Life gets busy, but your pet’s health shouldn’t wait. It’s easy to brush off an annual visit when your pet appears happy and healthy at home, but you could be missing subtle health changes and a chance to discuss ongoing care needs with the RBVH Hillsborough primary care team.

If you’ve been putting off scheduling a pet wellness exam, here are seven reasons why preventive care visits matter and how they can help you keep your furry pal by your side for years to come.

1. Pets age faster than people

Your pet might still act like a puppy or kitten, but time flies when you’re a pet with a 15-year lifespan. Changes in a pet’s body can happen quickly, and the older they get, the more likely they are to develop health issues. Establishing a baseline for young pets helps your vet detect changes later, and regular checkups for older pets ensure nothing gets missed.

2. Early detection can improve outcomes

Many health problems in pets start with subtle changes you may not notice right away, or at all. Behavioral changes, such as drinking more water or sleeping more, can be an early warning sign of disease, but some pets don’t show any symptoms. A thorough physical exam and diagnostic screening tests, including blood work and urinalysis, can help our veterinary team detect diseases early, when treatment is easier, more effective, and often less costly.

3. Your pet may need vaccinations or parasite prevention

Yearly pet wellness exams are a chance to check on your pet’s vaccination schedule and consult with veterinary professionals about your current parasite control program. Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention recommendations may change as new research or products are developed, or if your pet’s life stage, lifestyle, or health history changes.

4. Dental disease often goes undetected

Most pets develop early dental disease by age 3, but signs such as bad breath and gum inflammation can go unnoticed, and your pet is unlikely to complain about a toothache. Without treatment and daily home care, dental issues can cause pain, infection, and even heart, liver, or kidney problems. Assessing dental health during a pet wellness exam allows your veterinarian to recommend home care products that work for you and schedule a professional cleaning if additional treatment is required.

5. Weight gain can shorten your pet’s life

A healthy weight can improve a pet’s quality of life. Obesity or even a few extra pounds can strain your pet’s joints and increase inflammation throughout the body, which puts them at risk for diseases like cancer or diabetes. A weight check and body condition evaluation are part of every preventive care exam. If your pet is above or below their ideal weight, our veterinary team can help you set a goal weight and recommend diet, exercise, and other weight-management strategies to help your pet reach it.

6. Your pet’s health needs change over time

What your pet needs at 6 months of age differs from what they need at 6 years. Regular wellness exams are a chance to build a relationship with your veterinary team and adjust to changing needs as your pet grows and ages. Age-appropriate advice on nutrition, physical activity, social interactions, and training or behavior is equally important as discussing physical health needs during each year's pet wellness exam.

7. Pet wellness exams provide peace of mind

Have you ever felt anxious about your pet’s well-being? Sometimes, the best outcome from a pet wellness exam is knowing that you’re doing everything possible to support good health, and that their physical exam and lab work reflect your efforts. Having that reassurance means you can relax and enjoy time with your pet, knowing that you’re ready to tackle any issues as they arise alongside a veterinary care team you trust.

Wellness starts now

Pets can’t tell us when something feels off, and subtle changes may go unnoticed or be difficult for pet owners to detect. A simple pet wellness exam can uncover these hidden issues and help you take proactive steps to preserve your pet’s longevity and quality of life.

Make your pet’s health a priority. Contact us to schedule your pet’s annual wellness exam with the RBVH Hillsborough primary care team or to learn more about how routine wellness care can benefit your pet’s well-being and extend their healthy years by your side.