By the time your pet shows symptoms, it's often an emergency. Catch it weeks early with this simple 10-minute ritual.
Lift the lips and check the gums. They should be bubblegum pink and wet. If they feel tacky or look pale, your pet may be dehydrated or worse.
A healthy ear should have no scent. A yeasty or musty odour is a red flag for infections, especially common in our damp UK climate.
Feel under the jawline for 'peas'. If they feel like hard grapes or golf balls, it's an urgent sign to call your vet surgery immediately.
Run your hands over the ribs. You should feel them with light pressure. If you have to 'dig' to find them, your pet is carrying dangerous weight.
Press the belly gently with the flats of your fingers. It should be soft. If they 'splint' or tense up, they might be hiding internal pain.
Pinch the skin between the shoulders. If it stays 'tented' instead of snapping back, your pet is suffering from significant dehydration.
Tiny black specks in the fur? Place them on wet kitchen roll. If they turn red, those are flea droppings. Time for a deep clean.
Feel for heat or thickening in the joints. Cold UK winters are brutal on senior pets. Catch the inflammation before it leads to lameness.
Check for grass seeds or road salt between pads. If you hear 'clicking' on the tiles, their claws are too long and need a trim.
Scooting or a metallic smell? It’s usually anal glands. Ensure the area is clean and dry to prevent painful matting and infections.
By checking your pet weekly, you move from guessing to knowing. You become the first line of defence for their health and happiness.
Get the exact step-by-step routine, plus tips on taking 'digital evidence' for your vet consultation.