Terri Ramsey Beavers 
We all want the best for our dog and will do whatever we can to keep them happy and healthy.
From natural food and supplements to plenty of exercise, there is a lot you can do as an owner. But there are some things only a professional can notice, so knowing when to take a dog to the vet is a great way of ensuring you’re doing everything right.
Read on for some easy to follow advice.
When to Take a Dog to the Vet
Like with many questions, the answer depends on a number of factors.
In general terms, the amount of times you should take your dog to the vet varies depending on their age. From there, if they’re diagnosed with any issues, you will need to follow the vet’s guidance on when to bring them in for checkups.
Just try to follow these general guidelines.
Puppy Power
Dogs are at their most vulnerable when they are under four months old. Between still needing all their vaccinations and their insatiable curiosity to explore, they’re at risk of picking up the wrong thing.
If your pup is just a few weeks old, it’s recommended you take them to the vet once a month until their over four months. It may seem annoying but a sick or unhealthy dog can end up costing you thousands of dollars and a lot of headaches.
This is a great way to give your new best friend the best start in life. Of course, every dog (especially purebred) is susceptible to certain genetic conditions so make sure you read up on your pet’s biggest risks.
Getting insurance before anything is diagnosed will keep you covered and prevent the insurance company from denying you compensation due to a “pre-existing condition.”
All Grown Up
Once your furry friend is happily roaming around, meeting other dogs, and enjoying life, you can sit back and relax.
At this stage, taking them to the vet once or twice a year is more than enough to ensure they’re fit and healthy. Doing this will let the vet get to know your dog and be able to notice any changes that may have taken place.
The most important thing is that they can spot things that you will never have noticed yourself. Your dog may seem happy and healthy, but conditions like gingivitis can sneak up making their gums sore and it painful for them to chew.
In the wild, an animal that shows pain or weakness runs the risk of being attacked by a predator who notices. Because of this, most dogs hide or ignore their pain so that they don’t appear weak.
That is why veterinarians like those at Sykesville Veterinary Clinic are trained to look for more biological signs that indicate something may be going wrong.
Even if you think your dog is fine, you should always take them to the vet at least once a year.
Be Prepared
Just like humans, as dogs get older they become more susceptible to illness and injury.
That’s why you need to know when to take a dog to the vet and their emergency services are. You should also make sure you are aware of what is and is not covered by your pet insurance.
Because random problems can occur and any time in a pet’s life, it’s advised to keep money set aside every year in case something goes wrong.
Check out our other articles for advice on helping your dog feel special and more.