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Most pet owners do some of this. Almost none do all of it.
Not because they don't care — but because pet healthcare is distributed across multiple appointment types, multiple providers, and a calendar that doesn't come with built-in reminders. The gaps accumulate quietly. And because pets can't tell you when something is off, the gaps often stay invisible until they aren't.
This checklist covers everything that should happen in a given year for adult dogs and cats.
Vaccinations
Dogs — core vaccines (every 1–3 years depending on vaccine type):
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Rabies — legally required in most US states; interval varies by state and vaccine used
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DHPP / DA2PP (Distemper, Hepatitis/Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus) — typically every 3 years after the initial series
Dogs — non-core vaccines (based on lifestyle and exposure risk):
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Bordetella (kennel cough) — annually or every 6 months for dogs who board, attend daycare, or visit dog parks
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Leptospirosis — annually for dogs with outdoor exposure, particularly near water
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Lyme disease — annually for dogs in tick-endemic regions
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Canine Influenza — annually for dogs with high social exposure
Cats — core vaccines (every 1–3 years):
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Rabies — same legal requirements as dogs
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FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia) — every 3 years after initial series
Cats — non-core vaccines:
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FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) — recommended for cats with outdoor access; annually or every 2 years
Action this year: Pull your pet's vaccination records. Check what's due and when. Schedule accordingly.
Parasite prevention
Heartworm prevention: Monthly year-round in most of the US. The American Heartworm Society recommends year-round prevention regardless of climate. Missing doses creates gaps in coverage.
Annual heartworm test: Required before starting or resuming a prescription heartworm preventive. Recommended annually even with consistent prevention.
Flea and tick prevention: Year-round in most climates. Ticks are active in temperatures above 40°F — which in many US regions is most of the year.
Intestinal parasite screening: Annual fecal testing is recommended by the Companion Animal Parasite Council, even for indoor pets. Some intestinal parasites are transmissible to humans.
Action this year: Confirm your pet is on year-round prevention. Schedule a heartworm test and fecal screen at your next appointment.
Dental health
Dental disease affects an estimated 80% of dogs and 70% of cats over age three. It is also the most consistently undertreated condition in pets.
Annual professional dental cleaning: Performed under general anesthesia — the only way to properly assess and clean below the gumline where disease develops.
At-home dental care: Daily toothbrushing with pet-specific toothpaste is the gold standard. The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) maintains a list of products with proven efficacy.
Signs of dental disease: Bad breath, pawing at the mouth, dropping food, reluctance to chew, drooling, visible discoloration or tartar.
Action this year: Schedule a dental exam if your pet hasn't had one in the past year.
Preventive bloodwork
Young adult pets (1–6 years): A baseline blood panel every 1–2 years. Includes CBC and chemistry panel assessing organ function.
Middle-aged pets (7–10 years): Annual bloodwork. Catches kidney disease, liver changes, and thyroid dysfunction early.
Senior pets (10+ years): Twice-yearly bloodwork. Senior panels include thyroid testing and blood pressure measurement.
Action this year: If your pet hasn't had bloodwork in the past year, request it at their next appointment.
Weight and body condition
Body condition scoring (BCS) runs from 1–9, with 4–5 being ideal. At a healthy weight: you can feel ribs easily without pressing hard, there is a visible waist from above, and the abdomen tucks upward from the side.
Obesity is associated with arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and shortened lifespan. It's also one of the most manageable health conditions — when caught early.
Action this year: Weigh your pet and compare to their weight from last year. Ask your vet to score them at the next visit.
Behavioral health
Behavioral changes are one of the most reliable early indicators of physical health problems — and they're easy to overlook or attribute to aging.
Note and report any changes in appetite, water intake, sleep patterns, activity level, social behavior, litter box habits, or bathroom patterns. "She's just getting older" is sometimes true. It's also sometimes thyroid disease, kidney disease, arthritis, or cognitive dysfunction — all of which are manageable when caught.
Records and documentation
Every item in this checklist generates a record — a vaccine certificate, a lab result, a dental grade. Those records matter when you see a new vet, visit a specialist, or end up in an emergency clinic.
Waggle Vault stores all of this in one place — organized, searchable, and shareable with any vet in seconds. As you work through this checklist, it's the place to keep track of what you've confirmed and what's outstanding.
