Bringing home a new puppy or kitten is a joyful, exciting time. Between first cuddles, training, and introducing them to their new world, it’s easy to overlook one essential part of their health: heartworm prevention. Many pet owners think of heartworm as a disease that affects older pets, but the truth is that protection should start early. For National Heartworm Awareness Month, Mount Berry Animal Hospital is bringing you a guide to explain why your youngest pets need heartworm prevention.
Young Pets Are Vulnerable to Heartworm Disease
Heartworm disease doesn’t wait for pets to grow up. Mosquitoes can bite puppies and kittens just as easily as adult animals, and once infected, the larvae begin traveling through their small, developing bodies. Because puppies and kittens have smaller hearts and more delicate lungs, even a mild heartworm infection can cause severe problems. Early heartworm prevention keeps them safe while they grow and thrive.
Starting heartworm prevention early builds lifelong habits that protect your pet well beyond their puppy or kitten days. Early benefits include:
- Keeping your pet safe during their most vulnerable stage
- Creating a monthly routine that becomes second nature
- Reducing the risk of an accidental missed dose
- Making regular vet visits for growth checks and medication updates
The earlier you start giving your pet heartworm preventatives, the easier it is to maintain consistent care.
Heartworm Prevention Options for Puppies and Kittens
The timing of starting heartworm prevention depends on your pet’s age, size, and health. For puppies and kittens, prevention typically starts around 8 weeks of age, depending on the product and their weight. For puppies over 7 months old who haven’t started prevention yet, a heartworm test is strongly recommended before beginning any medication. Your veterinarian will make sure your young pet gets started safely and on schedule.
Young pets need heartworm preventives that are formulated for their size and growth stage. Options include:
- Oral Heartworm Medications: Flavored chews for pets that love treats.
- Topical treatments: Easy-to-apply liquid formulas absorbed through the skin.
- Combination Products: Many preventatives also protect against other parasites like fleas, ticks, and intestinal worms.
As your puppy ages, there is also an injectable option for 6 or 12 months coverage specifically for adult dogs. Your vet will help you select the right option and adjust as your pet grows to make sure they remain fully protected.
Heartworm Testing Matters, Even for Young Pets
Even if your young pet is on prevention, annual heartworm testing is still important as they grow. This confirms that the preventative is effective and that no heartworm disease infection has slipped through the cracks. Young pets grow quickly, which means:
- Dosage needs may change as they gain weight
- Missed doses or accidental medication errors can happen
- Testing provides peace of mind during development
Annual heartworm tests can easily be performed as part of your pet’s wellness exams for complete parasite protection.
Start Strong with Heartworm Prevention in Rome, GA
Your puppy or kitten depends on you to keep them safe from the very start. Protecting them against heartworm disease is one of the simplest—and most important—steps you can take for their health. At Mount Berry Animal Hospital, we’ll help you build a prevention plan that grows with your pet and keeps them healthy for years to come. Have a new puppy or kitten at home? If you are a pet owner in Rome, Georgia or surrounding areas like Bartow County and Polk County, book an appointment for your pet’s first heartworm prevention visit today!
