Complete Preventive Care Guide for Dogs 1–7 Years

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Introduction: Why Adult Dog Preventive Care Matters

Adult dogs, roughly 1–7 years old, are in their prime, and this is the optimal time to prevent disease rather than pay for costly treatment of serious health problems later. [1] Global veterinary organisations like the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) emphasise that regular wellness exams, parasite control, appropriate nutrition, and vaccinations form the foundation of long-term health and quality of life. [1] Preventive care typically costs far less than treating advanced disease, and catching problems early can add years of healthy life for your dog. [1]

This article covers how to work with your vet on a simple, evidence-based health plan that covers annual exams, weight management, parasite prevention, dental health, vaccinations, and daily home monitoring. Information in this guide is based on current AAHA-AVMA guidelines, WSAVA wellness recommendations, and peer-reviewed research from veterinary institutions.

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Annual Wellness Checkups

Why Yearly Vet Visits Matter

Yearly wellness exams are not simply “a quick look”—they represent your main opportunity to find disease before your dog shows obvious clinical signs. [1] Many serious conditions, such as kidney disease, diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease, often display few or no early symptoms until they are quite advanced and harder and more expensive to treat. [1]

Regular exams also allow your vet to track weight, behaviour, and laboratory results over time, so small changes are spotted early and managed while they remain manageable. [1] [4] This kind of early-detection approach is a cornerstone of wellness frameworks created for pet owners and vets worldwide.

What Happens During a Wellness Exam

In a comprehensive adult-dog exam, your vet will typically perform:

• Complete physical assessment: Check the whole body, including skin, coat, eyes, ears, mouth, lymph nodes, abdomen, heart, lungs, and joints. [1]
• Weight and body condition: Record weight and body condition score (BCS) to see if your dog is at ideal weight, overweight, or obese. [1]
• Health history review: Ask about diet, exercise, behaviour, and any changes you have noticed at home. [1]
• Screening tests: Recommend blood, urine, and other screening tests when needed, especially as dogs age or if risk factors are present. [1]

AAHA-AVMA preventive healthcare guidelines support using screening tests to identify issues such as kidney disease, thyroid dysfunction, and metabolic changes before obvious clinical signs appear. [4] Over time, these records help your vet identify patterns, judge whether treatments are working, and spot new problems sooner.

How Often Should Adult Dogs See the Vet?

Young adults (1–4 years): Once yearly is usually sufficient, focusing on parasite prevention, vaccinations, and monitoring for breed-specific health issues. [1]

Mature adults (5–7 years): Your vet may recommend more frequent checks and baseline bloodwork even if your dog seems healthy, to catch early kidney disease, thyroid issues, or metabolic changes before clinical signs emerge. [1]

Senior dogs (7+ years): Many vets and current wellness frameworks recommend exams every 6 months plus basic blood and urine tests yearly, because disease risk rises sharply in older dogs. [1] [4] This schedule allows better monitoring of chronic pain, mobility changes, and effectiveness of long-term medications.

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Healthy Weight and Body Condition

The Dog Obesity Problem

Obesity is one of the most common preventable health issues in companion dogs today. A 2024 UK study found that 50% of dogs are overweight or obese, making excess weight more common than ideal weight in the general population. [5] In the United States, recent estimates suggest that over 50% of the canine population is overweight or obese. [6] Obesity is not merely a cosmetic issue; it is a genuine medical condition that significantly raises the risk of diabetes, joint disease, heart problems, and a shortened lifespan. [1]

Research has shown that overweight dogs experience more pain, reduced mobility, and higher rates of metabolic diseases. [6] Keeping your dog lean is one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve comfort and extend healthy lifespan. [7]

How to Assess Your Dog’s Body Condition

Veterinarians use a Body Condition Score (BCS) chart to evaluate how lean or heavy a dog is. The 9-point scale is the most commonly used system in veterinary practice and is recommended by WSAVA. [8]

Body Condition Score (9-Point Scale)	Assessment
Ideal (BCS 4–5/9)	You can feel the ribs easily without pressing hard, there is a visible waist when viewed from above, and the belly tucks up when viewed from the side. [1]
Overweight (BCS 6–7/9)	Ribs are harder to feel under a thicker fat layer, the waist is faint or missing, and the belly may sag slightly. [1]
Obese (BCS 8–9/9)	Ribs are very difficult to feel, the body looks barrel-shaped with no waist, and clear fat pads are visible with a sagging belly. [1]

Your vet can formally score your dog and confirm if the current weight is appropriate for the breed, age, and body type. [9] Ask your clinic to show you a BCS reference chart so you can monitor your dog’s condition at home between visits.

Steps to a Safe Weight-Loss Plan

Step 1: Medical evaluation. Before restricting calories, your vet should rule out medical causes of weight gain such as hypothyroidism, Cushing’s syndrome, or medication side effects. [1]

Step 2: Calculate current caloric intake. Measure all food accurately, including treats, table scraps, and training rewards. Remember that treats should comprise no more than about 10% of total daily calories. [1] Dog food labels now display caloric content per cup or can and per kilogram, as required by AAFCO standards. [10]

Step 3: Set realistic weight-loss goals. A safe target is about 1–2% body weight loss per week. For a 30 kg dog, that equals roughly 0.3–0.6 kg weekly or 1.3–2.6 kg monthly. [1]

Step 4: Implement dietary changes. Your vet may suggest a prescription weight-management diet that is high in protein, higher in fibre, and lower in calories per kilogram, and has been tested in controlled feeding trials. [1] Prescription diets are specifically formulated to preserve muscle mass during weight loss, promote satiety, and prevent nutritional deficiency. [1]

Step 5: Increase exercise gradually. Start with short, gentle walks (for example, 15–20 minutes) and gradually extend length and intensity as your dog becomes fitter. [1] Swimming is especially beneficial for obese dogs because buoyancy reduces stress on joints while providing excellent cardiovascular exercise. [1]

Step 6: Monitor progress monthly. Weigh your dog monthly at your vet clinic (home scales may be inaccurate), track changes, and adjust food portions and activity if weight loss slows. [1] Most dogs reach goal weight in 3–6 months of consistent management.

Weight loss is often not perfectly linear, so steady monitoring and small adjustments are normal. Long-term success depends on maintaining the new routine rather than pursuing quick, drastic changes that cannot be sustained.

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Year-Round Parasite Prevention

Why Parasites Are a Year-Round Threat

Parasites such as fleas, ticks, intestinal worms, and heartworm can cause itching, anaemia, organ damage, and even death if left unchecked. [1] Expert groups including the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), WSAVA, and the American Heartworm Society recommend year-round, broad-spectrum preventive treatment for all dogs, tailored to local disease risks. [11] Many parasites also transmit diseases that humans can contract, so proper control protects both pets and family members. [1] Regular prevention is usually much cheaper, safer, and easier than treating heavy infestations or advanced heartworm disease. [1]

Fleas: More Than Just an Itch

Fleas reproduce rapidly; a single female can produce hundreds of offspring, and under warm conditions they complete their life cycle in just a few weeks. [1] Flea bites can cause intense itching, flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), skin infections, tapeworm transmission, and severe anaemia in young or small dogs. [1]

Modern prescription flea products come in several forms: monthly spot-ons, oral chewables, long-lasting collars (8-month protection), and injectable options. [1] These products have undergone rigorous testing for safety and effectiveness and generally outperform over-the-counter options. Prescription preventatives are often regulated by the FDA as animal drugs and require demonstration of efficacy through controlled trials, whereas OTC products are typically regulated by the EPA as pesticides and may have variable effectiveness. [12]

Your vet can help you select a product suitable for your dog’s age, weight, lifestyle, and any other medications.

Ticks: Vectors of Serious Disease

Ticks are most dangerous because they transmit multiple serious pathogens, including Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease), Babesia species (babesiosis), Ehrlichia (ehrlichiosis), Anaplasma (anaplasmosis), and Rickettsia rickettsii (Rocky Mountain spotted fever). [1] Infection risk depends on where you live, your dog’s outdoor activity, time spent in tick-prone habitats, and travel to endemic areas, so your vet should consider regional disease patterns when recommending prevention. [1]

Many flea preventatives also repel or kill ticks, with options ranging from monthly to quarterly coverage. [1] The CAPC recommends annual testing for common tick-borne diseases in areas where they are endemic or emerging. [11]

To remove an embedded tick safely:

1. Use clean tweezers to grasp the tick at the base where mouthparts attach to skin.
2. Pull straight out with steady, even pressure.
3. Do not twist, squeeze the body, apply heat, or smother the tick, as these actions can push pathogen-laden saliva deeper into the dog.
4. Clean the bite area with antiseptic.
5. Watch your dog for signs of tick-borne disease (fever, lameness, lethargy) over the following weeks. [1]

Intestinal Worms: The “Invisible” Parasites

Common intestinal parasites include roundworms (Toxocara, Toxascaris), hookworms (Ancylostoma, Necator), whipworms (Trichuris vulpis), tapeworms (Dipylidium, Taenia), coccidia, and giardia. [1] Many are not visible in normal stool and require faecal examination to diagnose.

Prevalence by region: Surveys show variable prevalence depending on geographic location. In general veterinary practice, roundworm prevalence ranges from 1.8–5.0%, hookworm from 2.5–4.5%, and whipworm from 0.8–1.2%. [13] Regional variation is significant: the South has rates as high as 1 in 5 to 1 in 2 dogs, the Midwest approaches 1 in 5, and the Northeast reports 1 in 10. [14] Shelter dogs show particularly high whipworm prevalence at 14.3%, and teaching hospital patients at 10%. [15]

Seasonality: Parasites show seasonal patterns. Roundworms peak in winter (December–January), hookworms peak in late summer and early autumn (July–August), and whipworms peak in winter months (January–February). [13] This seasonality underscores why year-round prevention is recommended.

Health consequences: These worms cause chronic malabsorption and malnutrition, anaemia, weakness, diarrhoea, and gastrointestinal upset. [1] Several parasites are zoonotic (transmissible to humans, especially children).

Prevention strategy: CAPC guidelines recommend year-round broad-spectrum parasite prevention, with monthly or quarterly administration of products effective against multiple parasite types. [11] Faecal testing is recommended at annual wellness visits and whenever diarrhoea is present. [4] Prescription broad-spectrum preventives (such as Heartgard Plus, Interceptor Plus, Simparica Trio) protect against multiple parasite types simultaneously and are formulated for individual dog weights. [1]

Heartworm: The Most Serious Parasite

Life cycle and transmission: Heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis) are transmitted exclusively through mosquito bites. An infected mosquito injects microscopic heartworm larvae that develop over 6–7 months into adult parasites residing in the heart and pulmonary arteries. [1]

Disease progression: Early infection is often asymptomatic and detected only through annual antigen testing. Moderate infection causes exercise intolerance, mild cough, and fatigue. Severe infection triggers heart failure signs such as difficulty breathing, syncope (fainting), and fluid accumulation in the abdomen. Advanced untreated disease is often fatal. [1]

Geographic risk: Heartworm has historically been endemic in the southern United States, along major river systems, and in coastal regions. However, climate change has expanded the geographic range northward and into previously non-endemic areas. [1] The American Heartworm Society now recommends prevention in all 50 US states. [16]

Prevention protocol: All dogs should receive annual heartworm antigen testing before initiating prevention to ensure they are not already infected. [11] [16] Year-round administration of FDA-approved macrocyclic lactone preventives is essential, even in regions with seasonal mosquito activity. [1] Available products include oral tablets (Heartgard, Interceptor), topical treatments (Advantage Multi, Simparica Trio), and injectable options (ProHeart 6, which provides 6-month protection). [1] All are prescription-only and require weight-based dosing.

Treatment of infected dogs: Heartworm infection treatment is complex, expensive (often £800–2,400 or more), and requires strict rest and close monitoring due to risk of serious complications as dying adult worms lodge in blood vessels. [1] Prevention is vastly preferable to treatment.

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Dental Care for Adult Dogs

The Scale of Canine Dental Disease

Dental disease is extremely common in adult dogs and is often overlooked by owners despite its serious impact on health. The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that 80% of dogs have dental disease by age 2. [17] Large-scale UK research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) found that 12.5% of dogs receiving veterinary care were diagnosed with periodontal disease in a single year, making it the most commonly diagnosed condition in adult dogs—more common than ear infections (7.3%) or obesity (7.1%). [18]

Certain breeds show significantly higher risk. Toy Poodles have 3.97 times the risk of dental disease compared with crossbred dogs, King Charles Spaniels 2.63 times, Greyhounds 2.58 times, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 2.39 times. [19] Small dogs (under 10 kg) have 3.07 times the risk compared with dogs weighing 30–40 kg. [19] Risk increases rapidly as dogs age. [19]

Consequences of Untreated Dental Disease

Dental disease extends far beyond bad breath and cosmetic concerns. Advanced periodontal disease causes tooth loss, root exposure, severe pain affecting eating and quality of life, and oral infections with abscessation. [1]

Bacteria from dental infections enter the bloodstream (bacteremia) through damaged oral tissues, distributing throughout the body and causing systemic damage. [1] This leads to:

• Kidney disease: Oral bacteria cause chronic low-grade infection and inflammation in kidneys; chronic kidney disease is strongly associated with poor dental health. [1]
• Heart disease: Endocarditis (infection of heart valves) occurs when bacteria seed damaged valves, a condition associated with poor dental health. [1]
• Liver damage: Hepatic inflammation and infection from oral pathogens. [1]
• Immune suppression: Chronic oral inflammation triggers systemic immune activation, predisposing to other infections. [1]

Dogs with good dental health live longer, healthier lives than those with untreated dental disease. [1]

Stages of Dental Disease

Stage	Characteristics
Stage 1 (Gingivitis)	Inflammation and redness of gums; minimal plaque and tartar; no bone loss; reversible with proper cleaning. [1]
Stage 2 (Early Periodontitis)	Gum recession beginning; increased plaque and tartar; less than 25% alveolar bone loss; possible treatment with enhanced home care. [1]
Stage 3 (Moderate Periodontitis)	Significant gum recession and pocket formation; heavy plaque and tartar; 25–50% alveolar bone loss; root exposure possible; professional cleaning often necessary. [1]
Stage 4 (Advanced Periodontitis)	Severe bone loss (>50%); tooth mobility; root exposure; potential for pathologic fractures; teeth often require extraction; significant pain. [1]

Home Dental Care

Daily tooth brushing is the single most effective prevention for dental disease. [1]

1. Introduce gradually: Begin with gentle finger rubbing along the gumline without toothpaste, reward heavily, then gradually increase contact and duration. [1]
2. Use proper technique: Angle a soft-bristled toothbrush at 45 degrees toward the gum line, where plaque accumulates. Use gentle circular motions rather than harsh back-and-forth strokes. Focus on all tooth surfaces for 2–3 minutes. [1]
3. Select appropriate toothpaste: Always use dog-specific toothpaste; human toothpaste contains ingredients toxic to dogs and should never be swallowed. Enzymatic toothpastes provide antimicrobial benefits. [1]

Dental chews and diet: Some dental chews can help reduce plaque through mechanical action, though no diet prevents dental disease entirely. Some evidence suggests crunchy kibble may help slightly compared with soft food, though individual variation exists. [1] Avoid excessively hard objects (certain bones, ice) that risk fracturing teeth.

Professional Dental Cleaning

Professional dental cleaning under general anaesthesia is necessary when plaque and tartar buildup exceeds what home care can manage, periodontal pockets form, gum recession or bone loss is evident, teeth are loose or fractured, or oral pain or infection is suspected. [1]

The professional cleaning process includes:

1. Pre-anaesthetic bloodwork to assess safety.
2. General anaesthesia (necessary for thorough cleaning and assessment).
3. Ultrasonic scaling above and below the gum line.
4. Tooth polishing to smooth the surface and reduce plaque adherence.
5. Extraction of non-salvageable teeth.
6. Oral rinse with antimicrobial solution.
7. Post-operative pain management. [1]

Cleaning frequency depends on individual predisposition to disease, home care compliance, and diet. While some dogs need annual cleanings, others with excellent home care may only need cleaning every 2–3 years. [1] Professional cleanings typically cost £200–600+, depending on teeth count, disease severity, and extractions needed. [1] However, this cost is minimal compared with treating advanced periodontal disease or the systemic infections that result from untreated dental disease.

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Vaccinations: Core and Non-Core Protocols

Understanding Vaccine Categories

Core vaccines are recommended for all dogs because they protect against diseases that are severe, widely distributed, or have significant public health implications. [1] [20]

• DHPP (or DHP): A combination vaccine protecting against distemper (a highly contagious viral disease often fatal), hepatitis (a viral disease affecting the liver, kidneys, and eyes), parvovirus (a highly contagious and often fatal viral gastroenteritis), and parainfluenza (a contributor to kennel cough). [1]
• Rabies: A fatal viral disease with critical public health importance; vaccination is legally required in many regions. [1]

Non-core (risk-based) vaccines are recommended based on individual risk factors: [1]

• Leptospirosis: For dogs with exposure to wildlife, stagnant water, or farming environments. [1]
• Bordetella (kennel cough): For dogs in group settings such as boarding facilities, dog shows, day care, or training classes. [1]
• Lyme disease: Only for dogs in endemic areas with high outdoor exposure to ticks. [1] [11]
• Canine influenza: For dogs in regions with known outbreaks or those that travel or interact with many other dogs. [1]

Booster Schedule for Adult Dogs

After completing the puppy vaccination series (typically 16–18 weeks of age), adult dogs require a booster around 1 year later. [1] Subsequent boosters follow a schedule based on vaccine type and manufacturer recommendations. [1] Many core vaccines provide 3-year immunity once the booster series is complete. [21] [22] Some non-core vaccines (bordetella, intranasal influenza) may still require annual boosters for optimal protection. [1]

Rabies booster frequency varies by state law; many states allow a 3-year interval, while some require annual boosters. [21] Consult your vet about your region’s legal requirements.

Titer Testing as an Alternative

Some dog owners and veterinarians prefer antibody titer testing (blood tests measuring immune response to previous vaccinations) to determine immunity rather than vaccinating on a fixed schedule. [1] Titer testing can identify dogs with adequate immunity who may not need boosters, and may reduce over-vaccination in some scenarios. [1] However, titer testing is more expensive than routine vaccination and does not assess protection against all diseases equally well. [1]

The WSAVA acknowledges that titer testing can monitor immunity but notes that absent titers do not necessarily indicate lack of protection (memory immunity can persist), vaccination remains the most reliable way to ensure protection, and certain vaccines (rabies) are legally required regardless of titer results. [1]

Personalising Vaccination Recommendations

Vaccination recommendations should be tailored to individual dogs based on:

• Lifestyle factors: Indoor versus outdoor dogs, interaction with other dogs, travel to disease-endemic regions, boarding or group training participation, show or competition participation. [1]
• Environmental factors: Geographic location and disease prevalence, local wildlife exposure, proximity to water sources. [1]
• Medical factors: Age and life stage, pre-existing health conditions, previous vaccination reactions, immunosuppressive conditions. [1]

Work with your veterinarian to develop a vaccination protocol that protects your dog while minimising unnecessary vaccinations.

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Home Monitoring Between Vet Visits

Daily Checks You Can Do at Home

Between vet visits, you are the first line of defence for your dog’s health, because you see your dog every day and notice small changes that may escape a vet during an annual exam. [1] [4] Simple daily observation can reveal problems early, long before an annual checkup.

Watch for changes in:

• Appetite and thirst: Sudden changes in eating or drinking, especially increased thirst, can signal diabetes, kidney disease, or infection. [1]
• Toilet habits: Changes in urination (straining, accidents, very frequent trips) or stool (diarrhoea, constipation, blood, or mucus) are important warning signs. [1]
• Energy and behaviour: New lethargy, restlessness, confusion, or personality changes (becoming withdrawn or aggressive) can point to pain or illness. [1]
• Movement: Limping, stiffness, reluctance to jump or climb stairs, or reduced willingness to play may indicate joint or muscle problems. [1]
• Skin and coat: Persistent itching, hair loss, red or crusty areas, or new lumps and bumps should be checked by your vet. [1]

If any change lasts more than a day or two, or if your dog seems acutely unwell, contact your veterinary clinic for advice rather than waiting for the next annual visit. [1] [4] Many issues are easier and less expensive to treat when caught early.

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