What your dog needs and when, plus a simple yearly calendar you can put on the fridge.
Preventive care is cheap, quick and dull, which is exactly why it gets forgotten. A calendar solves most of it.
Core vaccinations
Puppies receive a course, usually starting between six and eight weeks with follow-ups a few weeks apart. Full protection is not immediate, so avoid public spaces until your vet confirms they are covered.
Adults need boosters, typically annually or every three years depending on the vaccine. Keep the record card safe. Boarding kennels and groomers will ask for it.
Parasites
- Worming: every three months for most adults, monthly for puppies.
- Fleas and ticks: monthly through the warm months, year-round in many areas.
- Check for ticks after countryside walks, particularly around the ears and between toes.
Dental care
Dental disease is the most common health issue in adult dogs and one of the most neglected. Brush a few times a week if you can. Bad breath is not normal, it is usually a symptom.
A simple yearly calendar
- Every month: flea and tick treatment, weight check.
- Every three months: worming, nail check.
- Every six months: a proper look at teeth and ears.
- Every year: vet health check and boosters.
When to call the vet sooner
Sudden lethargy, refusing food for more than a day, repeated vomiting, difficulty breathing, or a swollen, hard abdomen. Trust your instinct: you know your dog.