How Often Should You Take Your Dog To The Vet?

Key takeaways

• Regular checkups at every life stage help detect illness before it becomes serious.
• Puppies require frequent vet visits for vaccines and growth monitoring.
• Adult dogs need at least one wellness exam each year.

• Senior dogs benefit from bi-annual exams to catch age-related conditions early.

How often should you take your dog to the vet? Dogs rely on their pet parents for everything, so it’s important to prioritize their annual wellness exams to ensure long-term health. 

These wellness visits are crucial for dogs because they allow vets to physically examine them and perform diagnostic tests to detect and treat underlying health problems as soon as possible. Taking your dog to the vet at least once a year is a crucial part of pet care to help prevent more serious conditions. 

Most pet parents take their dogs to the vet at least once per year, but it varies depending on a dog's health, age, and emergency needs. Unfortunately, many pet parents don't realize that puppies, adults, and seniors need different levels of care. Puppies and seniors typically need to visit the vet more often, but even adults may need more than one visit per year. This article will help you determine how often a pet should see a vet based on their life stage.

• Puppies
• Adult Dogs
• Senior Dogs
• Signs Of Illness
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Final Notes

How often should I take my puppy to the vet?

Puppies need more frequent vet care than adults because their immune systems are still developing. Regular visits during their first year ensure they receive essential vaccinations, parasite prevention, and early screenings for health issues. These appointments set the foundation for long-term health and growth.

Puppies 6 to 16 weeks old

Puppies need to visit the vet every three to four weeks until they are about four months old. Most first appointments happen at 8–10 weeks, when the vet creates a vaccination and care schedule.

Core vaccines during this stage include distemper and parvovirus, which begin at 6–8 weeks and repeat every few weeks until four months. Puppies also receive the DHPP vaccine, which protects against distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. Around 16 weeks, most vets administer the first rabies vaccine, which is required by law in many states.

Depending on your dog’s specific risk factors, your vet may recommend optional vaccines such as Bordetella, influenza, leptospirosis, Lyme, or coronavirus. During these visits, the vet may also run fecal, blood, or urine tests to check for parasites and early health concerns. Flea, tick, and heartworm preventives usually start at this stage to protect against serious diseases.

Puppies 6 months and older

At six months old, your puppy will also receive vaccine boosters. The DHPP series continues after the initial puppy shots, with boosters typically scheduled every one to two years. Rabies vaccinations require a second dose about a year after the first, followed by boosters every one to three years, depending on state law. These visits also allow your vet to review ongoing parasite prevention and address any changes in growth, diet, or behavior.

By this age, most puppies are also ready for spaying or neutering. Your vet will help you decide on the right timing based on breed, size, and overall health. This surgery not only prevents unwanted litters but also lowers the risk of certain cancers and behavioral issues.

How often should I take my adult dog to the vet?

Dogs are considered adults when they're one year old and can go to the vet less often. Typically, most vets like to see their dog patients at least once a year, but they may recommend twice per year, depending on your dog's overall health. During the annual wellness exam, vets will look for potential symptoms of underlying illnesses and diseases. 

Many adult dogs see their vets more often for the treatment of various health issues. However, healthy pets can get away with going to the vet once per year, when they’ll be examined and receive any yearly vaccinations or boosters, which may include: 

• Rabies
• Distemper
• Hepatitis
• Parvovirus

• Kennel cough

Some of these vaccinations may only be required every one to three years, so check with your vet to ensure you understand your dog's vaccination schedule and can comply with any local laws while protecting your pet from harm.

Your vet may also ask for a fecal sample to check for worms and parasites and perform a blood test for heartworms. Meanwhile, if they notice your pet experiencing any symptoms of illness based on clinical signs or your feedback, they may recommend additional tests, such as a urinalysis. 

Besides routine tests, your dog's physical exam will consist of an oral exam to look for signs of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, can cause serious pain and allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream, which increases the risk of other illnesses, such as heart disease. Your vet will look for signs of plaque and tartar buildup and may recommend professional dental cleaning or pulling infected teeth to prevent complications. 

It's important to note that you may need to see your vet more often, as dogs can develop problems before their next annual exam the following year. For example, you may notice your dog scratching more than usual, which may mean they need allergy treatment. They may also have accidents that cause injuries a vet must treat. 

The annual wellness exam is a great time for pet parents to ask questions about their dog's behavior and health, so feel free to write down a couple of questions or concerns to discuss with your vet. For example, if your dog has been experiencing anxiety and your vet rules out underlying health conditions, they may prescribe medication to ease symptoms and also recommend working with a behavioral trainer or veterinary behaviorist.

How often should I take my senior dog to the vet?

Senior dogs typically need more medical care than healthy adult dogs. Of course, when a dog reaches their golden years depends on their breed. For example, small dogs typically live longer than large breeds, so a small dog's senior years might start at age 12, while a large breed's senior years begin around age 7. 

When your dog becomes a senior, most vets recommend bi-annual wellness exams, so expect to take them to the vet at least twice yearly. Senior pets will have the same routine testing as adults and puppies. However, since they're more prone to various health issues, such as heart and kidney disease, vets may perform further testing, including urine and blood tests. 

During these vet visits, you should mention changes in your pet's behavior, activity levels, and overall health to help your vet determine which testing they should perform. With regular testing, your vet can detect potentially life-threatening diseases common in seniors. For example, if you mention your dog has recently lost weight and is drinking more water and urinating more frequently, your vet may test for diabetes. Only your vet can accurately determine if your dog has an underlying health condition and provide the right treatment. 

How often should I take my dog with health conditions to the vet?

Dogs with chronic health conditions usually need to visit the vet more often than healthy pets. The exact schedule depends on the illness and treatment plan, but many conditions require checkups every few months. 

For example, dogs with diabetes may need visits every 3 – 4 months for bloodwork and insulin adjustments, while dogs with kidney or heart disease often require exams and lab tests every 2 – 3 months.

Even conditions like arthritis, skin allergies, or anxiety can mean more frequent follow-ups to keep medication effective and symptoms controlled. Your vet will create a care schedule tailored to your dog’s specific needs, and sticking to that is the best way to manage long-term health.

How often should I take my pregnant dog to the vet?

Pregnant dogs need close monitoring throughout gestation to keep both the mother and puppies healthy. Most vets recommend an initial exam shortly after confirmation or suspicion of pregnancy. This visit allows your vet to confirm pregnancy, estimate due dates, and discuss nutrition and care needs.

Follow-up visits during the pregnancy track weight, check for complications, and prepare you and your pet for delivery. Around day 25 to 30 of gestation, your vet may use an ultrasound to confirm pregnancy and assess fetal health. Later in pregnancy, X-rays can help estimate litter size and identify potential delivery risks. Any signs of distress, such as loss of appetite, lethargy, or abnormal discharge, warrant an immediate vet visit.

Regular vet care during pregnancy ensures your dog receives the right nutrition, parasite prevention, and monitoring, giving both mother and puppies the best chance at a safe outcome.

Signs of illness: When your dog may need a non-preventative or emergency vet visit

While you should take your dog to annual or bi-annual wellness exams once they reach their adult and senior years, many dogs see their vets much more frequently. So how often should you bring your dog to the vet? That depends on whether they're healthy or experiencing signs of illness or disease. 

Here are a few potential symptoms that may indicate your dog needs to see their vet as soon as possible:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Coughing
• Lethargy
• Changes in urination frequency
• Changes in water consumption 

• Behavioral changes

In addition to illnesses, medical emergencies can happen at any point, and you shouldn't wait to take your dog to the vet if they're seriously injured or have ingested something they shouldn't. Signs of a serious medical emergency include the following:

• Broken bones
• Pain while walking
• Seizure
• Unconsciousness
• Collapse or difficulty breathing
• Bleeding from mouth, nose, or eyes
• Repeated vomiting
• Hard abdomen
• Toxin ingestion
• Disorientation
  

Types of vet visits and what to expect

Dogs need different types of vet visits depending on the situation. Some visits focus on prevention, others on sudden health problems, and some on follow-up care. Knowing the purpose of each helps you prepare.

• Annual checkups: Your vet examines your dog, gives vaccines, and runs routine tests such as fecal exams, urinalysis, or bloodwork. These visits detect health problems early and keep preventives like flea, tick, and heartworm protection up to date.
• Concern visits: You schedule these when you notice changes in your dog’s health, such as vomiting, coughing, or limping. The vet evaluates symptoms, runs tests if needed, and starts treatment.

• Vet tech or follow-up visits: A technician handles simple procedures like nail trims, vaccine boosters, or weight checks. Vets also use these visits to recheck dogs after illness and confirm treatment works.

The cost of a vet visit for dogs

A routine vet visit usually costs $50 to $250. That fee covers an exam and may include basic screenings like a fecal test, urinalysis, or bloodwork. Vaccines, parasite prevention, and extra tests add to the total.

Several factors may increase your costs. The type of visit matters most, With a quick wellness check costing less than imaging or specialized diagnostics. Location and the veterinary credentials also influence price, with coastal cities and specialists charging higher prices.

Emergency care is where costs climb fast. A true emergency, such as breathing problems, seizures, poisoning, or trauma, often runs $800 to $1,500 or more. These bills can spike further if your dog needs hospitalization, surgery, or advanced imaging. Pet insurance helps offset those expenses and gives you more treatment options in stressful moments.

Planning ahead makes these costs easier to manage. Budget for yearly exams, core vaccines, year-round flea, tick, and heartworm prevention, and set aside funds for surprise visits. Always ask for an itemized estimate and talk with your vet about generic medications when possible.

The cost of in-person vs. online vet visits

These costs are high, but not every veterinary need requires a trip to the clinic. While in-person care is essential for true emergencies, surgeries, and hands-on exams, everyday questions or routine issues don’t always need it. That is where online vet care saves time and money.

With Dutch, you can reach a licensed vet the same day, get unlimited video visits and follow-ups, and have prescriptions shipped straight to your door at low prices. The annual plan starts at $11 per month, billed yearly, and covers up to five pets.  That means routine care through Dutch costs far less than a single in-person vet visit, while also saving you the stress of loading your dog into the car.

For bigger costs, Dutch also offers an Annual + Insurance plan with $10,000 in accident coverage per year. That means if your dog eats something toxic or breaks a bone and needs in-person emergency care, you won’t have to handle the full bill on your own.

Think of it this way: With Dutch, you can get expert help for over 150 health concerns, ranging from allergies and skin issues to anxiety and behavioral questions. You can also manage prescriptions and follow-ups without leaving home and save in-person care for emergencies and diagnostic tests. This balance keeps your dog healthy and comfortable and makes care more affordable.

Talk to a Dutch vet today. 

Should I get pet insurance for my dog?

Pet insurance is essential for many pet parents and pets because it helps cover the cost of emergency care and accidents. If you've ever visited an emergency vet on a Sunday or late at night, you know just how expensive it can be to get your dog the care they need off-hours. 

The pet health insurance from Dutch provides up to $10,000 per year in accident coverage. That includes emergencies such as toxic ingestion, car accidents, animal bites, or fractures. Pairing insurance with routine online vet care gives you peace of mind that your dog can get both preventive and emergency treatment without overwhelming costs.

Talk to a Dutch vet today to explore coverage options and protect your dog’s health.

Make your dog’s vet visits easy with Dutch

Regular check-ups are crucial for dogs because they allow vets to detect and treat serious underlying illnesses as early as possible. During these visits, you can discuss any questions or concerns about your pet's behavior or health with your vet to improve their health at home. 

Still unsure how often you should take a dog to the vet? Ask a Dutch vet. Our licensed vets can provide you with everything from vaccination schedules to complete healthcare plans, diagnose and treat over 150 health problems, and prescribe medication online. 

Talk to a Dutch vet today and get convenient, affordable care for your dog from home.

How ofter should I take my dog to the vet FAQs

Do dogs need a yearly check-up?

Dogs need a yearly check-up, also known as an annual wellness exam, to check for signs of illness. Unfortunately, dogs are good at hiding pain and can't tell you how they feel. However, during an annual wellness exam, a vet will perform some testing, such as fecal and blood testing, as preventive measures to detect health issues as early as possible. 

Is it okay to not take your dog to the vet?

Skipping vet visits is never safe. Dogs hide pain and illness well, so problems often go unnoticed until they become severe. Regular checkups help you catch issues early, keep to your dog’s vaccine schedule, and keep preventable diseases under control. Avoiding the vet may save money short term, but it risks higher costs and serious health problems later.

Is online vet care a substitute for in-person vet visits?

Dutch online vet care is a great supplement for in-person vet care. Pet parents can call a vet from the comfort of their homes to have their pets diagnosed and treated for over 150 illnesses and diseases, ranging from allergies and ear infections to behavioral problems. Plus, you can have prescriptions delivered directly to your door with free standard shipping when you order from our pharmacy.

Telemedicine for pets can't replace some in-person services, such as surgeries, diagnostic testing, and emergency visits. It can, however, ensure your dog has access to quality care anytime, anywhere, and it gives you access to expert advice when you need it most. 

Join Dutch and talk to a vet today!

Final Notes 

Regular check-ups are crucial for dogs because they allow vets to detect and treat serious underlying illnesses as early as possible. During these visits, you can discuss any questions or concerns about your pet's behavior or health with your vet to improve their health at home. If you're unsure how often you should take your dog to the vet based on age, health, or breed, you can consult your vet for a personalized schedule for your pet's health. 

How often should you take a dog to the vet? Ask a Dutch vet. Our licensed vets can provide you with everything from vaccination schedules to complete healthcare plans, diagnose and treat a wide range of dog health problems, and prescribe medication online. Try Dutch today.