It’s National Pet Wellness Month, a great reminder that a routine veterinary checkup does more than ensure your pet is healthy today. It helps you protect their health for the months and years ahead.

Your dog still races to the door when you grab the leash. Your cat hasn’t missed a meal or abandoned their favorite sunny windowsill. Their coat looks good, their energy seems normal, and life feels pretty much as it should.

So, is a trip to the veterinarian really necessary?

Absolutely. Even pets that appear perfectly healthy can develop problems that aren’t easy to spot at home. Dogs and cats are also remarkably good at hiding discomfort, which means a subtle change in behavior may be one of the first signs something is wrong.

That’s where a pet wellness exam comes in. Unlike a veterinary visit prompted by illness or injury, a wellness checkup focuses on prevention, early detection, and helping your pet maintain a good quality of life.

In recognition of National Pet Wellness Month, let’s walk through what happens during a routine dog wellness exam or cat wellness exam, how often your pet needs one, and how you can support their wellbeing between visits.

What Is a Pet Wellness Exam?

A pet wellness exam is a preventive veterinary appointment that evaluates your pet’s overall health, identifies potential concerns, and establishes a plan for ongoing care.

Think of it as a health check-in rather than a search for something wrong. Your veterinarian assesses your pet’s physical condition, reviews their medical history, discusses their daily habits, and recommends preventive care for pets based on their individual needs.

According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), all pets should receive a veterinary examination at least once a year. Some pets benefit from more frequent appointments, depending on their age, breed, lifestyle, and health.

A typical pet wellness check may include:

• A comprehensive physical examination.
• Weight and body condition assessment.
• Dental health, skin, coat, eye, and ear evaluations.
• Heart, lung, joint, and mobility checks.
• Nutrition and behavior discussions.
• Vaccination and parasite prevention reviews.
• Bloodwork, urine tests, or other diagnostics when appropriate.

Not every pet needs every test at every appointment. Your veterinarian will tailor recommendations to your pet’s circumstances.

What Does a Veterinarian Check During a Wellness Exam?

A thorough physical examination looks at your pet as a whole, from nose to tail. Here’s what your veterinarian typically evaluates and why each part matters.

1. Weight and Body Condition

Your pet’s weight is more than a number on the scale. It can provide important clues about their nutritional status and overall health.

Your veterinarian will weigh your pet and may assign a body condition score (BCS) to evaluate whether they are underweight, at an ideal weight, overweight, or obese. They may also assess muscle condition, which can reveal changes that a scale alone might miss.

Both weight gain and unexplained weight loss deserve attention. Excess weight can increase stress on joints and contribute to health complications, while unexpected weight loss may signal an underlying problem.

Your veterinarian may ask how much you feed your pet, how often you offer treats, and how much exercise they get.

What you can do at home: Measure meals instead of guessing portions, monitor treats, and keep track of noticeable weight changes. Ask your veterinarian to help establish an appropriate target weight and feeding plan.

2. Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Mouth

Those little details you might overlook at home can offer useful information during an exam.

Your veterinarian will look for changes such as eye discharge, redness, cloudiness, ear odor, inflammation, unusual nasal discharge, or other signs of irritation.

Ear problems are especially relevant for dogs with floppy ears or pets prone to allergies. Cats may also develop ear inflammation or other conditions that aren’t immediately obvious.

The veterinarian may examine your pet’s mouth and throat, too, checking for abnormalities that could affect eating, breathing, or swallowing.

What you can do at home: Pay attention to persistent squinting, head shaking, pawing at the face, unusual discharge, or changes in appetite. Mention these observations at your appointment rather than assuming they’re normal aging.

3. Teeth and Gums

Dental health is a critical part of overall wellness, yet it can be easy to overlook until your pet develops bad breath or difficulty eating.

During a routine exam, your veterinarian will inspect the visible teeth and gums for plaque, tartar, redness, swelling, broken teeth, and other signs of oral disease.

A conscious oral examination has limitations. Some problems occur below the gumline and may require dental X-rays and a more comprehensive evaluation under anesthesia.

A routine pet wellness exam also isn’t the same as a professional dental cleaning. If your veterinarian identifies a concern, they may recommend a separate dental procedure.

What you can do at home: Ask about toothbrushing, appropriate dental products, and how often your pet may need professional dental care. Don’t dismiss persistent bad breath as simply part of having a dog or cat.

4. Skin and Coat

A healthy coat can tell you a lot about your pet’s wellbeing. During the exam, your veterinarian will look for redness, hair loss, dry or flaky skin, lumps, wounds, parasites, and other abnormalities.

Changes in the skin and coat can have several causes, including allergies, external parasites, infections, nutritional issues, or underlying disease.

Your veterinarian may also ask about scratching, licking, chewing, shedding, or changes in grooming habits.

What you can do at home: Regularly check your pet’s skin while brushing them. Take note of persistent itching, new lumps, unusual odors, or areas of thinning hair.

5. Heart and Lungs

Your veterinarian will use a stethoscope to listen to your pet’s heart and lungs and check for abnormalities in heart rhythm, heart sounds, and breathing.

They may also assess your pet’s pulse and respiratory pattern. Depending on your pet’s history and examination findings, additional tests may be appropriate.

Some heart and respiratory conditions develop gradually. A pet may continue playing and eating normally even when an underlying problem is beginning to emerge.

What you can do at home: Report coughing, unusual panting, reduced exercise tolerance, fainting, or changes in breathing. Difficulty breathing, collapse, or other severe symptoms warrant urgent veterinary attention rather than waiting for a routine appointment.

6. Joints, Mobility, and Overall Physical Condition

Your pet’s ability to move comfortably affects nearly every part of daily life, from climbing stairs to jumping onto the couch.

During the physical exam, your veterinarian may assess posture, gait, joint movement, muscle condition, and signs of pain or stiffness. They may also feel the abdomen and check for unusual masses or other abnormalities.

Age, breed, activity level, and previous injuries can all influence mobility. A dog that takes longer to stand up or a cat that stops jumping onto a favorite chair may be experiencing discomfort rather than simply slowing down.

What you can do at home: Mention any changes in walking, running, jumping, climbing, or playing. Short videos of unusual movement can help your veterinarian understand what happens outside the clinic.

What Else Happens During a Pet Wellness Check?

The physical exam is only part of the visit. Preventive care also considers your pet’s lifestyle, medical history, nutrition, and exposure to potential health risks.

7. Nutrition and Diet Assessment

Your veterinarian will likely ask what your pet eats, how much they receive, how often they eat, and whether you give treats, supplements, or table scraps.

These questions help determine whether your pet’s diet supports their age, activity level, body condition, and health needs.

Puppies and kittens have different nutritional requirements from adult pets. Older animals may need adjustments to maintain muscle, manage weight, or accommodate certain medical conditions.

Your veterinarian can help you evaluate whether your pet’s current food provides complete and balanced nutrition for their life stage.

For more guidance, explore Wellness Pet’s nutrition and wellbeing resources, which explain five areas of wellbeing that nutrition can help support: sustained energy, healthy digestion, healthy skin and coat, immune health, and healthy teeth and bones.

8. Vaccinations and Preventive Care

Vaccines help protect pets against infectious diseases, but the right schedule depends on the animal.

Your veterinarian will review vaccination history, age, lifestyle, geographic location, and exposure risks to determine which vaccines are appropriate and when boosters are due.

Dogs that visit boarding facilities, dog parks, or grooming salons may have different exposure risks from dogs that spend most of their time at home. Cats that go outdoors may face different risks from strictly indoor cats.

Your veterinarian may also discuss identification, reproductive health, travel, grooming, and other preventive measures.

9. Flea, Tick, Heartworm, and Intestinal Parasite Prevention

Parasite prevention is another important part of routine veterinary care.

Depending on where you live and how your pet spends time outdoors, your veterinarian may recommend protection against fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites.

Recommendations can include preventive medication, heartworm testing, fecal testing, or other screening based on your pet’s risk factors.

Even indoor pets can face certain parasite risks, so don’t assume that staying inside eliminates the need for a prevention plan.

Ask your veterinarian which products are appropriate for your pet’s species, age, weight, and health status. Never mix medications among your pets. Some products formulated for dogs can be highly toxic to cats.

10. Bloodwork and Other Diagnostic Tests

Does every pet need bloodwork during a wellness exam? Not necessarily.

Your veterinarian may recommend blood tests, urine testing, fecal analysis, heartworm testing, or other diagnostics based on your pet’s age, medical history, risk factors, and examination findings.

These tests can reveal changes that aren’t apparent during a physical examination. Depending on the test, they may help evaluate organ function, blood cell counts, glucose levels, urinary health, or evidence of certain infections and parasites.

For senior pets, screening becomes particularly important because age-related conditions may develop before obvious symptoms appear. The AAHA Senior Care Guidelines outline diagnostic considerations for older dogs and cats, including bloodwork, urinalysis, and parasite testing.

Your veterinarian should explain why a test is recommended, what it can detect, and how the results may influence your pet’s care.

11. Behavior and Lifestyle Questions

A pet wellness exam is also an opportunity to discuss changes you have noticed at home.

Your veterinarian may ask about appetite, thirst, sleep, activity, bathroom habits, anxiety, aggression, vocalization, and interactions with other animals.

For cats, changes in litter box habits or grooming can be especially useful clues. For dogs, new destructive behavior, restlessness, or reluctance to exercise may deserve a closer look.

These changes aren’t always behavioral problems. Pain, illness, stress, and environmental factors can all influence how pets act.

Don’t worry about bringing up something that seems minor. Your observations help your veterinarian build a more complete picture of your pet’s health.

How Often Should Dogs and Cats Have a Wellness Exam?

The right schedule depends on your pet’s age, health, and lifestyle. Annual examinations are a baseline for healthy pets, but younger animals and seniors often need more frequent attention.

The AAHA canine life-stage guidance recommends regular preventive visits, with annual or twice-yearly examinations appropriate for many healthy adult dogs. The AAHA/AAFP feline life-stage guidelines recommend at least annual examinations for cats and visits at least every six months for senior cats.

Pet Wellness Exam Frequency at a Glance

Life stage	Typical veterinary schedule	Main focus
Puppies and kittens	Every 3–4 weeks during early vaccination and development, as directed by your veterinarian	Vaccines, growth, nutrition, development
Healthy adult dogs	At least annually; some benefit from visits every 6 months	Preventive care, weight, dental health
Healthy adult cats	At least annually; some benefit from visits every 6 months	Weight, dental health, behavior, screening
Senior dogs	Generally every 6 months	Mobility, chronic disease, age-related changes
Senior cats	At least every 6 months	Kidney health, thyroid concerns, dental health, mobility

These are general guidelines, not a substitute for an individualized care plan. Puppies, kittens, pets with chronic conditions, and animals with new symptoms may need different schedules.

One important distinction: A wellness exam is designed for preventive care. If your pet develops symptoms between appointments, contact your veterinarian rather than waiting for the next annual checkup.

Your Pet Wellness Exam Checklist: How to Prepare

A little preparation can make your next veterinary visit more productive. You don’t need to arrive with a detailed medical report, but a few useful details can help your veterinarian make better recommendations.

Use this checklist before your appointment.

• Bring your pet’s current medication and supplement list.
• Confirm vaccination records and any previous test results are available.
• Know your pet’s current food, approximate daily portions, and treat habits.
• Note changes in appetite, thirst, weight, energy, or bathroom habits.
• Write down any behavioral changes, unusual symptoms, or questions.
• Bring photos or videos of symptoms or changes in mobility when helpful.
• Ask whether a stool sample or fasting is needed for planned tests.
• Use a secure leash or carrier, and tell the clinic if your pet becomes anxious during visits.

For cats, getting the carrier out well before appointment day and making it a familiar, comfortable space can help reduce stress. For dogs, short, positive practice sessions with handling and travel may make future visits easier.

Questions to Ask Your Veterinarian

Your appointment is a conversation, not just an examination. Make the most of it by asking questions specific to your pet.

Consider these:

1. Is my pet at a healthy weight? What body condition score should we aim for?
2. Is my pet’s current food appropriate? Should portions change as their age or activity level changes?
3. Which vaccinations and parasite preventives are recommended? How often do they need to be updated?
4. Does my pet need bloodwork or other screening tests? What are the benefits and costs?
5. Are there any early signs of dental disease or mobility problems?
6. How often should my pet return for a wellness exam?
7. What changes at home should prompt an earlier appointment?

If your pet is getting older, ask which age-related conditions are most relevant to their breed and medical history. If you have a puppy or kitten, ask about nutrition, socialization, behavior, and developmental milestones.

How Nutrition Supports Pet Wellbeing Between Veterinary Visits

Your veterinarian helps assess your pet’s health during scheduled appointments. What happens between those visits matters just as much.

Daily habits, including appropriate nutrition, exercise, dental care, and parasite prevention, help support your pet’s overall wellbeing. Food is one of the most consistent ways you influence their health, which makes choosing an appropriate diet an important part of responsible pet care.

At Wellness Pet, we think about pet wellbeing holistically. Think about the following wellbeing indicators:

Sign of wellbeing	What it means for your pet
Sustained energy	Balanced nutrition provides energy for everyday activity and play.
Healthy digestion	Appropriate fiber and other dietary components support digestive health.
Healthy skin and coat	Essential fatty acids and other nutrients help maintain skin and coat condition.
Immune health	Essential nutrients and antioxidants support normal immune function.
Healthy teeth and bones	Balanced minerals support healthy bones and teeth.

These five areas offer a useful way to think about everyday wellbeing. They also connect naturally to what your veterinarian evaluates during a wellness visit.

For example, changes in energy may warrant a discussion about activity, nutrition, or underlying health concerns. Digestive changes can provide clues about food tolerance or illness. Skin and coat changes may lead to a closer look at allergies, parasites, or nutritional adequacy.

Good nutrition supports health, but it doesn’t replace veterinary care. Even pets eating an appropriate, complete and balanced diet still need regular examinations, dental care, vaccinations when indicated, and individualized preventive screening.

Explore Wellness dog food and Wellness cat food to learn more about nutritional support for dogs and cats.

A Healthier Future Starts With Routine Care

A pet wellness exam may seem like an ordinary appointment, but it serves an important purpose: helping you understand your pet’s health today and make informed decisions about tomorrow.

Regular veterinarian checkups give your doctor opportunities to establish health baselines, identify subtle changes, review preventive care, and adjust recommendations as your pet grows older. They also give you a chance to ask questions and address concerns before they become more difficult to manage.

This National Pet Wellness Month, take a moment to check when your pet last visited the veterinarian. If an appointment is overdue, schedule one. If your pet is already up to date, use the opportunity to review their nutrition, daily habits, and preventive care plan.

Here’s to more healthy years, more happy moments, and more time together.