All species · Guide

What is the best way to track my pet's health over time?

Record the same things, the same way, at regular intervals — weight, body condition, and photographs of key areas, monthly for most animals and fortnightly for seniors. The value is in the trend. A single reading tells you almost nothing; six months of readings tells you a great deal.

Why trends beat snapshots

Almost everything that matters in pet health is a change from that animal's own normal, not a deviation from a population average. A 22 lb dog means nothing on its own. A dog that was 24 lb three months ago means something.

Vets think in trends too. Arriving with a record of weight and observations over time makes an appointment substantially more productive than arriving with an impression.

What to record

Weight, on the same scale, at the same time of day. Body condition — ribs, waist, belly tuck. Photographs of eyes, teeth and gums, ears, coat and feet.

Appetite and water intake, at least roughly. Increased thirst is one of the most useful early signals across species and one of the easiest to miss.

Anything unusual, dated. "Limping after walks, started around the 12th" is worth far more than remembering it vaguely later.

Photographs are the underrated part

Skin lumps, gum colour, coat condition and body shape all change too slowly to notice day to day. Photographs taken in similar lighting from similar angles make those changes obvious in retrospect.

This is genuinely how gradual conditions get caught — not by noticing on the day, but by comparing across months.

How often, by species

Monthly for healthy adult dogs and cats. Fortnightly for seniors or animals with ongoing conditions. Weekly weighing for birds and small mammals, where weight loss often precedes any behavioural sign.

For horses, monthly body condition scoring plus daily observation of appetite, droppings and movement.

Check your own pet — freeSnap a few photos, get a wellness score in minutes

A wellness check, not a diagnosis — and never a replacement for your vet. If something seems wrong with your animal, see a veterinarian.

Common questions

How often should I weigh my pet?

Monthly for most dogs and cats; weekly for birds and small mammals where weight loss is often the first sign of illness.

What should I track about my pet's health?

Weight, body condition, photographs of eyes, teeth, ears, coat and feet, plus appetite and water intake.

Why does tracking pet health over time matter?

Because most meaningful changes are gradual. Trends reveal what daily familiarity hides, and vets can act on trends more effectively than impressions.