How Often Should You Take Your Dog to a Vet?
Dogs are like family to all dog owners, and we all want to treat them as such when it comes to taking care of them. Taking your dog to the vet regularly is a great way to make this a reality and keep your dog healthy for years to come. Regular checkups allow monitoring for early diseases and overall health. Preventive care is always the best option when it comes to your pet, both for peace of mind and your wallet. Not all dogs need to see the vet at the same frequency. This is mostly decided by age so here is what we recommend:
Puppies (Less than 1 year old) Young puppies are in need of a lot of attention. There are a ton of vaccinations they should be getting to protect against common infectious diseases. This will be administered over about a 16-week period depending on the overall health of the puppy. Taking your puppy to the vet every month is a good idea while they are this young.
Adult dogs (1-7 years old) Once dogs are considered adults, the trip to the vet can be a little more sparse depending on your dog's health. The average healthy dog should see the vet once a year for an annual wellness visit to make sure your best friend is in tip top shape. It is still important to see the vet even at this age because preventive care is important.
Senior dogs (8+ years old) Most dogs are considered Senior dogs after 8 years. Older dogs are more likely to catch diseases or have complications so taking them to the vet every 6 months is recommended. If your dog has any health issues, it is important to consult your vet on how often you should visit.
Frequent trips to the vet are super important. Preventing diseases and complications is just as important, if not more important, than curing them! Come to Animal Medical Center and let us treat your furry friend like family!
Call us at Animal Medical Center; we are here to help answer any pet questions you might have. We serve pets in the Appleton, Menasha, Neenah, Grand Chute, and the surrounding areas. Call 920-749- 1717 or visit us at the Animal Medical Center of Appleton.
