How often should I take my dog to the vet?

Preventative care ensures your dog stays happy and healthy. You might wonder if taking Fido to the vet once a year is enough. Truthfully, it’s not that simple. It depends on a couple of variables including your dog’s life stage and general health. For example, puppies and senior dogs need more frequent visits, while healthy adult dogs can get away with the annual check-up. Remember, these visits help extend your dog’s life and keep you from having to pay copious amounts of money down the road. 

Below we’ll break down how often to take your dog to the vet using your dog’s age. 

Less than One Year Old:

You’ll see your vet often during the puppy stage. For the first sixteen weeks of their life, experts recommend going in every three to four weeks for a general checkup and vaccination until they’re sixteen weeks old. 

Puppy Vaccine Schedule Guidelines:

6-8 weeks: first DHPP shot (Distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvo)

10-12 weeks: second DHPP shot

12-24 weeks: rabies

14-16 weeks: third DHPP shot

If your dog is social, the vet may recommend bordetella, parainfluenza, and canine influenza. If you live in an area with a Lyme or leptospirosis endemic, these may be recommended to you as well. 

Adult Dog (1-7 Years Old)

Congratulations! You’re now in the lower-maintenance stage of your dog’s life. At your dog’s first year check-up, your dog will likely receive another distemper-parvo and rabies booster shot. If you socialize your dog at dog parks or doggy daycare, your vet may recommend a kennel cough vaccine. Depending on your lifestyle other vaccines could be recommended as well. At following annual checkups, your dog might get another rabies booster, depending largely on whether you got a 1-3 year rabies shot. 

During your annual checkup, you’ll also get a refill of heartworm and tick and flea preventative along with a general checkup. If you have any health concerns, let your veterinarian know. Otherwise, will do a head-to-tail look-over and they might occasionally do some blood and/or fecal labs. 

Senior Dog (8+ Years Old)

When your dog is a senior, they’re more likely to get sick or have age-related ailments. If your dog stays healthy and active, your dog may only require a check-up once a year. As they age and it starts to show, your veterinarian may recommend more frequent visits. 

Your dog will also require more frequent blood and fecal exams to get a full picture of its health.

When to See the Vet Immediately:

1. Not eating/drinking
2. Vomiting/Diarrhea for more than 24 hours
3. Vomiting blood
4. Difficulty Breathing 
5. Seizing 
6. Been hit by a car
7. You suspect they have a broken bone
8. They eat something poisonous 
9. Suddenly collapse or can’t stand
10. Won’t wake up
11. They act lethargic 
12. Sudden mood change or suddenly aggressive

If your dog exhibits any of these behaviors, take them to the vet. Call your veterinarian and describe what you see if it’s not listed above. If it’s something they believe is urgent, they’ll let you know and schedule you or refer you somewhere for immediate attention. 

Veterinarian Check-Up Tips;

1. If your dog gets anxious going to the vet, see if you can get a medication to help calm them down in preparation.
2. Keep your dog on a leash at all times. 
3. If you have any concerns or questions, make note of them before your visit. 
4. Your dog looks to you to know how to act so remember to stay calm and relaxed. 

We love our dogs and we always want to do what’s best for them. Preventative care at all life stages prolongs your dog’s life and sets them up to feel as good as they possibly can. Be sure to check in with your vet at least once a year and enjoy every minute you can with your pup.