Taking care of your dog is a lot of work, but your vet can help. According to Rover, your dog should visit the vet for a checkup at least once a year. If you want to take care of your dog, learn more about why yearly dog checkups are so important.

Preventative Care

When you take your dog to the vet, they'll do some of the basic things that help prevent medical problems. Your vet may brush your dog's teeth, clean their ears, and do other little things that help keep your dog healthy year after year. Of course, you should be brushing your dog's teeth and cleaning their ears at home as well.

Managing Weight

Just like humans, dogs need to stay at the right weight to stay healthy. Yearly dog checkups give your vet a chance to weigh your dog to see if they're gaining weight too quickly. If your dog is gaining too much weight, your vet may recommend dietary changes.

Maintaining Proper Nutrition

Speaking of your dog's diet, yearly checkups can also help your vet make sure your dog is getting proper nutrition. If your dog is showing signs of a potential problem, your vet may recommend trying a specialty dog food or eliminating certain foods.

Checking for Problems

Vets have seen a wide range of medical conditions in dogs, so they know what to look for. Taking your dog to the vet is a great way to make sure they don't have any problems you haven't noticed. Catching those problems early on can help you minimize their impact.

Milestone Care

Yearly dog checkups are also important because your dog's health and medical needs change as they get older. Your dog needs to get certain vaccinations every few years, and they may need to switch to different types of food or integrate supplements depending on their breed. Visiting your vet yearly helps you keep your dog healthy at each milestone.

If you want to keep your dog healthy, yearly visits to the vet are a key piece of the puzzle. Dogs' needs change as they age, and vet visits help you keep an eye out for serious problems. If your dog hasn't been to the vet in a while, schedule a yearly dog checkup with Perrysburg Animal Hospital today.