Dog Health and Preventative Care

Routine preventative care

Preventative care is about reducing avoidable health risks and noticing problems early. Routine veterinary checks, appropriate vaccination, parasite control, dental care, grooming and weight monitoring form part of a sensible plan. UK guidance also requires dogs to be microchipped under the applicable rules. Keep identification and veterinary records accurate and accessible.

Know what is normal for your dog

Owners are well placed to notice changes because they see the dog every day. Watch appetite, thirst, weight, mobility, breathing, toileting, skin, coat, eyes, ears, teeth and behaviour. A sudden or persistent change can be more useful than a generic symptom list. Do not delay professional assessment if the dog appears seriously unwell, injured or in pain.

Adapt care through life

Puppies need developmental care and appropriate vaccination and socialisation. Adults need maintenance^★ of fitness and healthy weight, while older dogs may need more frequent assessment and changes to exercise, diet or home arrangements. Dogs with known conditions require individual veterinary plans. Preventative care should therefore be reviewed rather than treated as a fixed checklist that applies equally to every dog.