Real‑life examples of routine health checkup checklist for dogs

Everyday examples of routine health checkup checklist for dogs

Let’s start with what you can actually do at home, in real life, without a vet degree. These are the best examples of simple routines you can fold into your week without turning your living room into a clinic.

Picture a Sunday evening. Your dog is flopped on the couch, half-asleep. That’s your moment. You can use that quiet time for a quick nose‑to‑tail scan. Here are real examples of what that might look like in practice.

Example of a weekly nose‑to‑tail home check

A good example of a weekly routine health checkup checklist for dogs might go like this:

You start at the head and work your way back, using your hands and eyes.

Eyes
You gently lift each eyelid and look for:

• Clear, bright eyes without cloudiness
• No yellow or green discharge
• No redness along the whites

If your dog is older, you pay extra attention to any cloudiness or bump in the eye, since conditions like cataracts and glaucoma are more common with age. The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists notes that early detection helps slow down vision loss, so this quick weekly peek is not overkill.

Ears
Next, you lift each ear flap and sniff. Yes, really. Healthy ears should have a mild, neutral smell.

Examples include:

• Soft pink skin inside the ear
• A thin layer of wax, but not thick buildup
• No black, coffee‑ground‑like debris (which can signal ear mites)
• No foul, yeasty odor

If your dog swims a lot or has floppy ears (like a Cocker Spaniel), this check becomes even more important because they’re more prone to infections.

Mouth, teeth, and gums
You gently lift your dog’s lips and check the gums and teeth.

Real examples of what you want to see:

• Gums that are pink and moist, not white, blue, or bright red
• No thick brown tartar buildup at the gum line
• No broken or loose teeth
• Breath that smells “doggy” but not rotten

You can test gum health by pressing a finger lightly on the gum. It should blanch white, then return to pink in about 1–2 seconds. This basic capillary refill test is something emergency vets use too, and you can do it at home.

Skin and coat
You run your hands slowly over your dog’s body, parting the fur in a few spots.

Good examples of healthy skin and coat:

• No bald patches or hot, inflamed areas
• No clusters of black dots (flea dirt)
• No moving specks (fleas or ticks)
• Coat feels soft or at least not brittle, with minimal dandruff

If you live in a tick‑heavy area, this weekly scan is especially important. The CDC has updated tick maps for 2024 showing that tick‑borne diseases are expanding into more regions of the U.S., so regular checks are not just for hikers anymore. See: https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/index.html

Paws and nails
You pick up each paw and look between the toes.

Examples include:

• Pads that are firm but not cracked or bleeding
• No foxtails, burrs, or pebbles stuck between toes
• Nails short enough that they don’t tap loudly on hard floors

This is also a great time to gently flex each joint and watch for flinching or stiffness.

Body condition and weight
You stand over your dog and look down: you want to see a slight waist behind the ribs. Then you run your hands over the ribs.

Healthy examples:

• You can feel the ribs easily under a thin layer of fat
• No “barrel” shape when viewed from above

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention estimated in recent years that over half of U.S. dogs are overweight or obese, and newer surveys suggest that trend is still rising into 2024. A quick weekly rib check is one of the simplest examples of routine health checkup checklist for dogs that can literally add years to their life.

Monthly examples of routine health checkup checklist for dogs

Some tasks don’t need to happen every week but are smart to do once a month. Here are real examples of what that monthly routine can include.

Example of a monthly home health log

Once a month, pick a date—say, the first Saturday—and do a slightly deeper check, plus jot notes in a notebook or phone app.

Weight and body photos
You weigh your dog if you have a scale that can handle their size (or weigh yourself with and without the dog and subtract). Then you snap a quick side and top‑down photo.

Over a few months, these photos become some of the best examples of early detection for weight gain or muscle loss. Subtle changes are easier to see in pictures than in real time.

Lump and bump check
You go back to that nose‑to‑tail scan, but this time you’re hunting for any new lumps.

Real examples of what to do:

• Note the location (e.g., “small pea‑sized lump on right side of chest, near front leg”)
• Estimate the size (pea, grape, walnut)
• Check if it feels fixed in place or moves under the skin

Not every lump is cancer, especially in older dogs, but the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recommends that any new or changing mass be checked by a vet. You can read more general pet health guidance at https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners

Heart and breathing check
When your dog is calm, you place your hand over the left side of the chest, just behind the elbow.

Examples include:

• Counting heartbeats for 15 seconds and multiplying by 4 (normal resting rates are often around 60–140 beats per minute, depending on size and age)
• Watching the chest rise and fall to count breaths (typical resting rates are about 10–35 breaths per minute)

You’re not trying to diagnose anything; you’re just getting used to what’s normal for your dog. That way, if breathing suddenly seems faster or more labored, you’ll notice.

Behavior and mobility snapshot
Once a month, you ask yourself:

• Is my dog slower to get up in the morning?
• Hesitant on stairs they used to fly up?
• Less interested in fetch or walks?

These are classic early examples of joint pain or arthritis, especially in middle‑aged and senior dogs. The American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation and other groups have been highlighting earlier arthritis care in 2024–2025, including weight management, moderate exercise, and joint‑friendly home setups (ramps, rugs, non‑slip floors).

Vet visit examples of routine health checkup checklist for dogs

Home checks are great, but they don’t replace professional care. Let’s walk through examples of what to cover at annual or semi‑annual vet visits so you can show up prepared instead of overwhelmed.

Example of an annual wellness exam checklist

Before your appointment, you review your notes and photos and bring:

• A list of any new lumps, with size and location
• Changes in appetite, thirst, urination, or stool
• Behavior changes (more anxious, more tired, more clingy)
• A list of medications, supplements, and diet (brand and amount)

At the clinic, examples of what your vet may check include:

Vitals and physical exam

• Weight and body condition score
• Temperature (normal is often around 100–102.5°F)
• Heart and lung sounds with a stethoscope
• Palpation of abdomen for pain or enlarged organs

Vaccination and parasite control review
With changing climate patterns in 2024–2025, many areas are seeing shifting risks for heartworm, ticks, and mosquitoes. Your vet may adjust your parasite prevention plan based on updated regional data. The American Heartworm Society (https://www.heartwormsociety.org) and the CDC both track these trends.

Screening tests by life stage
Here are examples of age‑based routine health checkup checklist items your vet might recommend:

• Puppies and young adults: fecal exam for parasites, basic bloodwork before spay/neuter or anesthesia, vaccine boosters, and discussions about behavior and training.
• Middle‑aged dogs (about 5–8 years, depending on breed): annual bloodwork to check liver, kidney, and blood cell counts; urinalysis; dental exam with possible cleaning.
• Senior dogs (often 8+ years): more frequent bloodwork, blood pressure checks, screening for endocrine diseases like hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease, and closer monitoring for arthritis and cognitive decline.

These are real‑world examples of how a routine health checkup checklist for dogs changes over time. A 2‑year‑old sport dog and a 12‑year‑old couch potato should not have the exact same checklist.

Best examples of tailoring a routine health checkup checklist by lifestyle

Two dogs can be the same age and still need different checklists based on how they live. Here are some of the best examples of how to adapt routine health checkups to your dog’s world.

Active hiking dog vs. indoor apartment dog

Active hiking dog
Examples of extra checklist items:

• Post‑hike paw inspection for cuts, thorns, and burns
• Tick checks after every outing, especially in wooded or grassy areas
• Monitoring for limping or soreness after long hikes
• Seasonal adjustments for heat (watching for excessive panting, bright red gums, or collapse in hot weather)

Indoor apartment dog
Examples include:

• Weight checks and portion control (less space often means fewer calories burned)
• Nail trims more often, since city dogs may walk more on soft surfaces or rugs
• Behavior checks for boredom or anxiety (chewing, barking, pacing)

Both dogs still benefit from the same core examples of routine health checkup checklist for dogs—eyes, ears, teeth, skin, weight, and behavior—but the emphasis shifts a bit.

Brachycephalic (short‑nosed) breeds

If you have a Pug, French Bulldog, English Bulldog, or similar breed, your checklist should include:

• Extra attention to breathing sounds (snoring, snorting, or pauses in breathing)
• Heat‑sensitivity monitoring in warm weather
• Regular eye checks, since their eyes are more exposed and prone to injury

These are real examples where breed‑specific risks shape your routine.

Examples include tech tools for monitoring dog health in 2024–2025

Pet health tech has exploded in the last few years, and many of the best examples of modern routine health checkup checklist for dogs now include digital tools.

Here are examples of how people are using tech in a sane, non‑obsessive way:

Activity trackers
Collar‑mounted trackers log steps, sleep, and activity. A sudden drop in activity or sleep quality can be an early example of pain, illness, or anxiety. You don’t need to stare at the app all day—just glance at weekly trends.

Smart feeders and water fountains
Some devices track how much your dog eats or drinks. A noticeable change can help you catch problems like kidney disease or diabetes earlier, which organizations like the NIH and veterinary researchers emphasize as key for better outcomes. You can read about general diabetes information at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes

Shared digital notes
Many families now use shared notes or apps to log:

• Vomiting or diarrhea episodes
• Seizures or odd behaviors
• Medication doses
• Vet recommendations

These digital logs are simple but powerful examples of how to turn random observations into a pattern your vet can actually work with.

Putting it together: real examples of a simple weekly checklist

To make this feel doable, imagine you only have 5–10 minutes, once a week. Here’s how that might look in real life, woven into normal routines.

You’re watching TV, your dog is next to you. During a commercial break, you:

• Rub their ears, peek inside, and do a quick sniff test.
• Lift the lips, glance at teeth and gums.
• Run your hands along the spine, ribs, and belly, feeling for lumps or flinching.
• Check paws and nails while giving a belly rub.
• Stand up, call your dog, and watch how easily they rise and walk over.

That’s it. Those tiny habits, repeated every week, are some of the best examples of routine health checkup checklist for dogs that actually get done—because they’re realistic.

If you want a slightly more structured example of a routine health checkup checklist for dogs, you might write it out like this in your notes:

• Head and face: eyes, nose, mouth, gums
• Ears: look, smell, gentle touch
• Skin and coat: hands‑on scan for parasites, lumps, hot spots
• Paws and nails: between toes, pads, nail length
• Mobility and behavior: getting up, walking, stairs, play
• Weight and shape: feel ribs, check waist

You can adjust this over time as you and your vet learn what your particular dog needs.

FAQ: real‑world questions about examples of routine health checkup checklist for dogs

Q1: Can you give quick examples of things I should check every week?
Yes. Simple weekly examples include: eye clarity, ear smell and cleanliness, gum color, signs of bad breath, skin and coat condition, presence of fleas or ticks, nail length, and how easily your dog gets up and moves around.

Q2: What is one example of a sign I should call the vet about right away?
Examples include sudden trouble breathing, gums that turn white or blue, collapse, repeated vomiting, a bloated tight belly, or a seizure. These are emergencies; don’t wait for them to “pass.”

Q3: How often should I do a full routine health checkup at home?
A realistic pattern is a quick check weekly and a slightly deeper check monthly. Those are very practical examples of routine health checkup checklist for dogs that most people can stick with.

Q4: Do senior dogs need different examples of health checkup items?
Yes. For seniors, important examples include more frequent weight checks, watching for confusion or nighttime restlessness, monitoring for bathroom accidents, checking for stiffness or limping, and talking with your vet about bloodwork at least once a year, often twice.

Q5: Where can I learn more about healthy habits for my dog?
Authoritative examples of reliable resources include:

• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): general pet health guidance – https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners
• CDC: parasite and tick information – https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/index.html
• NIH and NIDDK for general information on conditions like diabetes – https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes

Use these examples of routine health checkup checklist for dogs as a starting point, then personalize them with your vet so they fit your dog’s age, lifestyle, and quirks. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s paying just enough attention, regularly enough, to catch problems early and keep your dog feeling like themselves.