Eyes, Ears, Teeth, Paws, Lumps & More: What to Look for Between Veterinary Visits
You probably know your pet better than anyone.
You know how they normally eat. How they walk. Where they sleep. You may even know exactly what time they’re going to start staring at you because dinner is five minutes late.
But how often do you actually look them over from nose to tail?
At Healthy Pets of Ohio, regular veterinary wellness exams are an important part of preventive care—but there’s also something simple pet owners can do at home between visits.
Once a month, take about a minute to intentionally look over your dog or cat.
You’re not trying to diagnose anything. You’re simply learning what’s normal for your pet so you’re more likely to notice when something changes.
Here’s your One-Minute Monthly Pet Check.
- Start With the Eyes
Look directly at your pet’s eyes.
Healthy eyes should generally appear clear and comfortable.
Watch for:
- Redness
- Cloudiness
- Excessive tearing
- Yellow or green discharge
- Squinting
- Swelling
- One pupil appearing different from the other
- Pawing or rubbing at the eyes
Why It Matters
Eye problems can develop quickly, and some conditions are painful even when your pet isn’t showing obvious discomfort.
New squinting, significant redness, an eye injury or sudden changes in vision deserve prompt veterinary attention.
- Take a Peek Inside the Ears
You don’t need to clean them—just look and smell.
Check for:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Dark debris
- Excessive wax
- Discharge
- Strong or unusual odor
Also pay attention to behavior.
Is your pet suddenly shaking their head, scratching their ears or rubbing their head against furniture?
Those can all be signs of an ear problem.
Healthy Pets Tip
If your dog experiences recurring ear infections, make note of when they happen. Seasonal ear problems can sometimes be connected to environmental allergies.
- Lift the Lip
This might be the most overlooked part of the entire check.
Lift your pet’s lip and take a quick look at their teeth and gums.
Watch for:
- Yellow or brown tartar
- Red or swollen gums
- Bleeding
- Broken or loose teeth
- Growths
- Significant bad breath
“But My Dog Has Always Had Bad Breath.”
Persistent bad breath isn’t necessarily normal.
Dental disease is extremely common in pets, and problems can develop below the gumline where owners can’t see them.
If you notice a significant change in your pet’s breath, chewing habits or appetite, mention it to your veterinary team.
- Run Your Hands Over Their Body
Here’s where the monthly check becomes particularly valuable.
Starting around your pet’s neck, slowly run your hands along:
- Shoulders
- Chest
- Back
- Sides
- Belly
- Legs
- Tail area
You’re looking—and feeling—for anything that seems different.
Look for:
- New lumps
- Bumps
- Swelling
- Scabs
- Hair loss
- Tender areas
- Skin irritation
- Changes in existing lumps
Don’t forget areas that are easy to overlook, including under the legs and around the belly.
- Found a Lump? Don’t Panic—But Don’t Ignore It
Finding a lump doesn’t automatically mean something serious.
Dogs and cats can develop many types of lumps and bumps, including benign growths, cysts and fatty masses.
The problem is that you can’t reliably determine what a lump is simply by looking at or touching it.
That’s why new or changing lumps should be brought to your veterinarian’s attention.
Keep an Eye on:
- Size
- Shape
- Location
- Texture
- Changes over time
- Redness or bleeding
- Whether it seems painful
One easy trick is to take a photo with your phone and place a ruler or coin next to the lump for size reference. Date the photo so you can track whether it’s changing.
- Check the Paws
Dogs and cats spend a lot of time on their feet, yet paws are surprisingly easy to overlook.
Take a quick look at:
- Paw pads
- Nails
- Between the toes
- Fur around the feet
Watch for:
- Cuts
- Cracked paw pads
- Broken nails
- Redness
- Swelling
- Foreign material
- Excessive licking
- Brown or reddish staining from repeated licking
Why Paw Licking Matters
Occasional paw licking is normal.
Constant licking isn’t.
Persistent paw licking can be associated with allergies, yeast or bacterial overgrowth, injuries, pain or something lodged between the toes.
- Take a Step Back and Look at Body Condition
This portion may take only a few seconds but can reveal an important health change.
Look at your pet from above and from the side.
Ask yourself:
Do they look thinner or heavier than they did a month ago?
Gradual weight changes are surprisingly difficult to notice when you see your pet every day.
Ideally, you should generally be able to feel your pet’s ribs without pressing excessively, and they should have a visible waist when viewed from above, though ideal body condition varies somewhat by breed and individual pet.
Why Weight Changes Matter
Unexplained weight gain or loss can sometimes be one of the earliest signs that something is changing with your pet’s health.
This is particularly important for senior pets.
- The Most Important Check Isn’t Something You Can See
Before you’re finished, think about your pet’s behavior over the past month.
Ask yourself:
- Are they eating normally?
- Drinking more or less?
- Sleeping more?
- Playing less?
- Having accidents in the house?
- Struggling with stairs?
- Hesitating before jumping?
- Hiding more often?
- Panting unexpectedly?
- Coughing?
- Vomiting more frequently?
- Having changes in bowel movements?
- Acting differently around family members?
Behavior changes can sometimes appear before obvious physical symptoms.
Cats are particularly skilled at masking pain and illness, which makes subtle changes in routine especially important.
Your One-Minute Monthly Pet Wellness Checklist
Once a month, remember:
👀 EYES
Clear? Comfortable? No unusual discharge?
👂 EARS
Clean-looking? No redness, odor or excessive debris?
🦷 MOUTH
Check teeth, gums and breath.
✋ BODY
Run your hands over your pet and check for lumps, bumps or tender areas.
🐾 PAWS
Look between toes and inspect nails and paw pads.
⚖️ WEIGHT
Any noticeable change in body condition?
🐕 BEHAVIOR
Eating, drinking, sleeping, playing and moving normally?
That’s it.
About one minute once a month can help you become much more familiar with what’s normal for your pet.
Why “Knowing Normal” Is So Important
The purpose of an at-home pet health check isn’t to diagnose disease.
It’s to establish a baseline.
When you routinely check your pet, you’re more likely to notice:
“That bump wasn’t there last month.”
Or:
“Her gums look more irritated than usual.”
Or:
“He’s definitely lost some weight.”
Or:
“She’s suddenly hesitating before jumping onto the couch.”
Those observations can be extremely helpful to your veterinary team.
And in some cases, noticing a change earlier can mean addressing a health problem earlier.
Does an At-Home Pet Check Replace a Wellness Exam?
No.
Even the world’s most attentive pet owner can’t see everything happening inside their pet’s body.
Veterinary wellness exams can identify concerns that may not be obvious at home and allow your veterinary team to evaluate things such as:
- Heart and lungs
- Joint mobility
- Dental health
- Skin and coat
- Weight and body condition
- Eyes and ears
- Abdominal organs
- Preventive care needs
Depending on your pet’s age and health, your veterinarian may also recommend bloodwork, urine testing, parasite screening or other preventive diagnostics.
Think of your monthly check as something that works alongside regular veterinary care, not instead of it.
How Often Should My Pet Have a Wellness Exam?
The right schedule depends on your pet’s age, health and medical history.
Young, healthy adult pets may have different needs than puppies, kittens or senior pets. Older pets and animals managing chronic conditions may benefit from more frequent monitoring.
Your Healthy Pets of Ohio veterinarian can recommend the appropriate wellness schedule for your individual pet.
Healthy Pets of Ohio: Preventive Care Starts Before Your Pet Looks Sick
Veterinary medicine isn’t only about treating sick pets.
One of the most important things we can do is identify potential problems before they become bigger problems.
At Healthy Pets of Ohio, our veterinary teams partner with pet owners throughout every stage of their pet’s life—from puppy and kitten visits to adult wellness care and senior pet health.
Your job at home is simple:
Know your pet’s normal.
Then, when something doesn’t look, feel or seem right, tell us.
Sometimes the smallest change can be an important clue.
Frequently Asked Questions About At-Home Pet Health Checks
How can I check my dog’s health at home?
Once a month, examine your dog’s eyes, ears, mouth, skin, paws and body for changes. Also monitor their weight, appetite, drinking, bathroom habits, mobility and behavior. An at-home check doesn’t replace veterinary exams but can help you notice changes earlier.
What are some early signs that my dog may be sick?
Changes in appetite, thirst, weight, energy, sleep, behavior, bathroom habits, breathing or mobility can all indicate a potential health problem. New lumps, skin changes, vomiting, diarrhea or unusual discharge should also be monitored.
How do I check my dog for lumps?
Slowly run both hands over your dog’s entire body once a month, including the neck, chest, abdomen, legs and tail area. If you find a new lump or notice an existing lump changing, have your veterinarian evaluate it.
What should I check on my cat every month?
Check your cat’s eyes, ears, teeth, gums, skin, paws and body condition. Pay particular attention to subtle changes in appetite, water consumption, litter box habits, grooming, hiding, jumping and social behavior.
Should I worry about every lump I find on my dog?
Not every lump is dangerous, but it’s impossible to reliably identify a mass by touch alone. New, growing, changing, bleeding or painful lumps should be evaluated by your veterinarian.
Why is my senior pet slowing down?
Slowing down isn’t always simply a normal part of aging. Arthritis, pain, dental disease and other medical conditions can cause changes in activity and mobility. Mention noticeable changes to your veterinarian.