How Often Should I Take My Dog to the Veterinarian?

Puppies Up to 1 Year of Age: Visits as Needed

In the first 16 weeks of your new puppy’s life, they’ll need several vaccines to help keep them healthy. That means your puppy will need to go to visit the veterinary clinic every 3-4 weeks. This is a great time to speak with your veterinarian about spaying or neutering your puppy, and what age that should occur at. It is important to know that your veterinarian will also check your puppy for parasites and prescribe the required treatment and preventions. 

Puppy Vaccination Schedule

Canine vaccines are split into core vaccines and non-core vaccines. Veterinarians typically give core vaccines to every dog, while a dog’s lifestyle and health determines if they receive non-core vaccines. Here’s what a typical puppy vaccine schedule looks like, but you should ask your veterinarian which vaccines they recommend for your puppy.¹

Core vaccinations

• 8 Weeks: DAP (distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus +/- parainfluenza)
• 10-12 Weeks: DAP (+/- parainfluenza), Rabies* (can be given at 12 weeks and older), Leptospirosis
• 14-16 Weeks: DAP (+/- parainfluenza), Leptospirosis

Non-core vaccinations

• 6-8 Weeks: Bordetella, parainfluenza (may be included in DAP combo vaccine)
• 10-12 Weeks: Lyme
• 14-16 Weeks: Lyme

*Rabies vaccines may be mandated by local law. Please consult your veterinarian for local mandates for rabies vaccines. 

Adult Dogs: Yearly Checkup

Dogs are considered adult once they are over one year of age, and veterinarians typically recommend an annual wellness exam. Here are some of the tests and exams you can expect:

• Routine checkups
• Vaccine boosters
• Vector-borne diseases test (including Heartworm and Lyme disease) depending on the area you live in and risk
• Oral exams (to assess dental and gingival health)
• Breed-specific tests or exams
• Other tests as needed based on your dog’s health history

Senior Dogs: Twice-a-Year Checkups

If your dog is 8 years or older, they’re considered a senior dog, and veterinarians may recommend a wellness exam every 6 months. Some breeds of dogs, especially large breed dogs, may be considered senior when they are younger than 8 years of age. These visits typically include an oral exam, which becomes especially important as your dog ages. This is also a great time to discuss any changes in your dog’s energy, mobility, appetite, etc. which may indicate need for further diagnostic tests or treatments. Senior dogs may undergo an annual blood screening to check the function of some of their internal organs such as the kidneys and liver. This proactive monitoring can help with early detection of illness. Be sure to talk to your veterinarian about your dog’s health history and bring up any concerns.