As dog owners, we all want to do right by our beloved pets. In actuality, dogs are more than just typical pets for a lot of people. About 36.5% of American households have a dog, and they’re often considered members of the family. For some, they’re equivalent to children. No matter how you view your dog, you no doubt love them very much — but that doesn’t mean you know everything about their medical care. It’s one thing to know the ins and outs of feeding and walking your dog, and another entirely to know how to find a veterinarian you can trust, or even how much you really need to take your dog to the vet. The fact is that veterinary care is quite different from human medical care, not just in the obvious ways — but in how it’s handled as a business. While we have insurance that covers much of our medical costs, often provided through work, pets are a different story. You don’t have to have pet insurance for your dog, which means that many dog owners end up paying out of pocket for their vet bills.
When weighing whether or not pet insurance is worth it — or simply factoring regular vet checkups into your budget — you may wonder if you really need to take your dog to the vet as much as you are. Some vets, to be sure, may factor unnecessary procedures of products into your dog’s checkup, leading to a higher bill than what you may have initially expected. Below, we’re looking into how often you should take a typical dog to the vet, and what elements can affect their need to have a checkup more or less often.
How Often Should The Average Dog See The Vet?
The average dog will see the vet more often as a puppy, with the visits slowly becoming less frequent, while remaining regular. It’s similar to the way you would look at human checkups — just as 93% of human children have seen the doctor in the past year, most puppies have seen the vet fairly recently as well. Most vets will recommend that your dog have an annual checkup, during which they’ll receive their routine exam. These exams may seem irrelevant if your dog seems physically fine. But keep in mind that your dog can’t tell you if their foot hurts or they have an upset stomach. Subtle symptoms may be missed by even the most attentive of dog owners and caught by a vet’s trained eye. Of course, as is the case with many diseases — no matter the species of the sufferer — you will likely have the strongest chance of a positive outcome if your dog’s illness is caught early. Furthermore, depending on where you live your dog will likely require regular vaccines as well, and these regular checkups are the perfect time to expediently take care of such obligations. Your vet can provide you with the necessary documentation at the time of the appointment, to ensure that your dog remains properly licensed in your area.
Why Would My Dog Need To See The Vet More Frequently?
Some vets simply prefer to see their patients more often. It’s not uncommon for a vet to advise two checkups a year for a healthy dog rather than one. As the dog’s owner, it’s at your discretion to decide whether or not to follow this advice, or to seek a new vet altogether. However, as your dog ages, it will likely need to see the vet more often, simply because it is more at risk for developing certain diseases. Issues like weakening bones or poor eyesight can also make your aging dog more susceptible to injury — and the typical wear and tear of living affects a dog just as it does a human.
Some dogs also suffer from chronic health problems from an early age. Although these special needs pets are not right for every dog owner, they deserve love and attention just as a fully healthy dog does. Additionally, chronic conditions can vary in severity. Some dogs suffer from allergies. The types of dirt and allergens that build up in carpets alongside stains and odors can cause skin reactions in allergic dogs. Even if you have your carpets professionally cleaned once a year as is advised, you’ll still want your dog to see a vet regularly if they suffer from this sort of condition. Before committing to owning a dog with special needs, discuss the dog’s condition with a vet. Realistically consider whether or not all the responsibility of owning a special needs pet — including more frequent vet visits — is doable for you.
Can I Treat My Dog At Home?
Some dog owners attempt to avoid vet bills by treating their dogs at home. This is extremely risky behavior and could cause your dog to become sick — or worse. Many medications that work well for human beings are not good for dogs. This extends to natural treatments, like CBD. While 62% of CBD users report using it to treat a medical condition, like pain, anxiety, and depression — those users were all human. If you find yourself unable to afford regular or emergency vet visits, consider opening a credit card specifically meant for vet bills. If possible, you may want to purchase pet insurance as well, as it’s often worth it in the long term.
We all want to own a dog — but you must make sure that you’re ready for all the commitments that come with being a dog owner first. If you are, prepare for the unbreakable bond between dog and owner.
[…] Vet care can be a big expense, which is why you may want to look into purchasing pet insurance. Most pet insurance policies are fairly affordable, and having insurance can make these kinds of costs a lot easier to manage.� […]