How often should a dog see the vet?

Once a year for healthy adults and twice a year for seniors is the common guidance from VCA and the AVMA. Puppies and dogs with ongoing conditions are seen more often.

Which vaccines does my dog need every year?

It depends on the vaccine. VCA notes adult boosters run every one to three years; rabies intervals are set by law. Non-core vaccines such as Bordetella are often yearly for dogs who board or attend daycare.

What is the most common dog health problem?

Dental disease and excess weight are among the most common findings at routine exams in adult dogs. Both are manageable when caught early, which is why yearly exams and a weight log matter.

How do I keep track of my dog's health records?

Keep vaccine certificates, medication details, weights and visit notes in one place, with next-due dates. A pet health app like PetVitale does this per pet and reminds you before boosters or refills lapse.

Dog health

Dog health: the routine care every dog needs

Dogs do well on a simple, repeatable care routine: a yearly exam, core vaccines on schedule, parasite prevention, dental care and a watched weight. This guide lays out what that routine looks like, when it changes with age, and how to keep the record so nothing lapses.

By the PetVitale editorial team · Last reviewed 2026-10-19 · Sources listed below

The short answer

Healthy adult dogs typically need a wellness exam once a year; seniors twice a year (VCA).
Core dog vaccines per VCA: distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus (DA2PP), leptospirosis and rabies.
Dental disease, excess weight and lapsed preventives are the most common avoidable problems, and all three show up in a well-kept record.

The yearly dog care routine

Care item	Typical frequency	Why it matters
Wellness exam	Yearly; twice yearly for seniors	Catches weight, dental and organ changes early
Core vaccine boosters	Every 1 to 3 years, per vaccine and local law	Protection lapses silently when a booster is missed
Heartworm, flea and tick prevention	Monthly or per product label	Prevention is far cheaper than treatment
Dental check	At every exam; cleaning when recommended	Most adult dogs develop some dental disease
Weight check	Every visit; monthly at home for seniors	Gradual gain or loss is easy to miss day to day

Frequencies are typical guidance from the sources below. Your veterinarian sets the schedule for your dog based on age, breed, lifestyle and health.

Core and non-core dog vaccines

VCA Animal Hospitals lists the core vaccines for dogs as distemper, adenovirus and parvovirus (combined, often with parainfluenza, as DA2PP), leptospirosis and rabies. Non-core vaccines such as Bordetella, canine influenza and Lyme are recommended based on exposure: boarding, daycare, dog parks and tick areas. Adult boosters follow every one to three years depending on the vaccine and local rabies law.

Weight, diet and exercise

Weight is the single most useful number to track at home, because gain and loss are both early signs of something else. Weigh your dog on the same scale at the same time of month, write it down, and bring the trend to the exam. A dog whose ribs you can feel but not see is the usual target; your vet can score body condition and set a goal.

Signs that need a vet visit

Appetite or thirst that changes for more than a day or two.
Vomiting or diarrhoea that repeats, or any blood.
Lameness, stiffness after rest, or reluctance to climb stairs.
Bad breath, drooling, or dropping food, which often point to dental pain.
Lumps that are new, growing or changing.
Coughing, laboured breathing or collapse, which are emergencies.

This is not a diagnostic list. If something seems wrong, call your veterinarian; if your dog is struggling to breathe, has collapsed or may have eaten something toxic, go to an emergency clinic now.

What to keep in your dog's health record

Vaccines: name, date given, next due date and the certificate.
Medications and preventives: product, dose, start date and refill date.
Weight at every visit, so a trend is visible before it becomes a problem.
Visit notes and invoices, including which clinic and which vet.
Lab results and imaging reports, even normal ones; they are the baseline the next result is compared against.
Allergies, reactions and anything a new clinic or sitter should know on day one.

Questions pet parents ask

Sources

Vaccines for dogs — VCA Animal Hospitals
Senior dog care — VCA Animal Hospitals
Pet dental care — American Veterinary Medical Association
Vaccinations — American Veterinary Medical Association

Pet age calculatorYour dog's age in human years by size, and when they count as senior.Vaccination checklist Dog health app Vet costs

This guide is general information, not veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment. Prices are published estimates that vary by clinic, region and your pet's needs — ask your veterinarian for a written estimate. PetVitale organizes your pet's records and reminders; it does not replace your vet.