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Dog preventive care checklist: questions for your vet

What to book and what to ask your vet, for puppies, adult dogs and senior dogs. Read it here, or build one for your dog in three taps and save it.

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General information, not veterinary advice. It does not replace an exam: your vet knows your pet.

under 1 year

Puppy

Book first

First wellness examSet a health baseline early.
Suggested timing: within about 2 weeks
Ask your vet: What does a first wellness exam cover, and when should we come back?
Puppy vaccine seriesSeveral doses through ~16 weeks.
Suggested timing: within about 3 weeks
Ask your vet: Which vaccines are in the series, and on which dates should we come in?
Start dental care habitsEarly habits = lifelong dental health.
Suggested timing: within about 6 weeks
Ask your vet: How do I get my dog used to tooth brushing, and which products are safe for pets?

Questions for the visit

Vaccines

Which core vaccines does my dog need, and which others fit our lifestyle and area?
When is the rabies vaccine due for my dog?

Good to know

Core vaccines protect against serious, common diseases — dogs: rabies, distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus.
Puppies and kittens need a booster series; adults get periodic boosters. Your vet sets the schedule by age, lifestyle and local risk.

Parasite prevention

Which flea and tick prevention do you recommend for my dog, and for which months?
Should my dog be tested for heartworm, and when does prevention start here?
How often should my dog be dewormed?

Good to know

Year-round flea & tick prevention is recommended in most of Canada — ticks can be active even in cooler months.
Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes; ask your vet about seasonal prevention and testing.
Regular deworming protects against intestinal parasites — some can affect people too.

Nutrition & weight

Is my dog at a healthy weight? Can you give me a body-condition score?
Is the food I use right for this life stage, and how should I measure the portions?

Good to know

Feed a complete, life-stage diet (puppy/kitten, adult, senior) and measure portions.
Over half of North American pets are overweight — extra weight strains joints and shortens lifespan.
You should feel (not see) the ribs and see a waist from above. Ask your vet for a body-condition score.

Dental care

Can you show me how to brush my dog’s teeth?
Which signs mean my dog needs a dental check sooner?

Good to know

Dental disease is one of the most common pet health problems and can affect the heart, liver and kidneys.
Brush with pet-safe toothpaste (never human toothpaste) and offer vet-approved dental chews.
Bad breath, red gums or trouble eating warrant a dental check.

Routine checkups

When should we book the next visit for my dog?
Is everything on schedule: vaccines, parasite prevention and dental care?

Good to know

An annual wellness exam (twice yearly for seniors) catches problems early, before they’re costly or serious.
Keep vaccines, parasite prevention and dental care on schedule.

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1 to 6 years

Adult dog

Book first

Annual wellness examA yearly exam catches issues early.
Suggested timing: within about a month
Ask your vet: Is one exam a year the right rhythm for my dog?
Annual vaccine boosterPer your vet’s schedule.
Suggested timing: within about a month
Ask your vet: Which boosters are due this year for my dog?
Dental checkBrushing + a yearly check.
Suggested timing: within about 2 months
Ask your vet: How do my dog’s teeth and gums look today?

Questions for the visit

Routine checkups

When should we book the next visit for my dog?
Is everything on schedule: vaccines, parasite prevention and dental care?

Good to know

An annual wellness exam (twice yearly for seniors) catches problems early, before they’re costly or serious.
Keep vaccines, parasite prevention and dental care on schedule.

Vaccines

Which core vaccines does my dog need, and which others fit our lifestyle and area?
When is the rabies vaccine due for my dog?

Good to know

Core vaccines protect against serious, common diseases — dogs: rabies, distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus.
Puppies and kittens need a booster series; adults get periodic boosters. Your vet sets the schedule by age, lifestyle and local risk.

Parasite prevention

Which flea and tick prevention do you recommend for my dog, and for which months?
Should my dog be tested for heartworm, and when does prevention start here?
How often should my dog be dewormed?

Good to know

Year-round flea & tick prevention is recommended in most of Canada — ticks can be active even in cooler months.
Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes; ask your vet about seasonal prevention and testing.
Regular deworming protects against intestinal parasites — some can affect people too.

Dental care

Can you show me how to brush my dog’s teeth?
Which signs mean my dog needs a dental check sooner?

Good to know

Dental disease is one of the most common pet health problems and can affect the heart, liver and kidneys.
Brush with pet-safe toothpaste (never human toothpaste) and offer vet-approved dental chews.
Bad breath, red gums or trouble eating warrant a dental check.

Nutrition & weight

Is my dog at a healthy weight? Can you give me a body-condition score?
Is the food I use right for this life stage, and how should I measure the portions?

Good to know

Feed a complete, life-stage diet (puppy/kitten, adult, senior) and measure portions.
Over half of North American pets are overweight — extra weight strains joints and shortens lifespan.
You should feel (not see) the ribs and see a waist from above. Ask your vet for a body-condition score.

Personalize and save this checklist →

7 years and up

Senior dog

Book first

Senior wellness screeningOften recommended twice a year for seniors.
Suggested timing: within about 2 weeks
Ask your vet: How often should my dog come in now, and what does a senior screening include?
Annual vaccine boosterKeep core boosters current.
Suggested timing: within about a month
Ask your vet: Which boosters still make sense for my dog at this age?
Dental cleaningDental disease accelerates with age.
Suggested timing: within about 6 weeks
Ask your vet: Is a dental cleaning due for my dog, and what does it involve?

Questions for the visit

Senior pets

Should my dog move to two checkups a year?
Which changes in weight, thirst, appetite, mobility or behaviour should I report to you?

Good to know

Pets are often “senior” around 7 (sooner for giant breeds) and benefit from twice-yearly checkups.
Watch for changes in weight, thirst, appetite, mobility or behaviour — early detection helps.

Routine checkups

When should we book the next visit for my dog?
Is everything on schedule: vaccines, parasite prevention and dental care?

Good to know

An annual wellness exam (twice yearly for seniors) catches problems early, before they’re costly or serious.
Keep vaccines, parasite prevention and dental care on schedule.

Dental care

Can you show me how to brush my dog’s teeth?
Which signs mean my dog needs a dental check sooner?

Good to know

Dental disease is one of the most common pet health problems and can affect the heart, liver and kidneys.
Brush with pet-safe toothpaste (never human toothpaste) and offer vet-approved dental chews.
Bad breath, red gums or trouble eating warrant a dental check.

Nutrition & weight

Is my dog at a healthy weight? Can you give me a body-condition score?
Is the food I use right for this life stage, and how should I measure the portions?

Good to know

Feed a complete, life-stage diet (puppy/kitten, adult, senior) and measure portions.
Over half of North American pets are overweight — extra weight strains joints and shortens lifespan.
You should feel (not see) the ribs and see a waist from above. Ask your vet for a body-condition score.

Vaccines

Which core vaccines does my dog need, and which others fit our lifestyle and area?
When is the rabies vaccine due for my dog?

Good to know

Core vaccines protect against serious, common diseases — dogs: rabies, distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus.
Puppies and kittens need a booster series; adults get periodic boosters. Your vet sets the schedule by age, lifestyle and local risk.

Parasite prevention

Which flea and tick prevention do you recommend for my dog, and for which months?
Should my dog be tested for heartworm, and when does prevention start here?
How often should my dog be dewormed?

Good to know

Year-round flea & tick prevention is recommended in most of Canada — ticks can be active even in cooler months.
Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes; ask your vet about seasonal prevention and testing.
Regular deworming protects against intestinal parasites — some can affect people too.

Personalize and save this checklist →

Checklist version 2026.10.2 · October 3, 2026 · wanloo.ca/pet-care