Ultimate Guide to a Head-to-Toe Health Check for Your Pet

Ultimate Guide to a Head-to-Toe Health Check for Your Pet

 Ultimate Guide to a Head-to-Toe Health Check for Your Pet

One of the toughest parts of being a pet parent is being unable to hear from your fur baby of any physical issues they may be facing. Oftentimes we worry; is our pet comfortable? Did they have enough water? If they were sick, would we be able to tell if something was wrong? 

While our pets may not be able to outright talk to us about their overall health, many things can be gleaned by taking a good look at them, establishing a baseline for what's normal, and continuing with follow up checks routinely to notice any bodily changes. Ensuring your pet's health requires regular head-to-toe health checks so you spot potential issues early. 


How to conduct a head-to-toe health check:

We recommend having a comfortable spot for your pet to sit or lie down, their favorite treats, a comb, and a flashlight for harder to see places! 

Start with a visual inspection: 

  • Check their eyes for clarity and any redness
  • Check for tear stains 
  • Ensure their ears are clean (and odor-free.)
  • Examine the mouth; healthy gums should be pink, and teeth should be free of tartar. 
  • Take a look at the health of their coat; does it appear shiny and lush, or dull? 
  • Feel and scan their skin; is it dry and flaky, or oily, bumpy, rashy? Any yeasty scent?
  • Are their nails a comfortable length? (Do they click on the floor?)
  • Take a look at your pup or kitty on a whole. Do they appear to be exhibiting any physical signs of discomfort or general change in usual behavior?

Next, perform a touch test. Starting from your pet's head and ending at their tail, use your hands and fingers to gently massage your pet's body, checking for lumps, skin tags, bug bites, or other abnormalities that may be hidden by fur. 

  • Feel their body for lumps or unusual weight loss. 
  • Assess their coat for smoothness and absence of fleas, which can be done using a flea comb.
  • Feel paw pads to check for excessive wear.
  • Bend your pet’s legs to ensure they are comfortable bending and moving.

Always take into account your pet’s overall activity levels. Paying attention to their usual energy levels, habits and behaviors can help you be prepared to identify any issues and anomalies. Also notable is their appetite, pay attention to significant  increases or decreases in appetite (for example, if your pet usually cleans their bowl but has started to only eat a few bites, this could be an indication that something is amiss.)


Finally, ensure that there are not any extreme odors coming from your pet. 

  • A fishy smell could signal an anal gland issue 
  • bad breath could indicate it's time for a tooth cleaning or a more serious gum issue
  • an odor coming from the ears could mean an infection, yeast, or other excess debris.
Paying attention to what your pet typically smells like (or doesn't smell like) will make it easier to identify any odd scents. 

What to do if you do find something concerning?

If you notice something that troubles you, consult your veterinarian (find an integrative or holistic veterinarian practitioner at ahvma.org). Getting an opinion from your trusted vet is crucial to determining next steps if there is a problem, or just for providing you with peace of mind! Either way, bringing your concerns to a professional will help you plan a course of action. 

Regular head-to-toe checks will not only help keep your pet healthy, but also deepen your bond with them! Delve into your fur baby’s well-being today for a happier, healthier life together.

Looking for ways to increase your fur baby's health span?  Our proactive 'Healthy Pet' Bundle for all Dogs + Cats includes 3 wellness supplement blends for your fur kiddo. These superfood + functional mushroom powders and omega-3 oil topper are to boost and maintain a strong immune system, a balanced gut microbiome, and support hip and joint health for long term function and support.


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