Your young dog is truly growing up. Let’s review the milestones most puppies should have hit by the time they’re 18 months old.
Is 18 months still a puppy? When are puppies considered adult dogs?
There is no precise cutoff for when puppies are considered adult dogs, as it varies by the animal’s size and breed. The end of the puppy phase is often considered to be when the dog’s rapid growth phase ends. For some really small dogs, this can be around 6 to 8 months of age. For medium dogs, it’s usually around a year. Your large- or giant-breed dogs can become adults closer to 18 to 24 months.
The following are milestones to check on now that your pup is either an adult or approaching adulthood. Please note that recommendations do vary, so some dogs, especially giant-breed dogs, may not have hit all these milestones just yet. If you haven’t completed one of the steps below, make sure to check with your VCA care team to see when they’re recommending it for your dog.
Spay/neuter
If you’re not intending to breed your dog, it’s a good idea to get them spayed or neutered. The recommended age to alter your dog differs by their size. Most small and medium dogs will have the spay or neuter procedure recommended by this time. However, giant-breed dogs may not get altered until they’re closer to 2 years.
Switching to adult dog food
Except for giant-breed dogs, most dogs will have reached their adult size and should have switched to adult food by now. Feeding puppy food to a full-grown dog could contribute to obesity. If you are still feeding puppy food, check with your VCA care team about when you should make the switch. Make sure to switch your dog’s food slowly over 7 to 10 days to avoid stomach upset.
Annual wellness exam
Your dog is due for their annual wellness exam one year after finishing their puppy vaccines. Most puppies finish their puppy series when they’re around 4 months old. If you haven’t had your first annual wellness exam, contact your VCA care team.
First dental cleaning
Small and medium dogs should have their first cleaning by the time they’re 1 year old, and giant-breed dogs should have their first dental by the time they’re 2 years old. If your small or medium dog hasn’t had their first dental cleaning, it’s a great idea to get this set up as soon as possible to prevent the development of periodontal disease. If you have a giant-breed dog, consider contacting your VCA care team to get your young dog on the schedule!
Baseline lab work
Blood work is usually recommended at your annual wellness visit. Lab work performed now will help your veterinary team determine your dog’s baseline blood values, allowing for comparison over the years. Regular lab work allows for earlier detection of diseases.
CareClub® Dog Wellness Plans are available to help you distribute the cost of your pet’s health care and save money* as your dog moves into adulthood. Enroll today!
CareClub Memberships are preventive pet health care plans and not pet insurance. CareClub Membership covers only the selected health care services and products which are specifically identified in the applicable CareClub Membership agreement.
*The savings are based on a comparison of the cost of services without a CareClub plan at VCA. Plan prices are fixed and include the items in the selected plan.
