Complete Dog Health Checklist: What to Check Every Month

Keeping your dog healthy doesn’t require a vet visit every week — but it does require consistent attention at home. A simple monthly routine helps you catch problems early, before they become serious. Here’s your complete monthly dog health checklist.

Coat and Skin Check

Run your hands through your dog’s coat from head to tail. You’re looking for bald patches, redness, flaking, lumps, or unusual odors. Part the fur to check for fleas or ticks — especially behind the ears, between toes, and around the groin. A healthy coat should be shiny and smooth, not dull or brittle.

Eyes and Ears

Healthy dog eyes are bright, clear, and free of discharge. A little crust in the corner in the morning is normal, but ongoing goopy or cloudy discharge is not. For ears, look inside for redness, dark waxy buildup, or a yeasty smell — all signs of a possible infection. Never poke deep into the ear canal; just check what you can see.

Teeth and Gums

Lift your dog’s lips and check the teeth and gums. Gums should be pink and moist — pale, white, yellow, or bluish gums signal a serious problem. Teeth should not have heavy brown tartar buildup. Bad breath beyond the usual “dog breath” can point to dental disease, which affects most dogs over age three if left untreated.

Weight and Body Condition

You should be able to feel your dog’s ribs with light pressure but not see them. Looking from above, your dog should have a visible waist. From the side, the belly should tuck up slightly behind the ribcage. If you can’t feel ribs at all, your dog may be overweight. If ribs are visible and prominent, they may be underweight.

Nails, Paws, and Movement

Check the nails — if you hear clicking on hard floors, they’re too long. Inspect paw pads for cracks, cuts, or foreign objects stuck between toes. Watch your dog walk and trot. Any limping, stiffness, or reluctance to move warrants attention, especially after rest.

Bathroom Habits

Changes in urination or defecation habits are often the first sign something is off. Straining, blood, diarrhea lasting more than a day, or unusual frequency all deserve a closer look. Note any changes and mention them to your vet at your next visit.

When to See a Vet

If you find any lumps that weren’t there before, notice sudden weight loss or gain, see discharge from the eyes or nose, or your dog seems unusually tired or stops eating, book a vet appointment promptly. Many conditions are far easier to treat when caught early. Your monthly check is your best early warning system.

A few minutes each month spent checking in with your dog’s body keeps you closely connected to their health — and gives you peace of mind that your best friend is doing well.