How Often Should Your Pup Visit the Vet?

We all know the importance of vet visits for our dog. But do you know exactly why and how often you should take Fido on a vet visit? If you don't, or even if you think you do, we're here to help! 

 First, we'll start with when your dog is a puppy. Up until one year, your dog will need more frequent pet visits than later in their life. Your pup should go in for vaccines once every month until he's four months old. Shots at this time should include rabies, distemper, kennel cough, influenza, and Lyme disease. 

At four months old, your vet will then give you heartworm and fleat/tick prevention. Your pup will get a full examination to make they're growing properly. After that, you should bring them in at six months old so they can get spayed or neutered. 

Things go a little differently when your dog is one to seven years old. When you dog is between those ages, they should have a yearly checkup, just like you do when you're a human. They'll do a head-to-toe physical every year on your pup to make sure they are happy and healthy. 

Another round of distemper/rabies should be done at one year old. After that, you should take them back every 3 years to get another round of shots and make sure that they're protected! With every checkup, it's also helpful to bring a stool sample from your pup so that the vet can check for any intestinal parasites. 

When you dog is older than 7, their vet visits should be more often. Depending on the average lifespan of your dog's breed, you could start this process earlier or later than age 7. When they're officially "seniors", dogs will need to have pet visits more often to monitor their health. They should have two pet visits a year, one every six months Here, your vet will perform a physical along with tests that address common old-age issues. 

When they start to get older, you should keep an eye on your dog as you might see some changes that could signal something more serious. If your dog has trouble walking or drinking more water than usual, you'll want to take them in for the precautionary vet visit. 

You can always ask your vet more questions are clarify with them how often they should see you. They'll always help you keep your pup looking and feeling their best.