Pet Physical Exam Checklist

Pet Physical Exam Checklist: Check Your Dog or Cat at Home

By Dr Duncan Houston

🔎 Quick Answer

A proper at-home pet check includes observing behaviour, checking eyes, ears, gums, breathing, abdomen, hydration, heart rate, and temperature. Doing this regularly helps you spot early signs of illness before they become serious.

As a veterinarian, I can tell you most emergencies don’t start suddenly… they start with small changes owners didn’t realise were important.

🧠 Why This Matters

Pets are very good at hiding illness. By the time obvious symptoms appear, the problem is often already advanced.

A simple weekly check can help you:

• Catch illness earlier

• Monitor ongoing conditions

• Avoid emergency situations

• Feel more confident as an owner

Think of this as your 2-minute at-home health scan. 🐾

👀 Step 1: Observe from Afar

Before touching your pet, watch them calmly:

• Posture: Relaxed or hunched?

• Breathing: Smooth or laboured?

• Movement: Normal or stiff/limping?

• Behaviour: Bright or withdrawn?

💡 If something feels “off,” trust that instinct. Owners are usually right.

👃 Nose

Normal:

• Slightly moist

• Clean, no discharge

Abnormal:

• Thick yellow/green discharge

• Crusting or bleeding

• Persistent dryness with lethargy

⚠️ A dry nose alone is not always a problem, but combined with other signs it can be.

🐾 Skin & Coat

Normal:

• Smooth, shiny coat

• No strong odour

Abnormal:

• Redness, scabs, sores

• Hair loss or dandruff

• Greasy or smelly skin

💡 Skin issues are often linked to allergies, parasites, or infections.

👁️ Eyes

Normal:

• Clear and bright

• Equal pupils

Abnormal:

• Redness or cloudiness

• Yellow tint (can indicate liver issues)

• Discharge or squinting

• Unequal pupils

🚨 Sudden eye changes should always be taken seriously.

👂 Ears

Normal:

• Clean, light pink

• No strong smell

Abnormal:

• Brown/black discharge

• Bad odour

• Pain, swelling, or head shaking

💡 Chronic ear issues are commonly linked to allergies.

🦷 Mouth & Gums

Normal:

• Pink gums

• White teeth

• Neutral smell

Abnormal:

• Pale, red, blue, or yellow gums

• Bleeding or heavy tartar

• Strong odour

💡 Capillary refill test:
Press gums → release → colour returns in 1–2 seconds
Slower = possible circulation or shock issue

🫁 Breathing & Chest

Normal:

• Quiet, relaxed breathing

Abnormal:

• Fast breathing at rest

• Noise (wheezing, snoring sounds)

• Belly effort or open-mouth breathing (especially in cats 🚨)

📊 Normal resting rates:

• Dogs: ~10–30 breaths/min

• Cats: 15–60 breaths/min

🐕 Abdomen (Tummy)

Normal:

• Soft and non-painful

Abnormal:

• Hard, bloated, or tense

• Pain when touched

• Visible swelling or lumps

🚨 A swollen, painful abdomen can be life-threatening and needs urgent care.

💧 Skin Turgor Test (Hydration)

Gently lift the skin over the back:

• Normal: Snaps back quickly

• Abnormal: Slow return = dehydration

💡 This is especially important if your pet has vomiting or diarrhoea.

❤️ Pulse & Heart Rate

Feel the inside of the back leg for the femoral pulse.

• Dogs: 60–160 bpm

• Cats: 100–160 bpm

Abnormal:

• Very fast or slow

• Weak or irregular

💡 Large dogs tend to have slower heart rates than small dogs.

🌡️ Temperature

Use a lubricated digital rectal thermometer:

• Normal: 38.3°C–39.2°C

Abnormal:

• Below 37.8°C

• Above 39.5°C

🚨 Fever or low temperature can both indicate serious illness.

📝 Create Your Pet’s Baseline

Track your pet’s normal values:

• Weight

• Heart rate

• Breathing rate

• Temperature

• Gum colour

• Energy levels

💡 The goal isn’t perfection, it’s pattern recognition.

⚠️ When to Seek Immediate Help

• Difficulty breathing

• Collapse or weakness

• Bloated or painful abdomen

• Persistent vomiting or diarrhoea

• Blood from any opening

• Sudden behaviour change

🚨 If you’re unsure, it’s always safer to act early.

🧠 Final Thoughts

Most owners only check their pet when something is obviously wrong.

The real advantage comes from checking when everything seems normal. That’s how you catch problems early.

A simple routine like this can genuinely extend and improve your pet’s life.

❓ FAQ

How long does this check take?

About 2–5 minutes once you get used to it.

What if my pet won’t cooperate?

Start slow, use treats, and build positive associations over time.

Do I need to do every step every time?

No. Even checking a few key areas regularly is valuable.

📲 Not Sure What You’re Seeing?

If something doesn’t feel right, getting guidance early can make all the difference.

The ASK A VET™ app lets you track your pet’s health, store records, and ask questions when you’re unsure. It’s there to support better decisions without the stress of guessing.