Routine veterinary visits ensure your pet is current on preventive care and allow the veterinarian to detect health problems early. How often your pet should go to the vet depends on the pet’s age, health, and individual needs.
Here, we’ll cover general guidelines for how often your pet should go to the vet, but when in doubt, always follow your veterinarian’s recommendation.
Q1: How Often Should Healthy Adult Pets See the Vet?
If you’re asking, “How often should dogs go to the vet?” or “How often should cats go to the vet?” you’ll find that general recommendations are the same for both species. Healthy adult dogs and cats should have a wellness exam at least once a year, with healthy senior pets often seeing the vet twice annually.
During your pet’s routine wellness visits, your veterinarian will usually complete the following:
- Nose-to-tail physical examination, including a dental health assessment
- Vaccination review and updates
- Parasite prevention check-in and recommendations
- Weight and nutrition evaluation
- Discussion of behavior and any other concerns you have
- Wellness diagnostics, such as annual bloodwork or a heartworm test
Your veterinarian may recommend more frequent visits depending on your pet’s age, lifestyle, and health conditions.
Q2: How Often Should Puppies and Kittens See the Vet?
Puppies and kittens need more frequent visits during their first year of life. Generally, puppies and kittens will see the veterinarian every 3 to 4 weeks until they’re around 4 months. During these visits, the veterinarian will complete their initial wellness examination of your new pet, administer puppy or kitten vaccines, perform parasite testing and deworming as needed, and offer microchipping for your pet. The veterinarian will also work with you during puppyhood or kittenhood to determine when the best time to spay or neuter your pet is.
Some veterinarians will also want to see your pet when they’re 6 months old before switching to annual visits at 1 year of age. Throughout this first year, the veterinarian is monitoring your pet’s growth and development. They can also offer advice on certain behavioral concerns, like potty training or crate training.
Your veterinarian’s specific recommendations for vaccination, deworming, and spay/neuter will vary depending on our pet’s breed, age at adoption, individual risks, and history.
Q3: How Often Should Senior Pets See the Vet?
Veterinarians usually recommend that healthy senior pets see the veterinarian for routine wellness examinations every 6 months. The age at which your veterinarian considers your pet a senior will vary by species, breed, and size. Older pets with health concerns may need to see the veterinarian more often.
More frequent veterinary visits are recommended as pets age because the likelihood of developing health problems increases. Earlier detection of health conditions allows for earlier intervention, which usually translates to better outcomes for your pet. Because of this, bloodwork and other screening tests may also be recommended more frequently.
Q4: When Should I Take My Pet to the Vet More Often?
Pets with chronic medical conditions, new symptoms, or who take medications regularly may need additional appointments beyond the recommended one to two annual wellness appointments.
Examples of signs that indicate your pet should probably see the veterinarian include:
- Changes in appetite, thirst, urination, or defecation
- Weight loss or gain
- Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
- Coughing, breathing problems, or exercise intolerance
- Mobility issues or changes to your pet’s gait
- New lumps or changes to your pet’s skin
- Changes in behavior or energy level
Any sudden or severe symptoms should prompt an urgent veterinary visit rather than waiting for a routine wellness check-in. If you’re concerned for your pet’s health, call to speak with a veterinary professional or make an appointment rather than taking a wait-and-see approach.
Follow Your Vet’s Schedule
Healthy adult pets will generally see the veterinarian at least once a year for routine wellness exams before moving to twice annually as they become seniors. Puppies and kittens will have more frequent veterinary visits during the first year of life, especially leading up to 4 months of age.
If your pet has health problems, you can expect more than the usual annual vet checkups for pets. Your pet’s veterinarian will individualize their recommendations, including how often they want to see your pet for checkups. When in doubt, follow the schedule planned by your pet’s veterinarian.
