Your Trusted Kitten & Puppy Vet in Columbus, Ohio
Bringing home a new puppy or kitten is one of life's great joys — and one of its great responsibilities. Those first months are a critical window for vaccines, early disease detection, and building the healthy habits that set your pet up for life. At PAWS, we provide comprehensive kitten and puppy care with low-stress handling, individualized vaccine protocols, and the kind of compassionate, attentive approach your new family member deserves. We take time at every visit to answer your questions, address your concerns, and make sure your pet actually enjoys coming to the vet.
Services We Offer: Comprehensive Puppy & Kitten Veterinary Care in Columbus
Wellness Exams & Physical Examinations
We recommend bringing puppies and kittens in for their first exam within two weeks of bringing them home — ideally starting at 8 weeks of age, with follow-up visits at 12 and 16 weeks. Each visit includes a thorough nose-to-tail physical exam where we assess your pet's overall development and screen for congenital or developmental issues, including hernias, undescended testicles, ocular abnormalities, jaw and bite alignment, and orthopedic concerns. Early detection leads to earlier intervention and better health outcomes.
Dental Care
Dental disease is extremely common in senior cats and dogs. Years of tartar buildup, untreated gingivitis, and damaged teeth can cause significant pain and contribute to systemic health problems. Many pet owners hesitate to pursue dental care for their older pets out of concern for anesthesia, but that shouldn't stand in the way of treatment. In many cases, a healthy senior pet can safely undergo a professional dental cleaning, which can dramatically boost their comfort and quality of life.
Vaccines & Immunizations
Core and lifestyle vaccines are tailored to your pet's individual needs, risk factors, and environment. One vaccine is not enough — puppies and kittens require a series of boosters to build effective, lasting immunity. That’s especially critical for preventing parvovirus, a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease in puppies that is entirely preventable with proper vaccination. We'll make sure your pet is fully protected on the right schedule with vaccines and immunizations against rabies, distemper, and more.
Dental Care
Dental disease is extremely common in senior cats and dogs. Years of tartar buildup, untreated gingivitis, and damaged teeth can cause significant pain and contribute to systemic health problems. Many pet owners hesitate to pursue dental care for their older pets out of concern for anesthesia, but that shouldn't stand in the way of treatment. In many cases, a healthy senior pet can safely undergo a professional dental cleaning, which can dramatically boost their comfort and quality of life.
Flea, Tick & Heartworm Prevention
Prevention can begin as early as 6 to 8 weeks of age, and we address it at your very first visit. Many new pet owners don't realize just how early parasite prevention needs to start — we'll make sure you leave with everything you need to keep your pet protected.
Spay & Neuter Planning
The right timing for spay or neuter depends on your pet's species, size, breed, and lifestyle. For cats, spaying is typically recommended around 6 months of age, while neutering can often be performed once a kitten reaches approximately 3 pounds. For smaller dog breeds, we generally recommend spay or neuter around 6 to 8 months. For larger breeds, emerging research supports waiting until closer to 12 months to allow for more complete skeletal and ligament development. Our veterinarians for puppies in Columbus will help you determine the right spay or neuter plan for your pet.
Infectious Disease Screening
For kittens with unknown or stray histories, we recommend testing for feline leukemia (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). We also perform fecal testing at early visits to screen for intestinal parasites — common in young animals and important to catch early, both for your pet's health and your family's.
Dental Care
Dental disease is extremely common in senior cats and dogs. Years of tartar buildup, untreated gingivitis, and damaged teeth can cause significant pain and contribute to systemic health problems. Many pet owners hesitate to pursue dental care for their older pets out of concern for anesthesia, but that shouldn't stand in the way of treatment. In many cases, a healthy senior pet can safely undergo a professional dental cleaning, which can dramatically boost their comfort and quality of life.
Nutrition Counseling
What your pet eats in their first months of life lays the foundation for long-term health. Our team provides guidance on age-appropriate nutrition for puppies and kittens, helping you choose the right diet based on your pet's breed, size, and individual needs.
Behavior & Training Guidance
Early visits are also an opportunity to talk through everything you need to know as a new pet owner. We discuss potty training, crate training, appropriate socialization for your pet's age and vaccine status, and environmental enrichment. We'll help you understand what's normal, what to watch out for, and how to set your pet up for a lifetime of good habits.
Pet Insurance Guidance
We encourage all new pet owners to consider pet insurance early — before any health issues arise, since pre-existing conditions won't be covered. We're happy to talk through what to look for so you can make an informed decision.
Why Choose PAWS as Your Puppy or Kitten Vet in Columbus
A Low-Stress Start to a Lifetime of Vet Visits
We Know Your Pet from Day One
The way a pet experiences early vet visits shapes how they feel about veterinary care for the rest of their life. We use treats, positive reinforcement, and patience at every visit, never pushing a young animal past their comfort zone. Our team is genuinely enthusiastic about working with puppies and kittens, and it shows.
Building a relationship with your vet early has real, practical benefits. If your pet ever needs urgent care, we already know their history, their baseline, and what's normal for them — which helps us help them faster.
Individualized Care at Every Stage
We don't apply a one-size-fits-all approach to puppy or kitten veterinary care in Columbus. Vaccine schedules, spay and neuter timing, nutrition recommendations, and preventive care are all tailored to your individual pet's needs, breed, lifestyle, and risk factors.
Comprehensive Care Under One Roof
From that very first puppy or kitten visit through wellness exams, dentistry, and surgery, PAWS is equipped to care for your pet at every stage of life.
How Much Does Vet Care for Kittens or Puppies Cost?
The cost of kitten and puppy care varies. It depends on your pet's individual needs, the services provided at each visit, and whether any additional screening or treatment is recommended along the way. We're always happy to walk you through recommended services and associated costs during your visit, so you feel informed and confident about the care your new pet is receiving.
Investing in your pet's health during their first year of life pays dividends down the road. Completing the vaccine series on schedule, starting parasite prevention early, and catching any congenital or developmental issues promptly can help you avoid more significant health problems — and more significant expenses — later on. As your pet grows, we'll provide clear guidance on what to expect and plan for at each stage.
Did You Know?
The socialization window — the period when puppies are most receptive to new experiences — begins to close around 12 to 16 weeks. Controlled interactions with known, healthy, vaccinated dogs in safe environments are generally appropriate before the vaccine series is complete. High-traffic public spaces like dog parks should wait. We'll help you understand what's safe and what to avoid at each stage so your puppy can socialize confidently without unnecessary risk.
"We want puppies and kittens to actually enjoy coming to see us. Lots of treats, lots of praise, minimal restraint — we'll look a little ridiculous if that's what it takes to make your pet feel safe and comfortable."
— Dr. Rob Harney, Co-Founder and Veterinarian
Frequently Asked Questions About Vet Care for Kittens and Puppies
Not necessarily, but we'll need to evaluate what was given and when. Over-the-counter vaccines purchased from farm supply stores are often less effective than those administered by a veterinarian, and the schedule may not have been ideal. We'll review what your pet has already received and build a plan from there to make sure they're fully protected.
As soon as possible after bringing your pet home — ideally within the first two weeks. If your pet is already past 16 weeks and hasn't been seen yet, don't wait. We’ll help you build a catch-up plan that fits their age and circumstances.
Yes. Heartworm prevention can begin as early as 6 to 8 weeks of age, and we recommend starting it at your pet's first visit. Many owners assume this is something to address later, but prevention is far easier, safer, and less expensive than treatment.
That's completely normal, and it's something we actively work to address. We use low-stress handling throughout every visit with plenty of patience, treats, and positive reinforcement. If your pet is particularly anxious, let us know when you call to schedule and we can discuss ways to make the visit easier for them.
We recommend it, and the sooner the better. Pet insurance works best when you enroll early — before any health issues develop — because pre-existing conditions typically won't be covered. We're happy to talk through the basics at your first visit so you can make an informed decision for your pet and your family.
Give Your New Pet a Healthy Start
Whether you've just brought home your first puppy or you're welcoming a new kitten — or both — PAWS is here to partner with you every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule your new pet's first exam.
Location & Hours
PAWS Veterinary Primary Care 8321 North High Street Columbus, Ohio 43235
Phone: (614) 647-2499
Email: info@pawsvetprimarycare.com
Hours: Open daily 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM CLOSED WEDNESDAYS + WEEKENDS