Dog Preventive Care Guide – Vaccinations, Checkups, and Parasite Prevention

Last Updated: January 27, 2026     Published: January 27, 2026

Dog preventive care is the smartest thing you can do for your pet’s health. I learned this the expensive way when my Golden Retriever, Max, got sick with something that could have been prevented. One skipped dog vet checkup led to a $2,000 emergency bill. Understanding dog vaccinations and regular care saves money, prevents suffering, and keeps your dog healthy longer.

The $2,000 Lesson I’ll Never Forget

I thought Max was fine. He seemed healthy, so I skipped his annual checkup. “I’ll save the money,” I told myself.

Six months later, Max got sick. He stopped eating. The emergency vet found heartworm disease. The treatment cost over $2,000. Max had to stay quiet for months.

All of this could have been prevented with a $50 test and a $15 monthly pill.

That’s when I became serious about dog wellness care. Prevention costs way less than treatment.

Why Preventive Care Matters

 

Long-Term Cost Savings

Real Numbers:

• Annual checkup: $150
• Yearly vaccines: $100-150
• Monthly parasite prevention: $180/year
• Total yearly: About $450-500

Compare that to:

• Max’s heartworm treatment: $2,000
• Parvovirus treatment: $1,500
• Dental disease: $800

Prevention costs a fraction of treatment.

Early Disease Detection

Vet checkups catch problems early when they’re easier to fix.

What Vets Found in Max:

• Early kidney changes at age 11
• Small skin tumour at age 9
• Dental disease starting
• Slight heart murmur

All caught during routine checkups before Max had symptoms.

Important: Dogs hide pain really well. By the time you notice something’s wrong, the problem is often advanced.

Quality of Life and Lifespan

Dog preventive care keeps dogs comfortable. Dogs who get regular dog wellness care live 2-3 years longer on average.

Max is 12 now and thriving. His vet says he’s in remarkable shape. That didn’t happen by accident.

Essential Dog Vaccinations

Dog vaccinations protect against deadly diseases. Some are required by law.

Core Vaccines (All Dogs Need)

Vaccine	Protects Against	Schedule
Rabies	Rabies virus (always fatal)	First at 12-16 weeks, booster at 1 year, then every 1-3 years
DHPP	Distemper, hepatitis, parvo, parainfluenza	Puppy series: 6, 9, 12, 16 weeks. Adult boosters: Every 1-3 years
Parvovirus	Deadly virus	Included in the DHPP series

Why These Matter

• Rabies is required by law and can spread to humans
• DHPP prevents four deadly diseases
• Parvovirus kills puppies quickly

I’ve seen puppies die from parvo. It’s awful. Vaccines prevent this.

Non-Core Vaccines (Based on Lifestyle)

Bordetella (Kennel Cough)

• Who needs it: Dogs going to daycare, boarding, groomers, and dog parks
• How often: Every 6-12 months
• Max gets this yearly because he goes to daycare

Lyme Disease

• Who needs it: Dogs in tick-heavy areas
• How often: Yearly
• Max gets this because we hike

Leptospirosis

• Who needs it: Dogs exposed to wildlife, standing water
• How often: Yearly
• Max gets this because he swims in lakes

Canine Influenza

• Who needs it: Dogs in boarding or outbreak areas
• Max doesn’t get this (no outbreaks here)

Talk to your vet about which vaccines your dog needs.

Parasite Prevention

Dog parasite prevention is year-round. Parasites cause serious health problems. (see our dog’s health problem)

Internal Parasites

Heartworm:

• Transmitted by mosquitoes
• Lives in the heart and lungs
• Causes heart failure and death
• Prevention: Monthly pill or chewable
• Testing: Yearly blood test

Max takes a monthly chewable. After his scare, I never miss a dose.

Cost: $15-25 per month (treatment costs $2,000+)

Intestinal Worms

• Types: Roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms
• Prevention: Monthly medication
• Puppies: Deworm every 2-3 weeks until 12 weeks
• Adults: Fecal test yearly

I use a combination pill that prevents heartworms and intestinal worms.

External Parasites

Fleas

• Cause itching, allergies, tapeworms
• Prevention: Monthly topical, oral, or collar
• Year-round needed

Max had fleas once. He scratched until he bled. Never again.

Ticks

• Spread Lyme disease and other illnesses
• Prevention: Monthly medication
• Check after walking in the woods or grass

I check Max for ticks after every hike.

My Monthly Prevention

• Combination pill: Heartworm + worms ($20)
• Flea and tick topical ($15)
• Total: $35/month

Cheaper than one infection treatment.

Regular Veterinary Checkups

Dog vet checkups catch problems before emergencies.

By Life Stage

Puppies (0-1 year): Every 3-4 weeks

• Vaccines
• Deworming
• Growth checks

Adults (1-7 years): Once yearly

• Physical exam
• Weight check
• Dental check
• Vaccines as needed
• Heartworm test
• Fecal test

Seniors (7+ years): Twice yearly

• Everything from an annual exam
• Blood work
• Urinalysis
• Organ function checks

Max started senior checkups at age 10. His vet caught early kidney changes. We adjusted his diet, and he’s stable now.

What Happens During a Checkup

Standard Exam

1. Weight check
2. Listen to the heart and lungs
3. Feel abdomen
4. Check teeth and gums
5. Look in the ears
6. Examine eyes
7. Feel the lymph nodes
8. Check skin and coat
9. Feel joints
10. Discuss concerns

Takes about 15-20 minutes.

Dental Care

Dog dental care prevents painful disease.

Daily Tooth Brushing

I brush Max’s teeth 3-4 times weekly.

How

• Use dog toothpaste (human is toxic)
• Use a finger brush or a dog toothbrush
• Lift lips gently
• Brush in small circles
• Takes 2 minutes

Dental Chews and Professional Cleanings

What Works

• VOHC-approved dental chews
• Rubber dental toys
• Raw carrots

Professional Cleanings

• Done under anesthesia
• Removes plaque and tartar
• Max gets cleaned every 3 years
• Cost: $300-800

Signs of Dental Disease

Watch for:

• Bad breath
• Yellow or brown teeth
• Red, swollen gums
• Difficulty eating
• Pawing at mouth

Dental disease affects the heart, liver, and kidneys.

Grooming as Preventive Care

Regular grooming helps find problems early.

Regular Maintenance

Nail Trims

• Every 2-3 weeks
• Long nails cause joint pain

Ear Cleaning

• Floppy ears: Weekly
• Upright ears: Every 2-4 weeks
• After swimming: Always

Max had chronic ear infections before I started cleaning regularly.

Coat Brushing

• 2-3 times weekly
• Daily during shedding
• Removes dead hair
• Let’s check the skin

 Skin Checks

• Look for lumps or bumps
• Check for cuts or wounds
• Watch for rashes
• Look for parasites

I found Max’s small skin tumour during brushing. The vet removed it early.

Weight Management

Obesity causes arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, and a shorter lifespan.

Maintaining a Healthy Weight

How I Keep Max Healthy:

• Measured meals (no free feeding)
• Regular exercise (see our dog exercise guide)
• Limited treats
• Proper nutrition (check our dog nutrition guide)
• Weekly weigh-ins

Body Condition Scoring

Ideal Weight

• Feel ribs with slight pressure
• Visible waist from above
• Abdominal tuck from the side

Overweight

• Can’t feel ribs easily
• No visible waist
• Sagging abdomen

I check Max’s condition weekly.

Home Health Monitoring

What I Watch

Vital Signs:

• Heart rate: 60-140 beats per minute (resting)
• Breathing: 10-30 breaths per minute (resting)
• Gum colour: Pink

Eating and Drinking

• Normal appetite
• Steady water intake (about 1 ounce per pound daily)

Bathroom Habits

• Frequency (Max goes 3-4 times daily)
• Stool consistency
• Urine color

Red Flags

• Appetite loss over 24 hours
• Excessive drinking
• Diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours
• Blood in stool or urine
• Straining

Keeping Records

My Health Binder

• Vaccination records
• Vet visit summaries
• Test results
• Weight chart
• Health change notes

This helps when seeing new vets.

Key Takeaways

• Dog preventive care costs way less than treating diseases
• Dog vaccinations protect against deadly diseases – core vaccines are essential
•  Parasite prevention is year-round and prevents serious problems
• Dog vet checkups catch problems early: puppies every 3-4 weeks, adults yearly, seniors twice yearly
• Dog dental care prevents painful diseases and protects organs
•  Regular grooming helps find problems early
•  Maintaining a healthy weight prevents many diseases
•  Home monitoring helps you notice changes quickly
• Dog wellness care is an investment in a longer, healthier life

FAQs about Dog Preventive Care

How often should my dog see the vet?

Dog vet checkups depend on age:

• Puppies (0-1 year): Every 3-4 weeks
• Adults (1-7 years): Once yearly
• Seniors (7+ years): Twice yearly

Max’s senior checkups are crucial. His vet caught kidney changes early because we do checkups every 6 months.

Also, see your vet immediately if your dog seems sick or injured.

What vaccines does my dog really need?

All dogs need core vaccines: Rabies and DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza).

Non-core vaccines depend on lifestyle:

• Bordetella: Daycare, boarding, grooming, dog parks
• Lyme: Tick-heavy areas
• Leptospirosis: Wildlife or contaminated water exposure
• Canine flu: Outbreak areas

Max gets core vaccines plus Bordetella, Lyme, and Leptospirosis based on his activities.

How much does dog preventive care cost?

My yearly costs for Max:

• Annual vet exam: $150
• Vaccines: $100-150
• Parasite prevention: $420
• Dental care at home: $50
• Professional cleaning every 2-3 years: $400-600
• Total: About $700-750 yearly

Senior years cost more (two checkups, blood work): About $900-1,000 yearly.

Compared to emergency costs:

• Heartworm treatment: $2,000
• Parvovirus: $1,500-3,000
• Emergency surgery: $2,000-5,000

Dog preventive care saves thousands.

Can I skip vaccines if my dog stays home?

No. Even indoor dogs need dog vaccinations.

Why:

• Rabies is required by law
• Diseases like parvo live in the environment (you track it in on your shoes)
• Dogs occasionally go outside
• Emergency vet visits expose them to sick animals

Max is primarily indoors but gets all core vaccines. The risk is too high without protection.

What’s the most important preventive care?

If I had to pick one, it’s regular vet checkups. They catch everything before symptoms appear.

But honestly, you need all of it:

• Vaccines prevent deadly diseases
• Parasite prevention stops heartworm and tick diseases
• Dental care prevents infections
• Weight management prevents joint disease and diabetes

Dog wellness care works best as a complete package.

My Final Words

Dog preventive care changed my approach to Max’s health. Instead of waiting for problems, I prevent them. Yes, prevention costs money. But it costs so much less than treatment. More importantly, it prevents suffering.

Max’s heartworm treatment was awful. He felt sick. He had to stay quiet for months. All of it was preventable. Start today. Schedule that checkup. Start parasite prevention. Brush those teeth. Your dog will thank you with extra years of health and happiness.

For complete information on keeping your dog healthy, check our dog health guide.

Medical Disclaimer: I’m not a vet. What I share comes from my own experience with my dog, lots of reading, and talking to veterinary professionals. Always talk to your vet about your dog’s health care needs.

Reference

American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)
“Canine Vaccination Guidelines”
https://www.aaha.org/aaha-guidelines/vaccination-canine-configuration/

Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC)
“Dog Dental Care Guidelines”
https://www.vohc.org/

Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC)
“Parasite Prevention Recommendations”
https://www.capcvet.org/