13 Easy Dog Health Checks You Can Do at Home

Doing regular at-home wellness checks for your dog is one of the best ways to stay ahead of potential health problems. These checks don’t require any fancy equipment or vet training. All it takes are your eyes, hands, and a little time.

To help keep your pup stays healthy, here are a few health checks you can do at home. If anything seems amiss, call your veterinarian!

1. Bathroom Habits

Changes in your dog’s poop or pee can be an early sign something’s off.

When it comes to number two, normal stool is generally firm, log-shaped, and chocolate-brown. Diarrhea, constipation, mucus, unusual coloring, or blood can point to dietary issues, parasites, or infections.

Urine should be pale yellow. Straining, accidents, more frequent urination than normal, or blood could signal a urinary tract problem.

If you notice anything concerning about your pup’s potty habits, call your vet to determine if a visit is needed.

Learn More: How To Choose a Veterinarian

2. Body Condition

Feel for your dog’s ribs. You should be able to feel them without pressing too hard. Also, look at them from above. A defined waist is healthy.

According to VCA, sudden weight gain or loss could signal metabolic problems, parasites, adrenal gland issues, or something else. If you are concerned about your dog’s weight, you should schedule a visit with your vet.

Learn More: Obese and Overweight Dogs: What You Need To Know

3. Ears

Is your pup scratching at their ears a lot or shaking their head frequently? If so, they might have an ear infection.

Healthy ears are pale pink with little to no odor. Redness, discharge, a smell, or frequent scratching can mean an ear infection or mites.

If your pup’s ears are red, dirty, or stink, you may want to take your pup to the vet for an ear cleaning and antibiotics.

Learn More: Ear Infections in Dogs

4. Eyes

Your dog’s eyes should be bright, clear, and free from discharge. If that’s how they look, that’s a great sign!

However, redness, cloudiness, squinting, or swelling can indicate allergies, injury, or infection warranting a consult with your veterinarian. If your dog’s third eyelid is raised or visible, you should alert your vet.

Also, if your dog suddenly seems blind or they are experiencing rapid swelling or eye bulging, you should call your vet immediately.

Learn More: Eye Infections in Dogs

5. Heart Rate

The Red Cross shares you can find your dog’s heartbeat at the point where their left elbow touches their chest. Put your hand there, and then count your dog’s heartbeats.

Normal heart rates for dogs are:

• Puppies (under one year): 120 to 160 beats per minute

• Dogs 30 pounds or less: 100 to 140 beats per minute

• Dogs over 30 pounds: 60 to 100 beats per minute

Dogs with high heart rates may have heart failure, heart disease, or pancreatitis. If the high heart rate is occurring and your dog didn’t just get done exercising, a phone call to your vet could be wise, especially if the high heart rate is ongoing.

If your dog has a slower heart rate and they are not asleep, a consult with your vet may be wise to rule out any potential issues.

6. Hydration

If you are worried about your dog being dehydrated, PetMD recommends gently pinching the skin at the back of your dog’s neck. If it snaps back right away, their hydration is likely fine. If it takes time to return, your pup might be dehydrated.

Another sign of dehydration? Dry, sticky gums instead of pink, wet ones. Beyond that, a dry nose or sunken eyes can indicate your dog is not properly hydrated.

Offer your pup some water. If they drink, that's great! If not, call your veterinarian to determine if IV fluids may be necessary.

7. Lumps and Bumps

While petting your dog, run your hands along their body to check for any new or changing lumps. Not all are dangerous. Some are just fatty tumors.

That said, it's smart to track size, shape, and texture. A sudden change should be looked at by a vet.

And if you are ever worried about a lump or bump on your dog, don’t be embarrassed to have your vet take a look. It’s never a bad thing to be a proactive pup parent.

8. Paws and Nails

If your pup is limping or does not want to put weight on one of their legs, it could be time to examine their paw pads for cracks, cuts, or embedded debris. You might be able to remove debris on your, but cracks or cuts might require wrapping or veterinary care.

If you don’t see any obvious signs of injury on your dog’s paw pads and their limping continues, a visit to your vet could be a good idea to rule out other issues or provide treatment for ailments like arthritis.

Also, nails should be trimmed so they don’t touch the ground. Long nails can affect how your dog walks and even cause joint strain.

9. Perfusion (Capillary Refill Time)

According to Petco, checking your dog's perfusion can be helpful since this may allow you to identify issues with your dog's blood circulation, heart health, or hydration levels. This is also useful if you are concerned that your dog may be going into shock.

To check your pup’s capillary refill time, lift your dog’s upper lip and press your finger gently on your dog’s gums. They should go pale and return to pink within one to two seconds.

If you notice a slower refill, faster refill, or pale/blue gums, this may indicate a serious issue. Call your vet or an emergency vet immediately to determine your next steps.

10. Respiratory Rate

A healthy, resting dog should breathe around 15 to 30 times per minute. To calculate your dog’s respiratory rate, count the number of breaths they take over 30 seconds, then multiply that number by two.

You’ll want to count your dog’s breaths when they are calm and relaxed. Counting breaths right after exercise will give you an inaccurate assessment of your dog’s true respiratory rate.

Heavy panting, especially when your dog is not hot or after exercise, can signal pain, stress, or respiratory issues. If their respiratory rate remains high for more than a couple of hours, you'll want to call your veterinarian or an emergency veterinarian if it's after normal business hours.

Also, if it seems like your dog is struggling to breathe, immediately call your vet or an emergency vet if your vet is closed.

Learn More: Dog CPR

11. Skin

Is your dog itching more than usual? If so, taking a closer look at their skin can rule out any potential skin issues that may be causing their itchiness.

Healthy skin is smooth and pink or black (depending on breed). Look for flaking, redness, hot spots, or parasites. Run a flea comb through their coat if you notice excessive scratching or hair loss.

If you notice anything concerning, contact your vet to determine if a visit is warranted or if a simple solution, such as a new shampoo or Capstar to eliminate fleas, will suffice.

Learn More: What You Need To Know About Grooming Your Dog

12. Temperature

Ok, so this isn't necessarily one most dog owners are comfortable with. However, it is something that you can do at home if you have a steady hand and a calm dog.

If you are worried your dog has a fever and you are comfortable doing so, you can get a digital rectal thermometer (dipped in some Vasoline for comfort) for pets to check their temperature. WebMD reports that a dog’s normal temperature is between 101 and 102.5°F.

If your dog’s temperature is higher or lower than this range, call your vet to determine if a visit is needed for further evaluation.

Also, never use ear thermometers designed for humans. Dog ear canals are shaped differently.

13. Teeth and Gums

If your dog is slower to the draw when it comes to eating or taking treats, they might have pain in their mouth. A quick peek inside can help rule out any dental issues.

Lift your dog’s lips and check for tartar, redness, swelling, cracked or broken teeth, or bad breath. If you see something concerning, it’s time for a trip to the vet.

Learn More: At-Home Dental Care for Dogs

Final Thoughts

Doing these quick, hands-on health checks at home may help you catch small issues before they become big (and expensive) problems.

Remember, while home checks are useful, they don’t replace regular veterinary care. Schedule annual wellness exams and consult your vet immediately if anything feels off.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended as professional medical advice. It is based on personal experience and online research. Please consult with your veterinarian if you are concerned about your dog's health.