According to veterinarians, puppies and kittens, they will need to be seen by the vet more often during their first year of life. For pet dogs over 6-7 years old, veterinarians recommend exams and blood tests every 6 months to help rule out issues with diseases (such as arthritis and kidney or heart disease). Annual examinations include physical examinations by physicians at the animal hospital and annual vaccinations or booster doses, parasite screening and prevention, and many other laboratory tests.