How Often Should Your Dog Visit The Vet?

Taking your dog to the vet regularly for a checkup is an important part of being a responsible dog parent as it can help identify issues quickly. However, at some point, you may wonder how often you should do it.

Your dog's age and health history are factors to consider when determining how often you should take them to the vet for a checkup. Here are some recommendations you may follow: 

Puppy (Birth to 1 year)

Puppies need regular vet appointments until they complete their first shots. Once they've gotten all the necessary shots, they only need to visit the vet annually for a wellness checkup.

Young adult dog (1 year to 7 years)

Young adult dogs need to visit the vet once a year. The visit would include an overall wellness check, medication refills, and vaccine boosters.

Senior adult dogs (8+ years)

Senior dogs should take a trip to the vet every six months for a wellness checkup, including checking for any masses and bloodwork.

It is easy to skip taking your dog to the vet for a routine checkup when they are healthy. However, remember that these visits are important to help your vet catch subtle but important changes in their body.

Many health complications in dogs can be prevented or easily treated if dictated early. Also, taking your dog to the vet regularly can help keep them current on vaccines.