How can you prepare for your dog's checkup?
A good checkup starts with a little planning. You don’t need to do much, just a few simple steps:
- Practice gentle handling of your dog: Touch their paws, look at their teeth, and check their ears at home so they get used to being examined.
- Prepare notes and questions: Bring notes and any questions you have about any new behaviors, appetite changes, coughing, limping, skin issues, or bathroom problems. Videos are a great way to help your vet see behaviors that your dog may not demonstrate during the visit.
- Gather your dog’s health information: Write down which food and the amount your dog eats each day. Bring information about any medicine or supplements your dog takes. If you’re visiting a new practice, bring vaccine and medical records.
- Ask whether you should bring a stool sample: Many vet practices like having a fresh stool (poop) sample to check for intestinal worms, so ask ahead of time if one is needed. Your vet's office can provide tips on how to collect it.
- Bring treats and a toy: Help your dog stay calm by bringing a familiar blanket or toy. Celebrate your dog with praise and treats after the visit to build positive connections.
- Confirm your appointment and plan ahead: If getting your dog from the car is difficult, the practice can help—just give them a quick call. If your dog needs pre-visit medication, be sure to give it as directed.
What happens during your dog’s routine exam?
While every veterinary practice is slightly different, many routine exams follow similar steps.
Most visits take 15–60 minutes, depending on the number of questions or any tests recommended. The flow of the appointment may vary from practice to practice, but keeping these basic steps in mind can allow you to stay relaxed and focused on sharing helpful information.
Step 1: Checking in and gathering basic history
A veterinary team member will start by asking you questions about your dog’s daily life, any recent concerns, and routines. This information is very important because you know your dog best. Your answers help your vet spot patterns, understand their unique needs, and focus on areas that may need extra attention during the exam.
They may ask about:
- Medications or supplements
- Eating, drinking, and bathroom habits
- Exercise and activity
- Time with other dogs or people
- Behavior changes like whining, pacing, or hiding
- Sleep patterns
- Recent travel
- Anything new you’re worried about, like scratching, coughing, limping, anxiety, or stool changes
Sharing these details helps create a complete picture of your dog’s health and ensures the rest of the exam is tailored to their specific needs. Honest answers help your vet give advice that fits your dog’s real lifestyle.
Step 2: Taking weight, vitals, and health measurements
Next, your dog’s basic health numbers are checked. These "vital signs" can help establish what's normal for your dog or find early red flags you might not notice at home.
The team usually checks:
- Weight and body condition (your dog’s overall shape and fat/muscle balance indicate if they are overweight, underweight, or at a healthy weight)
- Temperature
- Heart rate
- Breathing rate
Together, these measurements provide important information that helps track your dog’s health over time and spot potential issues early.
Step 3: Assessing your dog’s movement
Many vets like to watch how your dog walks and stands. During the exam, these clues will help your vet see stiff joints, leg pain, and other early signs of discomfort.
They look at how your dog:
- Steps on and off the weighing scales
- Walks across the room
- Sits, stands, or turns
During this part of the exam, sharing any videos you have of your dog's typical movements could be a helpful addition.
Step 4: Doing a nose‑to‑tail physical exam
Your vet will also check your dog’s whole body from head to tail, though not necessarily in this order.
Eyes
Your vet will check your dog’s eyes for redness, cloudiness, discharge, or excessive tears. They’ll also look at the pupils, eyelids, and the surface of the eye to check for signs of infection, injury, dryness, or age-related changes like cataracts.
Ears
Your dog’s ears are checked for odor, redness, swelling, discharge, or signs of pain when touched. Your vet may gently look inside the ear canal to search for wax buildup and inflammation.
Ear issues are fairly common in dogs, and they are especially common in those with allergies or floppy ears. Finding problems early can help prevent discomfort and chronic infections.
Mouth and teeth
Not all dogs tolerate a full oral exam, especially if they have areas of discomfort or dental disease, so your vet will proceed slowly to make the check as comfortable as possible. If they can, your vet will examine your dog’s mouth overall, including their gums, teeth, tongue, for pain, swelling, bad breath, tartar buildup, broken teeth, or infection.
Dental problems can be common in dogs and can affect their overall health. Observing how your dog reacts—whether they resist, drool, or seem sensitive—also gives your vet important clues about oral pain that might not be obvious at home.
Nose
A healthy nose can be wet, dry, warm, or cold. What matters most is that there’s no unusual mucus, sores, or pain. Your dog’s nose will be checked for crusting, discharge, bleeding, or swelling.
Skin and coat
Your vet will check your dog’s skin and coat for overall health. They’ll look for signs of fleas, ticks, or mites, as well as redness, bumps, hair loss, dandruff, or unusual odors. The coat’s condition—shiny, dull, patchy, or greasy—also gives clues about nutrition and overall health.
Heart and lungs
Using a stethoscope, your vet will listen to your dog’s heart and lungs. They’ll check the heart rate and rhythm and listen for heart murmurs or breathing changes.
Belly (abdomen)
Your vet will gently feel your dog’s stomach area to check for organ size, pain, and any unusual masses.
Muscles, joints, and paws
Your vet will gently move your dog's joints and feel the muscles to check for stiffness, swelling, or signs of early arthritis. Paw pads and nails are also checked.
Reproductive system
For male dogs, your vet may check the testicles for size, firmness, or pain. For female dogs, your vet may check the vulva for redness or discharge.
Rectal exam
For senior dogs—or if there are certain concerns in younger dogs—your vet may do a rectal exam. They will check for anal gland problems, tumors, or prostate issues in male dogs. Not every dog needs this exam, but it can be really helpful for older dogs as well as dogs showing certain symptoms like clogged anal glands or foul-smelling wounds.
Step 5: Conducting routine tests and sample collection
A physical exam tells part of the story, but not all of it. Many pet health problems start before you can see them. That’s why vets will typically recommend routine blood work and screening tests (also called “wellness testing”) to check and monitor your dog’s internal health.
These tests check for health conditions before your dog shows obvious signs of illness. They can help catch potential problems early, monitor ongoing health, and guide preventive (proactive) care. Tests may involve drawing blood during the visit or collecting samples at home.
Common routine tests include:
Routine blood work
Even if your dog seems healthy, blood tests provide a deeper look at their internal health and can help catch issues before they cause noticeable symptoms.
- Complete blood count (CBC): looks for infection, inflammation, anemia (low blood count), and more
- Chemistry panel: checks kidney, liver, and other organ functions
Cancer screening
As dogs get older, or if they belong to breeds with a higher cancer risk, your vet may recommend cancer screening to detect signals of cancer early, before there are signs. For one of the most common cancers in dogs, lymphoma, screening could be done with a simple blood test.
Urine test
Urine (pee) tests may catch kidney problems, urinary infections, and diabetes. Since getting a urine sample at home isn’t always easy, your vet can help plan the best way to collect one before or during your appointment.
Stool test
A poop test can check for parasites like intestinal worms, even ones you can’t see. It’s a great idea to bring a small stool (poop) sample to the appointment. Ask your veterinary practice the best way to collect and bring in the sample.
Screening for diseases spread by ticks and mosquitoes
Certain blood tests can help detect harmful diseases spread by ticks and mosquitoes, like heartworm and Lyme disease. These tests may detect exposure to these infections early—even before your pet shows any signs—so you and your vet can take action sooner.
If anything looks unusual with any of your dog's results, your vet may recommend further testing for a closer look.
Step 6: Reviewing results, recommendations, and next steps
At the end of the visit, your vet will:
- Summarize findings: They’ll explain what they found during the exam and what it means. You can ask questions if there's anything you're unsure about.
- Test results: Some results are available while you’re still in the appointment, while others may take a few days. Your vet will let you know when the test results will be ready.
- Follow-ups: Your vet will advise when they would like to see your pet next and make a plan to keep an eye on any concerns.
- Treatment plan: They may suggest changes to food, weight, exercise, or medicine.
Conclusion: Each step helps build a clearer picture.
Every checkup is a chance to get more clarity about your dog’s health, catch issues early, and strengthen your bond with your veterinary practice. From your vet’s questions to the nose‑to‑tail exam to any recommended routine tests, it all helps create a clearer picture of your dog’s health.
By staying proactive and partnering with your vet, you’re taking meaningful steps to support your dog’s well‑being now and in the future. Schedule your next visit and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re doing the best for your dog.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about this topic
Yes, blood work is generally recommended every year, even if a dog seems healthy. These tests check for infections, like heartworm and diseases carried by ticks, and give a clear look at internal organs like the liver, kidneys, and blood cells. A more complete picture of your pet’s health from the inside helps catch potential issues early, before there are signs. This helps you and your vet address concerns earlier and keep your dog feeling their best. Senior dogs may need tests more often.
Tell your vet practice ahead of time so the veterinary team knows what to expect when they meet your dog. Many vets use low-stress handling or will have suggestions on how to keep your dog calm. Some dogs may need calming help or medicine before the visit—your vet can offer advice.
Some blood tests require your dog to skip food for a short time. Your vet's office will tell you if this is needed.
The cost of a routine checkup for a dog can vary. It depends on the veterinary practice, your dog’s age and health, and what services are included in the visit. An appointment may include a physical exam, vaccines, and preventive care like wellness screening tests. Planning for regular visits and preventive care each year can help you budget for these expenses and help you manage your dog’s health over time.
