- How Often Should I Take My Dog to the Vet?
- September 8, 2021
How Often Should You Take Your Dog to the Vet?
Many people choose to stick to an easy once-a-year check-up schedule for their furry friends, but is it enough?
The truth is, how often you should take your dog to the vet largely depends on the general health and age of your dog.
For example, senior dogs and puppies require more frequent visits, while healthy adults can get away with annual check-ups.
In this article, we are going to cover everything you need to know to determine when it is time to take your dog to the vet.
How Often to Take Your Dog to the Vet:
A Complete Guide
While any dog requires regular visits to the veterinarian office, the frequency of these visits can vary greatly.
Generally, all dogs should have a full physical exam at least once per year.
You and your vet will be able to develop a more specific schedule, depending on where in their life your companion is.
1. Puppies (birth to six months)
From behaviour training to destroying everything in the house, puppies require a lot of consistent work. Naturally, they require some extra visits to the vet as well.
From behaviour training to destroying everything in the house, puppies require a lot of consistent work. Naturally, they require some extra visits to the vet as well.
Birth to 16 Weeks
- 1. First exam. All puppies require a veterinary examination as soon as you first get them (within the first 72 hours). This is true even if you have adopted your pup from a breeder that claims to be up-to-date with vaccinations and vet visits.
During this first exam, the vet will check your puppy’s general health and test for parasites. They will make sure that the puppy is developing properly and is at a healthy weight.
- 2-5. Puppy vaccinations. Puppies require a series of vaccinations, so they will need to see the vet every 3 to 4 weeks up until they are 16 weeks old.
These include vaccines for distemper, rabies, parvovirus, and more. They are very important to make sure your puppy starts life with a healthy foundation.
- Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention. Ideally, you should start heartworm treatments no later than 8 weeks old.
Around 12-16 weeks, your puppy may also require a tick- or flea-prevention medication.
Six Months
Once your puppy reaches six months of age, you can bring them back to the vet for neutering or spaying.
This is also a good time for another physical exam.
2. Adult Dogs (1 year to 7-10 years)
- Rule of thumb: Once per year.
Depending on the specific breed, dogs are considered to be adults between 1 and 7 to 10 years of age.
If your adult dog is healthy, you can bring them for a physical exam once a year.
At these visits, they will receive the necessary booster vaccine shots. For example, rabies and distemper-parvo boosters need to be repeated every three years.
The vet will also run a series of tests to ensure that your companion is healthy, including fecal testing to heartworm testing.
3. Senior Dogs (7+ years)
- Rule of thumb: Twice per year.
- Rule of thumb: Twice per year.
For senior dogs, check-ups should be conducted semi-annually.
As they age, dogs become more prone to health problems, and the early detection can mean a better quality of life for your furry friend.
During these check-ups, the vet will also discuss how often you should take your dog to the vet at each stage of life, as well as any possible changes in your pet’s habits.
The vet will often recommend a special diet to meet the changing nutritional needs of an aging dog.
What Does an Annual Vet Exam Consist Of?
These comprehensive vet examinations are designed to prolong life and prevent disease in your dog companions.
During each exam, the vet will measure your dog’s temperature and check their respiration and pulse.
They will talk with you about:
- your dog’s lifestyle,
- diet,
- dental care,
- vaccinations,
- parasites, and
- any routine tests that can provide them with more information about your dog’s general health.
When visiting your vet, consider discussing the following topics:
They will talk with you about:
- your dog’s lifestyle,
- diet,
- dental care,
- vaccinations,
- parasites, and
- any routine tests that can provide them with more information about your dog’s general health.
When visiting your vet, consider discussing the following topics:
- Nutrition. The vet will provide tools that will enable you to keep your pup at a healthy weight. They will also share advice about the safety and quality of food and nutritional supplements.
- Dental care. With appropriate care, dental disease can be minimized or prevented altogether. Your vet will perform a preliminary oral examination while your dog is awake and then demonstrate dental home care options. However, a more thorough oral exam requires your dog to be anesthetized.
- Behavior. Make sure to ask your vet about normal behaviour, obedience training, and problem behaviour like adult dog phobias or puppy anxiety issues.
- Safety. Your vet can also help you to identify everyday hazards, such as medications, plants, and human foods that are toxic to dogs, as well as wildlife that can harm your furry friend.
- Zoonotic and shared diseases. These are diseases that are transmitted between animals and people. Routine testing for such diseases can help to protect both your dog and your family.
- Reproduction and breeding. If you choose to have your dog spayed or neutered, the vet will explain all the benefits and concerns in detail. They can also screen your dog for breed-specific disorders if you are planning on breeding.
When to Take Your Dog to the Vet RIGHT AWAY
In addition to regularly scheduled visits, certain situations require immediate veterinary care. Knowing the signs that ask for emergency treatment can help you to make a quick decision and potentially save your dog’s life.
As such, if your dog displays any of the following symptoms, make sure to call the vet right away:
In addition to regularly scheduled visits, certain situations require immediate veterinary care. Knowing the signs that ask for emergency treatment can help you to make a quick decision and potentially save your dog’s life.
As such, if your dog displays any of the following symptoms, make sure to call the vet right away:
- Difficult or rapid breathing. Every dog pants after exercise or on a hot day, but they should not have any trouble breathing after resting or returning to cool temperatures. While your dog may be experiencing some allergies or have a cold, it is important to take your pet to the vet to determine if there are any more serious issues.
- Changes in eating habits. Any changes to how your dog eats warrants a visit to the vet. If your pup is suddenly refusing his regular foods or treats, it could indicate digestive issues or even a serious obstruction in the intestines.
- Vomiting or changes in stool. Throwing up food once or having a bit of diarrhea is not always a concern, but it can become a problem if the issue persists for longer than 24 hours.
- Drinking a lot or too little. Failure to urinate or not drinking enough water can also indicate digestive concerns. On the other hand, if the dog is urinating or drinking excessively, the vet should check them for kidney disease or diabetes.
- Lack of energy or lethargy. While this is more of a concern for puppies and younger dogs, lethargy at any age can signal that your dog is ill.
- Red, irritated, or weeping eyes. Irritants or infection can affect the way your dog’s eyes look. If you notice redness, tearing, or excess mucus in your pup’s eyes, you should get them checked out by a professional.
- Rashes or hair and skin changes. Your vet can help to determine the causes of skin or hair problems and recommend a solution to make your dog more comfortable.
- Difficulty with regular movement or poor balance. Whenever you notice the changes in balance or movement of your pet dog, make sure to book an appointment with the vet right away.
- Aggressive or unusual behaviour. Anytime your dog’s behaviour changes suddenly, it’s an indication that something is not right, so make sure to book a vet appointment as soon as possible.
- Whining, wincing, or crying. These behaviours can indicate that your dog is experiencing an injury or pain.
You know your dog best, so it is important to trust your instincts in situations like this. As a rule of thumb, if your pup’s behaviour changes suddenly, it is time for a vet visit.
Average Cost of Vet Visits for Dogs
Of course, getting a dog comes with significant commitments, both in terms of time and finances. Generally, the cost of vet visits depends on where you live, but there are some typical costs as outlined by the American Kennel Club.
Puppies
The total cost of vet exams for puppies under one year old comes out to just around $1,000:
- Annual physical exam: $58
- Heartworm test and prevention: $127
- Vaccinations: $268
- Spay/neuter: $175
- Fecal exam: $60
- Flea and tick prevention: $190
- Dental cleaning, if necessary: $125
Estimated total: $1,003
Of course, it will always vary by breed, location, and your dog’s health status.
Adult Dogs
The annual veterinary cost for adult dogs varies greatly depending on your dog’s breed, health, and lifestyle factors. Typically, you can expect to pay between $700 and $1,500 per year for routine visits, including the exam, any necessary vaccines and lab tests, and dental care.
As your pet ages, and you take them to the vet more often, the associated costs are expected to increase as well.
Your Dog’s Health is in Your Hands
While having a dog is undeniably attractive, remember that it comes with a lot of responsibility.
Be prepared for continuous behaviour training, daily grooming and maintenance, and regular veterinary visits.
If you are still not sure how often you should take your dog to the vet, give your veterinary clinic a call to develop a customized schedule for the office visits.
With a little bit of work and commitment, you will be able to ensure that your furry friend stays healthy and happy, and keeps you company for many years to come.
