Dog Health Care Guide: Simple Tips to Keep Your Dog Healthy

Prevention is the best medicine — follow this guide to keep your dog healthy with the right vaccines, care, and early detection habits.

Preventive care is the greatest investment in your dog's long life. Regular vaccinations, parasite prevention, dental care, and weight management can add years to your dog's healthy life and prevent thousands in veterinary bills.

Core Vaccinations

DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza): puppy series then boosters every 1-3 years. Rabies: required by law in most areas. Non-core: Bordetella, Leptospirosis, Lyme based on lifestyle.

Parasite Prevention

Year-round flea/tick prevention recommended in most climates. Monthly oral chewables most reliable for tick prevention. Annual heartworm test even with prevention.

Weight Management

Over 50% of US dogs are overweight. Excess weight reduces lifespan by 2+ years and increases risk of diabetes, joint disease, and cancer. Use our Dog Food Calculator for correct daily portions. Treats max 10% of daily calories.

Warning Signs — Contact Your Vet

Sudden lethargy, refusal to eat 24+ hours, repeated vomiting/diarrhea, blood in stool/vomit, difficulty breathing, bloated abdomen, sudden changes in drinking/urination, seizures, limping.