How often should your pet visit the vet? A guide by age and species

There’s a question we get asked almost every day at the clinic: “If my pet seems fine, do they really need to come in?”. The answer is yes. And in this article we explain why, and how often.

Why preventive check-ups matter more than you think

Most serious illnesses in dogs and cats — kidney, heart and tumour-related conditions — show no symptoms in their early stages. By the time the animal shows obvious signs, the disease has been progressing for weeks or months.

An annual check-up is not a formality. It’s the only way to detect those conditions before they become urgent or irreversible.

Recommended frequency by age

Puppies and kittens (0–12 months)

This is the stage with the most visits, and rightly so. In the first months of life, the vaccination schedule needs to be completed, a deworming routine established, and proper development confirmed.

Frequency: 3–4 visits during the first 6 months, approximately every 3–4 weeks until vaccinations are complete.

What we do at each visit:

Full physical examination
Vaccination according to schedule
Internal and external deworming
Weight and growth assessment
Microchip fitting (compulsory for dogs)
Socialisation and nutrition advice

Healthy adults (1–7 years)

This is the stage when many owners ease off on visits because their pet “seems fine”. It’s precisely here that prevention has the most value.

Frequency: at least 1 visit per year.

What the annual check-up includes:

Full head-to-tail examination
Dental check (one of the most neglected areas)
Booster vaccinations
Basic blood work if the vet considers it appropriate
Weight and body condition assessment
Health record update

Senior pets (over 7–8 years)

From the age of 7–8 years, dogs and cats enter the senior stage. The body changes, and the most common problems at this stage — chronic kidney disease, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism in cats, arthritis, tumours — are much better detected with more frequent check-ups.

Frequency: 2 visits per year.

What we add in senior check-ups:

Full blood and urine analysis
Blood pressure monitoring
Cardiac assessment
X-rays if there are signs of joint problems
Cognitive evaluation (especially in dogs)

Pets with chronic conditions

If your pet has diabetes, kidney disease, epilepsy or other chronic conditions, the frequency of visits is set by the vet on a case-by-case basis. In some diabetic patients, for example, check-ups can be monthly during the stabilisation phase.

Situations that require a visit regardless of age

Beyond routine check-ups, there are situations that should not wait:

Changes in appetite or water intake
Unexplained weight loss
Vomiting or diarrhoea lasting more than 24 hours
Lethargy or behavioural changes
Limping or difficulty moving
Persistent cough or breathing difficulties
Before and after travelling abroad

Dogs vs. cats: an important difference

Note on cats: felines are particularly good at hiding discomfort. A cat that "seems fine" may have been living with kidney disease or silent hyperthyroidism for some time. That's why in feline medicine we recommend not waiting for symptoms to appear: annual blood work from the age of 7 can make all the difference.

In summary

Stage	Dog	Cat
Puppy/kitten (0–12m)	3–4 visits	3–4 visits
Adult (1–7 years)	1 visit/year	1 visit/year
Senior (+7–8 years)	2 visits/year	2 visits/year
With chronic condition	As advised	As advised

Frequently asked questions

How often should a healthy adult dog or cat see the vet?

At least once a year, between one and seven years of age. This is the stage where owners most often relax their visits because the animal seems fine, and that is precisely why the check-up matters most: most serious diseases give no symptoms in their early phases.

At what age is my pet a senior, and how does that change check-up frequency?

From around 7–8 years of age dogs and cats enter their senior stage and the recommendation becomes two visits a year. Those check-ups add full blood and urine work, blood pressure monitoring, cardiac assessment and X-rays if there are signs of joint problems.

How many visits does a puppy or kitten need?

Three to four visits during the first 6 months, roughly every 3–4 weeks until the vaccination schedule is complete. Those visits cover the physical examination, vaccination, internal and external parasite treatment, weight and growth monitoring, and microchipping, which is compulsory for dogs.

Does an indoor cat that seems healthy really need to see the vet?

Yes. Cats are unusually good at hiding discomfort, and one that looks fine may have been living with kidney disease or silent hyperthyroidism for some time. In feline medicine we advise not waiting for symptoms: annual blood work from the age of seven can make the difference.

Which signs mean going to the vet without waiting for the annual check-up?

Changes in appetite or in how much water they drink, unexplained weight loss, vomiting or diarrhoea lasting more than 24 hours, lethargy or behavioural changes, lameness or difficulty moving, and a persistent cough or laboured breathing. A visit is also advisable before and after travelling abroad.

If you’re unsure about the right schedule for your pet, at Rovira Veterinary Clinic, in the Gràcia (Barcelona) neighbourhood, we help you design a personalised follow-up plan through our preventive medicine service. We have been caring for dogs, cats and their families in the neighbourhood for years.

If you also have questions about what type of diet is best for your pet, check out our guide on kibble, wet food and the BARF diet.

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Sources

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