing depends on your pet’s breed, size, and individual health. Larger breed dogs may benefit from waiting a bit longer for orthopedic reasons. Our doctors will help you decide what’s right for your puppy or kitten during one of their early visits.

Beyond the Basics

Puppy and kitten care is about more than vaccines and weight checks. It’s about giving you the tools and confidence to navigate the early months — and starting a relationship with a veterinary team that will be there for the long haul.

That means we’ll also talk through:

  • Behavior and socialization — what’s normal, what’s worth addressing
  • Microchipping — your pet’s best chance of coming home if they ever get lost
  • Parasite prevention — fleas, ticks, heartworm, intestinal parasites
  • Dental care at home (yes, even for puppies and kittens)
  • What to expect at every life stage from kittenhood/puppyhood through adulthood

Considering Pet Insurance?

We never want financial concerns to stand in the way of your pet receiving the care they need. Pet insurance can help families prepare for unexpected illnesses, accidents, emergency visits, surgeries, and chronic medical conditions.

While pet insurance can be beneficial for almost any pet, it is especially worth considering for purebred, higher-risk breeds that may be predisposed to hereditary conditions such as allergies, orthopedic injuries, heart disease, cancer, or other lifelong health concerns. The best time to enroll is when your pet is young and healthy, before medical conditions become pre-existing and potentially excluded from coverage.

Because every pet and family is different, we encourage pet owners to compare multiple plans and coverage options before choosing a policy. A helpful comparison tool is available through Pawlicy Advisor, which allows you to compare coverage, costs, deductibles, reimbursement rates, and exclusions from many of the most popular pet insurance providers in one place.

Our team is always happy to discuss common medical conditions we see in your pet’s breed and help you understand what factors may be important when evaluating coverage options.

Schedule Your Puppy or Kitten’s First Visit

If you’ve just brought home a new puppy or kitten — congratulations! We’d love to meet them. Call us at (909) 875-6161 or request an appointment online to schedule their first visit.

For New PUPPY Information (Vaccination and Health Care Schedule), CLICK HERE

For New KITTEN Information (Vaccination and Health Care Schedule), CLICK HERE