How often should I take my pet to the vet?

The importance of veterinary visits for your pet

Just like us, our pets need regular check-ups for optimal health. From physical exams, blood work, and parasite screenings, to vaccinations and dental cleanings, your veterinarian provides many important services to keep your pet happy and healthy.

There are several factors that will determine how often your pet needs to go to the vet including their age, breed, and medical history. Puppies and kittens will need to go more often than their adult counterparts, and once pets reach senior age, their veterinary visits will also increase.

Pets with certain chronic conditions like diabetes or a history of cancer, will also need more vet check-ups throughout their life. If your pet is a breed that is commonly predisposed to hereditary conditions, your vet may also recommend more frequent check-ups or health screenings to protect them. Early screening and prevention are key!

While these are some basic guidelines on how often your pet needs a check-up, you should always consult your veterinarian on your pet’s individual needs.

Different types of veterinarians

With advances in veterinary medicine and pet ownership growing rapidly, there are more options than ever before for your pet’s care. There are three main types of veterinarians you may encounter during your pet’s lifetime, a general practice veterinarian, a specialty veterinarian, and an emergency veterinarian.

General practice veterinarian

A general practice veterinarian, also sometimes called a primary care veterinarian, is the veterinary equivalent to a human primary care doctor, or your family doctor. They typically work in a clinic providing preventative care and general medical treatments. This includes things like annual exams, administering vaccines, dental cleanings, and treating conditions like ear infections, gastrointestinal upset, sprains, and more. They also perform general surgeries like spays, neuters, and growth removals.

Specialty veterinarian

Specialty veterinarians are experts in their respective fields that have undergone additional training and certifications. There are many different types of veterinary specialists including oncologists, cardiologists, neurologists, and more. They typically work in larger animal hospitals with more advanced capabilities such as MRI and CT. General practice veterinarians will refer their patients to specialty veterinarians if something complex comes up such as an abnormal heart rhythm that requires a cardiologist or a suspected cancerous mass that needs an oncologist.

Emergency veterinarian

Emergency veterinarians, like specialists, have usually undergone additional training for treating and stabilizing urgent conditions. They typically work in emergency veterinary hospitals or pet ERs. Pet owners will often seek out a pet ER if their pet has had an accident or come down with a sudden illness.

Both general practice and specialty veterinarians may also refer your pet to an ER if critical care and 24/7 monitoring are needed. Many emergency hospitals have the veterinary equivalent of an ICU, complete with advanced monitoring, oxygen, and lifesaving equipment.

All pet owners should be prepared in case of an emergency. It’s helpful to already have a local pet ER mapped out and keep their information handy to save time. Keeping the number to Pet Poison Control in your phone is also a good idea. Lastly, emergencies can be emotionally and financially draining, be prepared for the unexpected with a pet insurance plan so you can focus on your pet’s recovery without worrying about finances.

How often dogs should go to the vet

There are many factors that can determine how often a dog needs to go to the vet but for most healthy, adult dogs, it’s once a year. The annual exam is usually comprised of a physical exam, dental check-up, blood work, parasite screening, and updating any vaccines or parasite preventatives.

Outside of their yearly visit, anytime your otherwise healthy adult dog shows any signs of illness or injury, a veterinary appointment should be made.

If your canine companion is a puppy or a senior, has a health condition, or is pregnant, your veterinarian will evaluate their needs and set an appropriate schedule.

Puppy visits

Similar to how an infant will have many pediatric check-ups, a puppy’s first year of life will have many vet visits. This is to ensure they are meeting all the right milestones, getting proper nutrition, and receiving their full series of vaccines and deworming treatments.

The bulk of your puppy’s first vaccines will be given between 6 and 18 weeks. After that, boosters will occur yearly or every three years. Their vaccination schedule can vary slightly based on their age and location, but most pups will receive a minimum of Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, and Rabies vaccines.

Additional vaccines such as Bordetella, Leptospirosis, Lyme disease, and Canine Flu may be recommended based on your puppy’s lifestyle, location, and local ordinances. The vaccine calculator from the American Animal Hospital Association can be a helpful planning tool for pet owners.

Senior visits

As dogs age, they become more susceptible to developing some health problems. Therefore, most veterinarians recommend senior dogs get twice-a-year check-ups. That number may increase if your senior dog is already showing signs of age-related health conditions like arthritis or diabetes.

Dogs are typically considered seniors between the ages of 7 and 10. Size and breed can plan an important role in when your dog is considered a senior, with most smaller dogs having longer expected lifespans. A Great Dane is often considered a senior by age 7 whereas a Chihuahua reaches senior status closer to age 10.

Emergency visits

Anytime your dog shows signs of an emergency like a sudden severe illness or accident, they should be taken to the emergency vet right away.

Common emergencies in dogs:

How often cats should go to the vet

There are many factors that can determine how often a cat needs to go to the vet but for most healthy, adult cats, it’s once a year. The annual visit is usually comprised of a physical exam, dental check-up, blood work, parasite screening, and updating any vaccines or parasite preventatives.

Outside of their yearly visit, anytime your otherwise healthy adult cat shows any signs of illness or injury, a veterinary appointment should be made.

If your feline friend is a kitten or a senior, has a health condition, or is pregnant, your veterinarian will evaluate their needs and set an appropriate schedule.

Kitten visits

Just like puppies, a kitten’s first year of life will include many veterinary visits to ensure they are healthy and on track with their milestones and vaccinations. Most of your kitten’s vaccines will be given between 6 and 20 weeks of age, followed by yearly boosters.

Their vaccination schedule can vary slightly based on their age and location but at a minimum, most kittens will receive Rabies and FVRCP (rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia) vaccines.

Other vaccines such as Feline Leukemia may also be recommended. The vaccine calculator from the American Animal Hospital Association can be a helpful planning tool for pet owners.

Senior visits

As cats age, they become more susceptible to developing certain health problems. Therefore, most veterinarians recommend senior cats get twice-a-year check-ups. That number may increase if your senior cat is already showing signs of age-related health conditions like arthritis or diabetes.

Cats are typically considered seniors between the ages of 10 and 12. Size and breed can play a role in when your cat is considered a senior but not as much as is typically seen in dogs. Overall, cat breeds don’t tend to fluctuate too much in size and lifespan.

Emergency visits

Anytime your cat shows signs of an emergency like a sudden severe illness or accident, they should be taken to the emergency vet right away.

Common emergencies in cats:

Ensuring your pet’s health

Keeping your pet on schedule with their veterinary care is one of the best things you can do to ensure their health and well-being! Outside of the veterinary clinic, you can have 24/7 access to veterinary telehealth services to answer questions via phone, email, or live chat with a 24Petwatch Lifetime Protection Membership.