Why Does My Pet Need an Exam if They Seem Fine?

As pet owners, our number one goal is for our furry friends to stay healthy and live long, happy lives by our side. That’s why we recommend regular veterinary wellness exams to ensure that they stay in tip-top shape! For young pets (dogs and cats under 9 years old—unless you have a giant breed dog, which is under 7 years old), an annual exam is ideal. Senior pets (those over 9 years old) should have bi-annual checkups. But you may wonder, if my pet seems fine, why do they need an exam?

Catching Problems Early

The truth is, many pets are masters at hiding pain and illness. It’s an instinctual behavior—by masking symptoms, they protect themselves from appearing vulnerable to predators. Unfortunately, this often means we don’t know something’s wrong until the problem has advanced. But catching health issues early can make a huge difference in treatment success. Just like the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

What Can a Wellness Exam Do?

Veterinarians are trained to notice what your pet can’t tell us. During a thorough physical exam, we might detect subtle signs of issues like arthritis, early hip dysplasia, infections (like ear infections or flea infestations), or even dental disease. Many of these conditions are manageable or treatable when caught early. Early intervention helps ensure a quicker, more effective treatment plan, and can even save your pet from unnecessary pain or discomfort.

Why More Frequent Exams for Senior Pets?

As pets age, they face many of the same issues that humans do: arthritis, dementia, heart or kidney problems, and more. Senior pets age much faster than we do, so they require more frequent checkups—ideally twice a year. By identifying issues early, we can often improve your pet’s quality of life with treatment options like pain relief or cognitive support for pets with dementia. My heart leaps when I can restore a senior pet’s range of motion through an orthopedic exam, but there are times when we have to work harder to manage their condition. Thankfully, we now have more treatment options than ever before!

Looking Toward the Future

My dream is to see pets only for wellness exams, finding zero or minor issues that can be easily addressed. While we may never reach that ideal, I’m honored to help so many pets live longer, healthier lives. Thanks to modern veterinary care, many pets are living longer and better lives than ever before—and I’m thrilled to be a part of that journey.