Although vaccinations are an important part of your dog’s overall care, visits to the veterinarian aren’t just about making sure your dog is up-to-date on his or her shots. Many other things, such as a physical exam, blood screening, dental care, and senior care may be necessary every year or even every 6 months.

When you go in for these visits, be sure to tell your veterinarian all about your dog’s behaviors, lifestyle, and environment so the veterinarian can provide care that is right for your dog’s unique needs.

Remember – even if your dog is getting vaccinated every 3 years, regularly scheduled appointments with your veterinarian are necessary to keep your dog healthy. Vaccination needs of adult dogs can change, and these needs should be assessed yearly based on the dog’s current age, health status, environment, lifestyle, and travel habits. Based on these factors, your dog also may require annual revaccination against such diseases as kennel cough, leptospirosis, Lyme disease, and/or coronavirus.

Dogs Age Faster Than People

Think about the fact that dogs live an entire lifetime in just 10 to 15 years. So in just 1 year, your dog goes through a lot more than just 1 year of living. This can help you understand the importance of regular care visits for all dogs, not just puppies and younger dogs.