Puppy’s First Year: Essential Health Steps — Why Heartworm Protection Should Start Early

Your puppy’s first year is full of excitement — new adventures, endless learning, and plenty of happy chaos. But it’s also the most important time to build the foundation for lifelong health. One essential part of that foundation is early heartworm prevention.

Heartworm disease is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition spread by mosquitoes. Even young puppies can be at risk, which is why many veterinarians recommend starting prevention early — often as young as 6 weeks of age, depending on the specific product and your veterinarian’s guidance.
Heartgard® Plus is one commonly used, vet-recommended option designed to make monthly protection easy.

Why Early Heartworm Prevention Matters

1. Puppies Are Surprisingly Vulnerable

Even though your puppy spends most of their time indoors or in your fenced yard, mosquitoes don’t respect boundaries. A single infected mosquito bite can transmit heartworm larvae, which grow into adult worms in the heart and lungs if left untreated.

2. Prevention Is Easier — and Safer — Than Treatment

Heartworm treatment for adult dogs can be costly, difficult, and stressful. Prevention, on the other hand, is simple: a once-a-month chewable given on schedule. Starting early helps ensure your puppy is protected from the start.

3. Puppies Grow Fast — and Their Protection Should Keep Up

Your puppy might double or triple in size within a few months. Since heartworm preventive products come in different dose strengths based on weight, you’ll need to keep an eye on your puppy’s growth:

• Weigh your puppy regularly

• Update the dose size when your vet tells you

• Stay consistent — never skip a month

This ensures your puppy is always receiving the correct level of protection.

Why Many Pet Owners Choose Heartgard® Plus

Heartgard® Plus is popular among puppy owners for several reasons:

✓ Suitable for Puppies 6 Weeks and Older

This makes it easy to start prevention early, right when your veterinarian gives the go-ahead.

✓ Treats More Than Just Heartworm

It also helps control common intestinal worms like roundworms and hookworms — parasites puppies are especially prone to contracting.

✓ Easy-to-Give Chewable

Many dogs think it tastes like a treat, making monthly dosing simple and stress-free for new pet parents.

✓ Trusted by Veterinarians

Heartgard® Plus has a long track record of use and is widely recommended by veterinary professionals.

Staying on Schedule: The Key to Effective Protection

Heartworm preventives work by eliminating larvae from the previous month, meaning each dose is time-sensitive. Puppies are playful, distracting, and full of surprises — so it’s easy to forget a dose without a system.

Here are simple ways to stay consistent:

• Set a phone reminder on the same day each month

• Keep the medication where you’ll see it (but out of your puppy’s reach!)

• Pair dosing with a monthly routine (grooming, nail trim, flea/tick preventive, etc.)

• Mark your calendar or use a pet health tracking app

Consistency is the best way to ensure your puppy stays protected year-round.

Talk to Your Veterinarian Before Starting Any Preventive

Before beginning any heartworm preventive — including Heartgard® Plus — your vet may perform a simple heartworm test (depending on age and history) and confirm the correct dose for your puppy’s weight. This step ensures safe, effective use from the very beginning.

Final Thoughts

Your puppy’s first year is an adventure full of learning, bonding, and milestones. By starting heartworm prevention early and staying consistent, you’re giving your dog a strong, healthy foundation for many happy years to come.