Home › Blog › How Much Does a Puppy's First Vet Visit Cost?

How Much Does a Puppy's First Vet Visit Cost?

Bringing a new puppy home is an exciting milestone, and registering with a vet and booking that first appointment is one of the most important early tasks. The first visit involves more than just a quick look-over — it sets the foundation for your puppy's lifelong health, and understanding the likely costs helps you plan the first few months of ownership confidently.

What Happens at a Puppy's First Vet Visit?

A puppy's first vet visit typically involves a comprehensive health examination — checking the eyes, ears, heart, lungs, abdomen, limbs, and skin — to identify any congenital problems or early health concerns. The vet will also review any documentation that came with the puppy, including any vaccinations or treatments already given by the breeder.

The visit is also an opportunity to discuss nutrition, socialisation, toilet training, neutering timing, parasite prevention, and pet insurance. Good vets use this first appointment to build a relationship with both you and your puppy, and to ensure you have all the information you need as a new owner.

The first appointment is usually slightly longer than a standard consultation — often 30–45 minutes — and this may be reflected in the fee, which typically ranges from £40 to £65. Some practices offer dedicated new puppy appointments at a slightly reduced rate as part of a welcome package.

What Will a Puppy Need in the First Few Months?

Most puppies need their primary vaccination course starting at around 8 weeks of age, consisting of two injections given 2–4 weeks apart. The national average cost for this two-injection course is around £95, with the range running from £56 to £152. Adding kennel cough vaccination brings the average to around £135.

Microchipping is a legal requirement for dogs and must be done before the puppy is 8 weeks old if not already completed by the breeder. At a vet practice, this costs between £21.60 and £40.50. Many breeders microchip before the puppy leaves, so check the documentation — but confirm that your contact details have been registered as the new owner.

Flea and worming prevention will also need to start in the first weeks. Many practices recommend prescription parasite prevention products over supermarket alternatives for their greater efficacy. Your vet will advise on the most appropriate products for your puppy's age, weight, and lifestyle.

Total Cost of a Puppy's First Vet Appointments

Adding up the first few months of veterinary costs gives a realistic picture of what to expect. A comprehensive first health check costs £40–£65. The primary vaccination course (two appointments) averages £95, potentially rising to £135 if kennel cough is included. Microchipping adds £21–£40 if not already done.

A follow-up post-vaccination check may be included in the vaccination fee at some practices or charged as an additional consultation. Flea and worming prevention products for the first three months might add £30–£50.

All in, a puppy owner should budget approximately £200–£300 for the first few months of vet care, not including any unexpected illness or injury. This is before you factor in insurance — which is worth taking out as early as possible, as pre-existing conditions noted at the first vet visit may be excluded from cover.

Keep all receipts and clinical records from these early appointments. They form the foundation of your puppy's health history and are valuable for insurance claims, future vets, and breed health scheme records. Many practices now offer a digital patient portal where these records are accessible on demand.

Puppy Health Plans: Are They Worth It?

Many veterinary practices offer puppy health plans that bundle vaccinations, microchipping, parasite prevention, and often neutering into a single monthly payment spread across the first year. These plans can offer good value if you use all the included services and the monthly fee represents a saving over paying for each item individually.

However, it is worth calculating the actual saving before signing up. Some plans include services you may not need (or that are already done) while omitting others. Check whether the plan is a contract, how long it runs for, and what happens if you move or change practices. Cancellation terms vary significantly.

Independently comparing the cost of each service using a tool like CompareMyVet, then comparing against the plan cost, is the most reliable way to assess whether a health plan represents genuine value.

If you do join a health plan, make a note of everything included and set a calendar reminder to review the plan when it comes up for renewal. Practices occasionally adjust what is included in plans, and checking annually ensures you are still getting good value compared to paying for each item individually.

How CompareMyVet Can Help

New puppy owners face a range of immediate vet costs and make long-term decisions about practice registration in a relatively short window. CompareMyVet helps you compare what local practices charge for standard services so you can choose confidently and avoid overpaying from day one.

Our live beta covers Brighton & Hove with 29 practices currently listed, and we are expanding to more UK regions throughout 2026. Make the right choice for your new puppy — and your budget — by comparing first.

Visit app.comparemyvet.uk to see prices at practices near you.

As the CMA's March 2026 reforms bring greater transparency to UK vet pricing, CompareMyVet is here to help you make the most of those changes. Whether you are registering a new pet, managing ongoing healthcare costs, or simply checking whether you are being charged a fair price, our platform puts the information you need in one place — clearly, honestly, and at no cost to you.