Routine wellness visits are one of the best ways to keep pets healthy—and to catch small issues before they become expensive emergencies.
Here’s a straightforward guide to how often dogs and cats should see the vet.
➡️ Wellness care: https://poplarviewpethospital.com/services/wellness-care/
➡️ Request appointment: https://poplarviewpethospital.com/request-appointment/
Puppies and kittens: more frequent visits
Young pets need a series of visits for:
- Vaccine series and boosters
- Parasite prevention and fecal tests
- Growth and nutrition checks
- Behavior guidance
Typical: every 3–4 weeks until the vaccine series is complete.
Adult pets: annual wellness exams
For most healthy adult dogs and cats, yearly wellness exams are ideal. This helps with:
- Preventive screenings
- Weight management
- Early dental disease detection
- Vaccine planning
- Parasite prevention adjustments
Senior pets: twice-yearly checks
As pets age, issues can develop quickly. Many senior pets benefit from every 6 months, often with routine lab work. Early detection is everything.
When to come in sooner
Schedule a visit if you notice:
- Appetite or water intake changes
- Weight loss/gain
- Coughing, vomiting, diarrhea
- Limping or reduced activity
- Itching, ear problems, skin changes
- Bad breath or drooling
➡️ General medicine: https://poplarviewpethospital.com/services/general-medicine/
What’s included in a wellness exam?
A wellness visit typically includes:
- Nose-to-tail physical exam
- Weight and body condition scoring
- Heart/lung assessment
- Skin/coat/ears evaluation
- Vaccine and prevention review
- Recommended screening tests based on age and lifestyle
Ready to schedule?
➡️ Wellness care: https://poplarviewpethospital.com/services/wellness-care/
➡️ Request appointment: https://poplarviewpethospital.com/request-appointment/
