Keeping Pets Happy and Healthy: Why Regular Health Checks Are Essential

As a veterinary practice, we see every day how much difference a simple routine check-up can make. Pets are experts at hiding discomfort, but subtle changes often show up long before a problem becomes obvious at home. Regular health checks give us a chance to spot early warning signs, tailor preventative care, and keep your companion feeling their best for years to come.

Why regular health checks matter

  • Early detection saves stress and money. Many common issues, such as dental disease, arthritis, heart conditions, skin infections, and metabolic disorders start quietly. Caught early, they’re far easier (and usually cheaper) to manage.
  • Prevention matters. Health checks are an opportunity to assess your pet’s physical (nose to tail exam) and emotional health (review behaviour), discuss diet and weight, update parasite control, plan vaccines and fine-tune your pet’s daily routine.
  • We build a baseline. Seeing your pet when they’re well helps us understand what’s normal for them. Over time, we can spot trends, such as gradual weight changes, heart murmurs, rising dental tartar or early signs of arthritis – before they affect quality of life.
  • It strengthens the bond. Pets who visit the vet regularly tend to cope better with the experience. Positive visits build confidence, which helps if your pet ever needs surgery or hospitalisation.

What to expect at a veterinary check-up

Here’s a clear “nose-to-tail” tour of a typical examination and how each step supports your pet’s health.

1) Clinical and behavioural history

Nobody knows your pet better than you, so we’ll ask about appetite, thirst, toileting, sleep, activity, and behaviour. Subtle changes such as a reluctance to jump or changes to exercise routines can be early signs of pain. Changes in interactions with humans or other animals could mean there are behavioural changes. Changes in drinking or urinating might indicate a medical issue. This also gives you the opportunity to discuss any concerns you might have about your pet’s health or behaviour with us.

2) Weight and body condition

We’ll do a weight check to identify any loss or gain. Even small changes can signal problems, such as thyroid disease, diabetes, dental pain, parasites, or simply a diet that needs adjusting. We also score body condition (how much fat and muscle your pet has) to guide feeding plans and activity goals.

3) Eyes, nose, ears, and teeth

We examine the eyes for discharge, redness or discomfort; we might check tear production for certain breeds. Ears are inspected for redness, pain or signs of infection. Teeth and gums are assessed for plaque, tartar, gingivitis or fractures. Dental disease is common in pets, and it doesn’t just cause bad breath; it can lead to pain, infection and even systemic illness, so catching it early is essential.

4) Heart, lungs, and abdomen (listening)

With a stethoscope, we listen to the heart, noting rate, rhythm, and any murmurs (abnormal heart sounds). We listen to the lungs for any unusual sounds. We may also auscultate (listen to) the abdomen for gut sounds (especially in rabbits).

These findings help us pick up early heart problems, signs of respiratory disease or digestive issues before they cause visible symptoms.

5) Abdominal organs (feeling)

We feel the abdomen to check for organ size and shape (intestines, liver, spleen, bladder) and to identify signs of pain or masses. This simple step can help us get clues about any urinary issues, constipation, foreign bodies, or growths that aren’t otherwise apparent.

6) Skin and coat

A thorough review of the skin and coat can help us identify signs of skin allergies, any new lumps and help check for parasites (fleas, ticks and mites). If we find a lump, we’ll discuss whether to monitor it, sample it (often done consciously in the consultation) or remove it. For itchy pets, we’ll also talk about diet, environment, and parasite control.

7) Joints and mobility

We gently move joints to assess the range of motion and check for stiffness, swelling, or pain. Animals are very good at hiding signs of pain at home; we perform a range of exercises to fully understand an animal’s comfort levels as they can’t talk! Early arthritis is common, especially in older pets, and small changes at home, such as ramps to higher places, orthopaedic bedding and weight control, can make a big difference.

8) Tailored tests and treatments

Depending on age and risk factors, we may recommend:

  • Dental procedures if there’s significant tartar or gum disease.
  • Diet changes or nutrition plans, including weight-loss diets if needed.
  • Vaccinations tailored to your pet’s age and risk.
  • Parasite prevention plans tailored to your pet.
  • Screening tests, such as blood and urine checks, blood pressure, or a faecal analysis (see https://wooltonvets.co.uk/wellness-screening/ for more details)

How often should my pet have a health check?

  • Puppies and kittens: Every 3 to 4 weeks until vaccination courses are complete, then typically at 6 months for a developmental check.
  • Healthy adults and senior pets: We encourage checks every 6 months to pick up on any subtle changes from the previous visit. Did you know this is the equivalent of a human going for a check-up every 2 years? The good news is that all our patients have twice yearly checks included as part of their membership, so you are never far away from a peace of mind check-up.
  • Pets with chronic issues: Will be assessed individually.

Preparing for your pet’s appointment

  • Make notes about any changes you’ve noticed, such as coughing, itching, thirst, weight, mobility, litter tray habits or behaviour.
  • Make a note of any supplements your pet is on to show the vet.
  • Collect a fresh urine (<2 hours old) or faecal sample if we’ve asked for one.
  • Travel calmly. Use a secure carrier for cats, rabbits or small furries (cover with a light towel) and a well-fitting harness for dogs. Bring a favourite treat or blanket for comfort.

After the appointment

We’ll provide you with a clear plan that might involve:

  • Diet and weight recommendations, including feeding amounts and target weight if needed
  • A recap of current vaccination status, what is due and when?
  • Your pet’s parasite risk profile and the suggested treatment plan
  • Dental care advice, such as brushing your pet’s teeth, using dental chews or booking a scale and polish
  • Recommend or review any lab tests that may be of benefit or that have been carried out in the past 12 months
  • Activity and enrichment ideas to support physical and mental health

Conclusion

Regular health checks are the cornerstone of lifelong wellness. They combine a clinical history, careful observation, hands-on examination, and tailored preventive care to keep any problems at bay. A routine vet visit gives us the best chance to keep your pet happy, comfortable, and by your side for as long as possible.