Pawsitive Starts: Your Dog’s New Year Checklist

With Trixie’s annual booster vaccinations booked in for the excruciatingly early time of 8.30am on Saturday 11th January, it recently occurred to me that the new year is the perfect time to take stock of our dogs’ health and wellbeing ready for the year ahead. 

Before we dive in, I want to make it clear that I am by no means an expert and am definitely not a veterinary professional. 

The information and advice I’m sharing is based on my personal experience as a dog mum of two, as well as my own research. As with anything, I understand that opinions and preferences can vary when it comes to preventative healthcare like vaccinations, neutering, and flea treatments, and while I firmly believe in the importance of these measures, I respect that others may have differing views. I ask only that you respect my views when reading, sharing and commenting on this blog. 

So, without further ado, let’s get started with my definitive checklist to ensure your dog starts the year on the right paw.

Flea & Worm Treatments

Despite the fact that both of them stay strictly indoors, my mum never skips her cats' flea and worm treatments. While it may seem a little counterproductive to most, it always makes me smile - her beloved cats are probably the least likely in the neighbourhood to catch fleas, but she still insists on protecting them. To me, that’s the ultimate sign of love.

As with cats (indoor or otherwise 😉), regular flea and worm treatments are essential for protecting our dogs against a number of parasites and their potential associated health risks. 

Flea infestations, for example, can cause extreme itching, increasing the risk of your dog damaging their skin and developing secondary bacterial infections. Like many westies, Vivienne’s skin is extremely sensitive, so I’m especially vigilant about keeping her protected from fleas and other irritants.

Worms, a type of parasite that live within your pet’s intestines, also require regular preventative treatments. Lungworms, tapeworms and roundworms can grow rapidly if your dog ingests their eggs or larvae, while new-born puppies can also inherit them from their mother. 

To combat these risks, Vivienne and Trixie both receive monthly CaniTrio treatments, which protect them from: 

• Fleas, ticks and mites.

• Lungworm and heartworm disease.

• GI nematodes, including hookworms & roundworms.

As they are part of the Complete Wellness Plan at White Cross Vets, these are included in a fixed monthly fee of £28.50 per dog, alongside unlimited consultations, annual vaccinations and an annual comprehensive physical examination.

Also covered by their Complete Wellness Plan are their regular Droncit treatments to protect against tapeworm. Vivienne has one every six months and Trixie every three.

Vaccinations & Annual Physical Exam

According to UK-wide research by the PDSA, 20% of pet dogs in the UK do not receive regular vaccinations, with 11% of those surveyed saying this is because they are not necessary.

Despite these shocking statistics, the fact remains that vaccinating your dog is essential for protecting them against a range of potentially life-threatening diseases, including parvovirus and distemper.

Following their initial puppy vaccinations, annual booster vaccinations administered every 12 months are vital for maintaining immunity and helping control the spread of infectious diseases. Plus, many boarding kennels won’t accept dogs without up-to-date vaccinations.

While the majority of vaccinations are administered via injection, kennel cough vaccines are given via the nose. As this is a live vaccine, it’s important to ensure that your dog is kept away from immunocompromised individuals and doesn’t stay in kennels for up to two weeks after their course.

Vivienne and Trixie’s annual booster appointment includes a comprehensive physical examination as part of their Complete Wellness Plan. This involves:

• Checking their eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and teeth.

• Listening to their heart and lungs.

• Examining their abdomen, skin, coat, and joints.

• Blood and urine tests to screen for conditions like diabetes, anaemia, or kidney and liver issues.

While this is typically an all-day appointment, Vivienne’s anxiety means we opt for a shorter, in-and-out session, which suits both her and I much better.

Grooming

Regardless of your dog’s coat type, regular grooming is key to their health and wellbeing. While improving the appearance of your dog’s coat is typically seen as the main benefit, grooming also helps: 

• Remove excess hair and dead skin cells. 

• Prevent painful matts.

• Maintain hygiene (including the occasional external anal gland expression).

• Remove foreign objects which may cause discomfort - e.g. grass seeds. 

As a high-maintenance westie, Vivienne (reluctantly) visits the groomers every 6-8 weeks for a full bath and trim to keep her looking and feeling her best. Trixie, on the other hand, is a little lower-maintenance thanks to her sleek, silky coat, which doesn’t require as much attention. Her nails, however, seem to grow at lightning speed, so I make sure she gets a bath, brush, and claw trim every 12 weeks to keep her comfortable and happy.

If professional grooming isn’t your preference, many vets will also trim claws during routine appointments - so don’t hesitate to ask.

Check & Update Microchip Details

Microchipping has been a legal requirement for all dog owners in England, Scotland and Wales since 6th April 2016. This means that all dogs must be microchipped by 8 weeks of age and have their details registered on a compliant database. Keeping the registered contact details up to date is also compulsory. 

So, if you moved house or changed your contact details in the last 12 months and still need to update your dog’s microchip details to reflect this, now is the perfect time to do so. 

Depending on your registered database, you will be charged an admin fee of between £6 and £20 to update your details. For some databases, this will be a one off fee which will cover all future changes. For others, the same fee will be charged for future changes.

If you haven’t already done so, make sure you also update your dog’s collar ID tag to include your new details. Legally, it must display your name, address, and postcode, but I also recommend adding your mobile number for quick and easy contact.

Neutering

While Vivienne was spayed at six months following the advice we received at the time, Trixie’s larger stature and breed disposition to joint problems led us to deciding to wait until she had gone through her first season. As this finally happened in October 2024, she will soon be heading to the vets for her spay - wish her (and us) luck! 

Neutering has been proven to provide significant health benefits, including reduced risks of certain cancers and infections, as well as improved behaviour. Timing, however, is important, so it’s always best to discuss your options with your vet to determine what’s right for your dog.

Unlike the other features in this blog, neutering is only a one-time procedure, but it is definitely important to consider if, like us, you are not looking to breed your dog. 

If you’re unsure about when - or if - you should neuter your dog, speak with your vet or check out The Kennel Club‘s detailed guidance.

Final Thoughts

Starting the new year with a focus on your dog's health and wellbeing is a great way to set the tone for a happy and healthy 2025 - for both you and your fur baby! 

From ensuring their vaccinations are up to date to maintaining regular flea and worm treatments, there are so many ways we can support our dogs’ physical and emotional health. As dog parents, our choices have a profound impact on their lives and wellbeing, so taking the time to implement these checks at the start of the year can make all the difference. 

And remember, while this blog reflects my personal experiences and research, every dog is unique, and what works for one might not work for another. When in doubt, always consult your vet to tailor these tips to your dog's specific needs.

Here’s to making 2025 the healthiest, happiest year yet for our four-legged friends!