You know your pet better than anyone. A short, calm check once a week makes it easier to spot something new while it's still small.
What to look at
- Eyes: bright and clear, without redness, cloudiness or new discharge.
- Ears: clean and mild-smelling. Head shaking, scratching or a strong smell are worth a vet visit.
- Mouth: pink gums, no new lumps, no very bad breath.
- Skin and coat: run your hands over the whole body. Note any new lump, scab, hot spot or flaky patch.
- Paws and nails: look between the toes, and check nails aren't curling or catching.
- Weight: you should be able to feel the ribs under a thin layer, without pressing hard.
Habits worth tracking
Changes in eating, drinking, energy, toilet habits or sleep often show up before anything else. Snootit's Daily Check-In is a simple place to note them, so you can show your vet a real history instead of trying to remember.
Get emergency care right away if you notice
- Trouble breathing, collapse, or pale, gray or blue gums
- A swollen, hard belly, or retching without bringing anything up. In dogs this can be bloat, which is life-threatening.
- Straining to urinate with little or nothing coming out, especially in male cats. A blocked bladder can become life-threatening within hours.
- A seizure, or not being able to stand
- Suspected poisoning: call your vet, an emergency clinic or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center straight away
Call your vet the same day if you notice
- Vomiting or diarrhea more than once or twice, or any blood
- Not eating for a day, or not drinking
- Limping, or a red, squinting or painful eye
- Your pet seems unusually tired, hides, or just isn't themselves
This is general information, not veterinary advice. If something feels wrong, trust that feeling and call your veterinarian.
