Routine veterinary exams are one of the most effective ways to protect your pet’s long-term health. At Lakecity Animal Hospital, we regularly meet pet owners who only book an appointment when something seems wrong. As a Kelowna vet, we see firsthand how regular vet checkups help catch issues early, reduce treatment costs, and improve quality of life for both dogs and cats.
Whether you are new to Kelowna and searching for vets near me, or simply want to understand the ideal exam schedule, this guide explains how often pets really need exams and what to expect from a trusted animal clinic.
Key Takeaways:
- Regular vet checkups help catch issues early, before they turn into costly emergencies.
- Most adult pets need a vet checkup once a year, while senior dogs and cats benefit from an exam every six months.
- Puppies and kittens require more frequent visits early on for vaccines, growth tracking, and preventive care.
- A trusted Kelowna vet can tailor the right timeline based on your pet’s age, breed, lifestyle, and health history.
- Keeping consistent medical records matters, especially if your pet ever needs surgery.
- Choosing the right veterinary clinic or West Kelowna vet hospital should include experience, clear communication, and continuity of care.
Why Regular Vet Checkups Matter for Dog Health Care and Cat Wellbeing
Preventive care is the foundation of modern veterinary medicine. A routine vet checkup allows a veterinarian to evaluate weight, dental health, joints, skin, and internal systems before small issues turn into serious conditions.
From a dog health care perspective, early exams help identify joint strain, heart disease, parasites, and skin infections. Cats are especially skilled at hiding discomfort, which means routine cat treatment visits are often the only way to detect illness early.
Consistent care also creates a reliable medical history. This becomes particularly important if your pet ever needs surgery or wound management. Regular vet checkups also reduce stress. Pets who visit the same veterinary clinic consistently tend to be calmer, making exams and treatments easier over time.
Kelowna Vet Checkup Schedule for Dogs: Puppy, Adult, and Senior Exam Timelines
Dogs need different vet checkup schedules depending on age, breed, size, and lifestyle. A Kelowna vet will personalize recommendations, but these timelines are a solid starting point for most families:
Puppies (up to ~16 weeks)
Puppies should visit a veterinary clinic every 3 to 4 weeks until about 16 weeks old. These early appointments are about setting your dog up for a healthy life.
What a puppy vet checkup usually covers:
- Core vaccine series and timing
- Parasite prevention (fleas, ticks, deworming guidance)
- Weight and growth monitoring to confirm healthy development
- Nutrition guidance (feeding amount, food type, treats)
- Behaviour basics (teething, biting, socialization, crate training tips)
- Early health screening (heart murmurs, congenital issues, stool checks)
Why this stage matters long-term:
- Early baseline records help track changes as they grow
- If a puppy ever needs a procedure later on, knowing how they previously healed can help guide future treatment decisions
Adult dogs (roughly 1 to 7 years)
Most adult dogs do best with a vet checkup once per year. Even when your dog seems healthy, annual exams catch issues that are easy to miss at home.
Common focus areas during adult exams:
- Weight management and body condition scoring
- Dental health checks (tartar, gum disease, bad breath)
- Mobility and joint evaluation, especially for active dogs
- Skin and coat assessment (itching, hot spots, allergies)
- Heart and lung evaluation
- Lifestyle-based prevention (parasites, travel, boarding needs)
If your dog is very active or working:
Annual checkups are especially helpful for spotting early strain injuries
Your Kelowna vet may recommend additional monitoring for joints, paws, and conditioning depending on the dog’s job or sport
Senior dogs (typically 7+ years)
Senior dogs benefit from vet checkups every 6 months because age-related conditions can develop quickly and progress faster than expected.
Why twice-yearly exams help:
- Arthritis and mobility issues can worsen with colder weather and inactivity
- Organ disease (kidney, liver) can be subtle early on
- Dental disease often advances quietly but impacts overall health
- Weight changes and appetite shifts can signal underlying problems
What senior vet checkups may include more often:
- More detailed physical exams and pain checks
- Bloodwork or urine testing based on your veterinarian’s recommendations
- Tailored dog care plans for comfort, mobility, and quality of life
How Often Do Cats Need Vet Checkups? Vet-Recommended Timelines by Life Stage
Many pet owners wonder how often their cat needs a checkup, especially when their cat is indoors and seems perfectly fine. The short answer is that the right schedule depends on age, but routine exams are important at every stage because cats are masters at hiding pain and illness. A veterinary clinic often catches changes long before they become obvious at home.
Kittens (up to ~12 months)
Kittens follow a schedule similar to puppies, with more frequent visits early on to build immunity and establish healthy growth.
Typical kitten vet checkup focus areas:
- Vaccine series and timing
- Deworming and parasite prevention guidance
- Weight and growth monitoring
- Nutrition advice (feeding amounts, transitions, treats)
- Early dental and gum checks
- Behaviour support (litter box habits, scratching, socialization)
Why early exams matter:
- Kittens develop quickly, and small issues can escalate fast
- Early records help your veterinarian spot changes later in life
Adult cats (about 1 to 10 years)
Adult cats should visit a veterinary clinic at least once per year, even if they never step outside. Indoor cats still face common health concerns that can go unnoticed without a physical exam.
Annual cat checkups commonly help monitor:
- Weight changes (one of the earliest warning signs in cats)
- Dental disease (painful and very common, often hidden)
- Early kidney changes
- Thyroid issues (especially in middle-aged and older cats)
- Skin and coat concerns (overgrooming, dandruff, allergies)
- Stress-related behaviours (peeing outside the litter box, aggression, hiding)
A practical note for long-term cat treatment:
- If a cat ever needs surgery later in life, past medical notes are helpful for planning safe care. Healing can vary between cats, and prior records can guide decisions around wound care, recheck timing, and recovery support.
Senior cats (typically 10+ years)
Senior cats should be examined every six months because age-related conditions can progress quickly, and cats often don’t show strong symptoms until disease is advanced.
Twice-yearly senior exams help with:
- Early detection of kidney disease and dehydration
- Thyroid monitoring
- Mobility and arthritis screening (yes, cats get arthritis often)
- Dental pain and mouth inflammation
- Appetite, hydration, and litter box pattern changes
What to Expect at a Vet Checkup in a Vet Clinic Kelowna Pet Owners Trust
A standard vet checkup includes a full nose-to-tail physical exam. Your veterinarian will assess eyes, ears, teeth, heart, lungs, abdomen, joints, hydration, and skin. These exams are designed to catch small problems early, which is especially important for cats that hide symptoms and for dogs whose health can change seasonally.
In a West Kelowna veterinary hospital, a typical visit may also include:
- Weight and body condition scoring
- Vaccine review and updates based on lifestyle and age
- Parasite prevention planning (even indoor pets can be exposed)
- Nutrition and activity discussion tailored to your pet’s routine
- Dental assessment and home-care recommendations
- Behaviour and habit review (energy, appetite, thirst, litter box, stool)
If your pet has had surgery or wounds in the past, your veterinarian will often review:
- How quickly healing occurred
- Whether there were any infections or irritation
- Whether licking, chewing, or re-opening was an issue
- What aftercare worked best (cone, suit, bandage, recheck timing)
Vet checkups are also the perfect time to bring up the “small stuff” that can actually be meaningful, such as:
- Sneezing, coughing, or changes in breathing
- Drinking more or peeing more than usual
- Bad breath or drooling
- Itching, ear scratching, or coat changes
- Limping, stiffness, or hesitation with stairs
- Any questions about aftercare or recovery routines
Final Thoughts: Preventive Care Starts with the Right Vet Checkup Schedule
Routine vet checkups are one of the simplest ways to protect your pet’s health. From puppyhood to senior years, consistent exams support dog care, cat treatment, and long-term wellness. Whether your pet needs preventive care, monitoring after surgery, or guidance for age-related changes, partnering with a knowledgeable veterinarian makes a meaningful difference. At Lakecity Animal Hospital, our team is committed to supporting every stage of your pet’s life. If your dog or cat is due for a vet checkup, book an appointment today.