Puppy Health Journal: What to Track in the First Year

The first year of a dog's life is when more health-relevant things happen in a shorter period than at any other point. Multiple vet visits, a vaccination course, a worming schedule, microchipping, the neutering decision, rapid growth, and the establishment of a normal baseline - all in twelve months. According to the PDSA PAW Mini Report 2025, 14% of UK dog owners - around 1.5 million dogs - have been owned for one year or less, making the first-year health record not just useful but often the only structured health history a dog will have.

Most of it is easy to remember at the time. Less of it is easy to recall accurately a year later when you're filling in a new vet's intake form or trying to remember when exactly that first worming treatment was.

Start the journal when the puppy arrives. Here's what belongs in it.

The first few days

Note your puppy's weight on arrival - this is your baseline, and you'll compare everything against it. Record the date of birth if you know it, the breeder's name and contact details, and any health documentation that came with the puppy (vaccination records, worming history, microchip number).

If the puppy has already had their first vaccination from the breeder, record the vaccine name, batch number if it's on the paperwork, and the date. You'll need this for the next vet appointment.

Note anything about their behaviour and condition on arrival - how they're eating, whether they seem settled, any obvious signs of stress or illness. This isn't clinical information, but it's your earliest baseline.

The vaccination course

The standard puppy vaccination schedule in the UK involves two injections, typically given at around eight and ten to twelve weeks, depending on the vaccine used and the vet's protocol. Some practices use a three-injection course. Your vet will advise.

For each vaccination, record:

• Date
• Which vaccines were given (distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, leptospirosis, kennel cough - not all are given at every appointment)
• Vaccine brand and batch number if you can get it from the vet
• Any reaction in the 24–48 hours afterwards - mild lethargy and local soreness are common and normal; vomiting, facial swelling, or collapse are emergencies

The full vaccination course gives immunity. Until it's complete - and for a short period afterwards while immunity establishes - your puppy shouldn't mix with unvaccinated dogs or areas where unknown dogs walk. Your vet will tell you when it's safe.

Annual booster vaccinations begin the following year. Note them in the same format.

Microchipping

All dogs in the UK must be microchipped by eight weeks old - it's a legal requirement. If the breeder has done this, you should receive a microchip number and details of the registration database it's registered with.

Record the microchip number and check the registration details are in your name with current contact information. If you move or change phone number, update the database - the microchip is only useful if it leads back to you.

Worming

Puppies from reputable breeders will have been wormed before you take them home - typically at two, four, six, and eight weeks. Record what product was used and the dates, if the breeder provided this information.

After that, the standard recommendation is to worm puppies monthly until six months old, then every three months as adults (though your vet may advise differently based on lifestyle and lungworm risk in your area).

Log each treatment: product name, date, dose. This becomes important if your puppy has a worm burden despite treatment, because the vet needs to know what's been tried and when.

Flea and tick prevention

Most breeders will advise starting flea prevention from around eight weeks. Log the product, the date, and the next due date. Note whether the product also covers ticks - particularly relevant if you walk in areas with deer or long grass.

Weight

Weigh your puppy monthly. The chart of their weight over the first year tells you a lot about their development and whether their growth rate is appropriate. Unexpected weight loss or a plateau in a growing puppy is worth flagging to your vet. The PDSA PAW Mini Report 2025 found that 82% of UK dog owners are unaware of their dog's body condition score - making the first year of systematic weight recording a critical habit to establish before gradual weight changes become invisible.

Most vet practices will weigh your puppy at every appointment - make sure you record the number and date each time.

Vet appointments

Record every visit: the date, the reason, what the vet found, any treatment, and any instructions or follow-up required. In the first year this will include the vaccination appointments plus any illness or injury visits.

Note anything the vet flags for monitoring - "keep an eye on that heart murmur" or "he's a bit on the heavy side for his age" are the kinds of comments that get forgotten between appointments but matter at the next one.

The neutering decision

The right time to neuter depends on the breed, sex, and emerging research. Large-breed dogs - particularly males - may benefit from waiting until skeletal maturity, which can be 18–24 months. Small breeds can often be neutered earlier. The research on optimal timing is evolving.

Whatever you decide, record the date and the procedure. Note any complications and the recovery period.

Behaviour and development milestones

This isn't strictly medical, but keep a note of the first time your puppy did various things - first recall, first time off lead, first time they settled in the car, first night without waking. This creates a record of normal development and gives context if behavioural issues emerge later.

Also note anything that seemed unusual: fearful reactions, aggression during handling, reluctance to be touched in certain areas. Early behavioural signals are worth having on record.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should my puppy have their first vet visit? Within the first few days of bringing them home, ideally. Your vet will do a general health check, confirm or start the vaccination course, discuss worming and flea prevention, and give you a chance to ask questions. Starting this relationship early is worthwhile.

What vaccinations does my puppy need in the UK? The core vaccines are distemper, parvovirus, and infectious canine hepatitis (often given as a combined DHPPi vaccine) plus leptospirosis. Kennel cough vaccination is recommended if your dog will go into kennels, training classes, or mix with other dogs regularly. Rabies vaccination is required for international travel.

Do I need to keep my puppy's original vaccination card? Yes. The card or certificate from the vet is proof of vaccination and is required by many kennels, groomers, and training classes. Keep it somewhere accessible, not in the bottom of a drawer.

My puppy seems a bit flat after vaccinations. Is that normal? Mild lethargy and slight soreness at the injection site are common in the 24–48 hours after vaccination and are not a cause for concern. More significant reactions - persistent vomiting, facial swelling, difficulty breathing, collapse - are rare but require immediate veterinary attention.

What's the best age to neuter a puppy? There's no single answer. Speak to your vet about the current guidance for your puppy's breed and sex. The traditional advice of six months is being revised for some breeds and sizes. Your vet will have current guidance and can advise based on your individual dog.