Preventive Pet Care

Preventive care is the set of routines and scheduled interventions that keep your pet healthy before problems develop. Annual wellness exams — or twice-yearly visits for senior pets — give your veterinarian the opportunity to detect early changes, update vaccination status, check for parasites, and assess overall body condition. These visits also create a health baseline that makes it easier to notice meaningful changes over time.

Vaccination schedules vary by species, age, and lifestyle. Core vaccines protect against the most serious and widespread diseases; non-core vaccines are recommended based on your pet's specific exposure risks. Parasite prevention — covering fleas, ticks, heartworm, and intestinal worms depending on your region — is most effective when maintained consistently year-round rather than applied only when parasites are visibly present. Your vet can recommend the most appropriate protocols for your area and your pet's circumstances.

At-home monitoring is a valuable part of preventive care between appointments. Brief daily or weekly checks — running your hands over your pet's body to feel for new lumps, checking ears for unusual odour or discharge, looking at gum colour, and noting any changes in weight or energy — help you build familiarity with what's normal for your pet. That familiarity is what allows you to notice when something has changed.