How often should I take my dog to the vet?

If you've got a sick dog, your first thought is to call your vet for advice. You'll probably need to take a trip to the practice for them to be seen, and it's greatly reassuring when they've had the once-over and the best care to aid their quick recovery.

But how about when your pet is well? As a responsible owner, how can you best look after your dog? How often does a healthy dog need to be seen by the vets?

The truth is, there are many reasons to take your pet to the vet, some of which might surprise you. So, how often is a routine vet check recommended for your dog?

Is an annual check-up for dogs enough?

Annual vet visits for vaccinations are common, but giving your dog the vaccine is just a tiny part of the consultation. This check-up is an opportunity for your vet to perform a full nose-to-tail physical exam, making sure your pet is healthy.

These visits also allow you to discuss any worries that you might have about your pet. Perhaps your dog has a little wart on their nose, or they are getting an upset stomach when they eat certain foods? This is the perfect opportunity to talk to your vet and get tailored, reliable advice, or just to put your mind at rest.

Other preventative treatments, such as worming and some flea medication, may also sometimes rely on annual checks, as your vet must be able to check that the medication is suitable for them.

If your dog receives prescription medications, more frequent visits are generally required to make sure they are well-managed and happy.

Signs that your pet needs to see a vet sooner may be subtle, but as their owner, you’re the best person to recognise them. These can range from increased drinking, changes to toileting habits, weight loss, slowing down or signs of pain or discomfort. In fact, any change in your dog’s behaviour may indicate stress or pain as well as other issues such as hormonal conditions or neurological (brain) disease. [LINK to behaviour change blog].

Common causes of discomfort include: 

• Arthritis (joint inflammation) 
• Ear disease 
• Skin disease
• Dental disease 
• Digestive issues 

If you notice any changes in your dog (either physical or behavioural), even if they seem minor, this may indicate that your pet needs to see a vet. Try and take a video of your dog displaying these signs at home if you can, as it’s not unusual for dogs to act differently at the vet. Fortunately, even a phone camera video can really help your vet understand your concerns.

Would a 6-monthly check be better?

Many vet practices offer a 6-monthly health check as part of their healthcare scheme.

During your visit, your vet can also advise you on all canine matters, including dentistry, behaviour, mental well-being and preventative treatments and procedures.

What does a vet check involve?

Firstly, your vet will ask you if you have any concerns about your dog. This is an excellent chance for you to ask questions, so make sure you write your concerns down so that you don’t forget.

If your dog is nervous or requires a muzzle, let your vet know before the examination part of the appointment starts. Don't forget that many dogs are anxious at the vet surgery. While they may never intend to hurt a person, even the sweetest dog can snap if they are frightened or in pain. 

Every vet carries out their examination differently, but standard health checks for dogs cover the same key areas: 

Why are these visits important?

In a study of 100 older dogs given a routine health screen, an astonishing number had hidden health conditions that their owners were unaware of¹.

Your vet may discuss ways to keep your dog healthy, such as teeth brushing to help prevent future dental extractions and disease. Lumps that are worrying may be possible to sample during the consultation, and your vet may recommend other screening tests, such as blood or urine samples, which are essential to diagnose long-term conditions such as hypothyroidism or diabetes.

How can I make trips to the vet more positive?

Research shows that over 75% of dogs show fearful behaviour at the vet², so you may be wondering if your dog could feel the same and how you can improve this experience for them.

Future appointments will likely be far less stressful if your dog knows the practice and the staff. While you wait for the vet, it's the perfect time for the veterinary team to offer your dog something tasty and to fuss them. Take in your dog's favourite treats and toys, and make the visit fun. Use a blanket from home for your dog to sit on in the consultation room. Maybe even couple the vet visit with a walk somewhere they love afterwards.

Or they might recommend you seek further help from a qualified clinical animal behaviourist3.

As you can see, there’s plenty you can do to help your dog feel more relaxed at the vets, so don’t hesitate to reach out to your local vet practice for help if you’re not sure how to proceed.

Other benefits of regular health checks for dogs

If you and your dog build a trusting relationship with your vet, it will be a huge help as your dog gets older or if they become unwell. Not only will your dog be more accepting of your vet's help, but they may even come to like visiting the practice. This is often true of those that have frequently visited as young, healthy dogs, or attended puppy classes with the practice nurses.

Don't forget, the nursing team can be a fantastic source of advice on all matters, from fireworks fears to obesity. Nurses can be incredibly supportive through difficult times too, such as caring for senior pets. They can also flag to a vet if a significant issue needs further treatment or investigation.

So, how often does MY dog need to go to the vets?

If you put in the groundwork early, regular check-ups mean that some illnesses can be caught early or avoided entirely. This may lead to your dog leading a longer, happier and healthier life. And in those circumstances where your pet is ill or rushed to the vet in an emergency, the experience will be far less stressful for everyone. After all, your vet team probably have dogs of their own. They understand how worrying a trip to the vet can be and how important your dog is to you.

Do you know when your dog’s next check-up is? If you haven’t booked it yet or if you have any questions regarding your pet’s health, talk to your vets today.

^{1 Willems, A., Paepe, D., Marynissen, S., Smets, P., Van de Maele, I., Picavet, P., Duchateau, L., Daminet, S.: (2017). „Results of Screening of Apparently Healthy Senior and Geriatric Dogs.“, Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 31(1), 81-92.  
2 Riemer, S., Heritier, C., Windschnurer, I., Pratsch, L., Arhant, C., Affenzeller, N.: (2021). „A Review on Mitigating Fear and Aggression in Dogs and Cats in a Veterinary Setting.“, Animals 11(1), 158 
3 Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians}