Pets Depot AIAI pet wellness
All species · Guide
How often should I check my pet's health at home?
A structured check monthly for most healthy adult animals, and fortnightly for seniors or any animal with an ongoing condition. Home checks don't replace veterinary care — they catch changes between visits, which is when most problems actually begin.
What to check, area by area
Eyes: clear and bright, no discharge or cloudiness. Ears: clean, no odour, no head shaking. Teeth and gums: pink gums, no heavy tartar, no strong breath odour.
Coat and skin: no bald patches, scabs, lumps or excessive scratching. Feet and nails: pads intact, nails not overgrown.
Body condition: ribs easily felt, visible waist. Weight recorded, since trends matter more than any single reading.
Why recording beats remembering
Most health changes are gradual, and gradual changes are exactly what daily familiarity hides. A record turns "he seems a bit thinner" into a measurable trend you can show a vet.
Photographs are useful for the same reason, particularly for lumps, skin changes and body condition.
Species differences
Birds, rabbits and guinea pigs hide illness far more effectively than dogs and cats, so checks matter more and thresholds should be lower. Weekly weighing is genuinely worthwhile for small animals and birds.
For horses, monthly body condition scoring plus daily observation of appetite, droppings and gait is the practical equivalent.
What a home check cannot do
It cannot detect internal disease, and it is not a diagnosis. Bloodwork, imaging and a physical exam find things no home check will. The point of checking at home is to notice change early enough to act — the acting is still veterinary.
Check your own pet — freeSnap a few photos, get a wellness score in minutesA 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 animals, weekly for birds and small mammals where weight loss is often the earliest sign of illness.
Can a home health check replace vet visits?
No. Home checks catch changes between visits; they cannot detect internal disease and are not a diagnosis.
What should I check on my pet each month?
Eyes, ears, teeth and gums, coat and skin, feet and nails, body condition and weight — recording results so you can see trends.