How often should I take my dog to the vet? Advice from an expert

An integral part of being a pet owner is ensuring your furry friend is in good health. Just like humans, dogs should make trips to the doctor, and a visit to the veterinarian can be the right remedy for a sick pup. 

According to Dr. Jerry Klein, the chief veterinary officer at the American Kennel Club, these checkups should come sooner rather than later. "You should go to a vet, ideally, when your dog is not sick to prevent them from becoming ill," he says.

So how often should you take your dog to the vet? Here's some guidance from an expert.

How often should I take my dog to the vet?

Similar to other aspects of pet care, how often you should bring your dog to the veterinarian varies. Age, breed and underlying conditions can all contribute to the frequency of doctor's visits, Klein says.

If you have a puppy, you should bring them to the vet as soon as possible, he adds. Puppies should be examined within the first few weeks to check for health issues and begin receiving vaccines.

Visits should become a yearly occurrence as your dog gets older, Klein says.

"General wellness exams coincide with vaccines and oftentimes, veterinarians also perform heartworm checks and fecal examinations," he adds.

When a dog reaches old age, Klein recommends bringing them in every six months, particularly if they have underlying conditions.

It is important to note that dog breeds mature at different rates. So, if you have a "giant breed," like the St. Bernard and Dobermann, you should bring them to the veterinarian more frequently after they've reached 7 to 8 years old, Klein says. For smaller breeds, visits should increase once they've hit 8 to 9 years old, he adds.

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What vaccines do dogs need?

Regular vaccines help protect your dog from getting serious and deadly diseases. These vaccines are split into categories: core and non-core, or "lifestyle," vaccines, Klein explains.

Core vaccines combat diseases that are "deemed to be endemic in a pet population, that are of enough concern that they feel that all puppies and dogs should be currently vaccinated to prevent not just them from getting it, but then from passing or spreading it to other dogs," he says.

The "core vaccines" for dogs are:

• Distemper
• Parvovirus
• Adenovirus, also known as canine hepatitis
• Parainfluenza virus
• Rabies

The rabies vaccine is mandatory for all dogs, Klein adds. "It's not a choice," he says. "The rabies (vaccine) by law must be given."

Other vaccines are considered "lifestyle" vaccines and are administered at a pet owner's discretion. These will depend on your community and might be required if you board your dog in kennels or take them to doggy daycares or grooming facilities, Klein says.

What does the vet check during a physical examination?

Your dog's checkup is not too different from yours.

The vet will check how much your pet weighs, how they stand and walk and the condition of their coat, skin, ears and eyes, Klein says. They also will look at your dog's teeth and gums for tartar buildup, as well as checking the heart, lungs and lymph nodes for any irregularities, he adds. 

Vets will also examine the rectal area and anal sacks, Klein says. They may also ask for feces samples from your dog to check for intestinal parasites.

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What is the best age to spay or neuter a dog?

Recent studies, including one by the University of California, Davis, found that some dogs who were neutered or spayed before 1 year old had a higher risk of developing health issues, such as ligament tears or joint disorders and even certain types of cancer.

However, it is key to remember that dog breeds sexually mature at their own pace. "A chihuahua or toy breed may sexually mature as early as nine to 10 months of age, whereas a Great Dane or an Irish Wolfhound may not be sexually mature until perhaps 18 to 20 months of age," Klein explains.

As a result, there is no one-size-fits-all answer for when to spay or neuter your dog. It is important to consult with your veterinarian and breeder for input on your individual dog, Klein says.

Klein recommends not spaying or neutering your dog before six months.

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