1- Take your dog to the vet at least once a year for a checkup. For senior pets, exams are recommended more frequently to catch early signs of medical problems.2- Don’t put off your dog’s annual vet exam! Dogs age more rapidly than humans, so postponing a veterinary visit for just a couple of months could be the human equivalent of delaying a potentially life-saving test for years.

3- Pay attention to changes in your dog’s behavior. A slight change in appetite or activity may be the first sign of what could become a serious health issue for an aging pet.

4- Ask lots of questions! Your vet doesn’t see you dog every day like you do–if you’re curious about a particular behavior or habit your dog has developed, don’t be afraid to ask about it.

5- A urinalysis can diagnose urinary tract infections, diabetes and kidney disease.

6- A blood-chemistry panel test checks kidney, pancreas, liver and thyroid functions.

7- Parasite evaluations look for roundworms, tapeworms, heartworms, fleas and ticks.

8- Make sure your vet does a complete blood count to diagnose anemia, inflammation, infections and blood disorders.

9- Don’t ignore dirty teeth. If your vet recommends a teeth cleaning for your dog, try not to put it off. Bad teeth can lead to a number of serious health problems with your dog in the future. If a teeth cleaning is out of your budget, consider anesthesia-free cleanings–they are often half the price of traditional teeth cleanings.

10- Consider pet insurance for older dogs. The chance of health problems is higher in an older pet, so it’s nice to have pet insurance as a safety net if an expensive test or procedure is needed.