The single most underrated thing you can do for your pet. A thorough nose-to-tail examination twice a year catches problems early, when they’re cheaper and easier to treat — included as standard with Companion Plan.
Pets age roughly seven times faster than humans. A year between health checks is the equivalent of seven years between your own GP visits — long enough for serious conditions to develop unnoticed. Routine health checks let us spot the early signs of disease while there’s still plenty we can do, often at a fraction of the cost of treating an advanced problem.
What’s included in a health check
Every health check at Paws & Co is a proper, hands-on examination — not a quick once-over. We take time to ask about your pet’s daily life, then systematically work through every body system to identify anything subtle.
Weight & body condition
Accurate weight measurement and a body condition score. Weight changes are often the earliest sign of illness or arthritis.
Eyes, ears & mouth
Examination for early signs of dental disease, ear infections, eye changes (cataracts, dry eye, ulcers).
Heart & lungs
Auscultation with a stethoscope to listen for murmurs, arrhythmias, breathing changes — often the first sign of heart or lung disease.
Skin & coat
Looking for parasites, lumps, dermatitis or hair changes that point to underlying skin or hormonal disease.
Abdominal palpation
Gentle examination to assess organ size, detect masses, identify discomfort or fluid build-up.
Joints & mobility
Range-of-motion checks for early arthritis — one of the most under-diagnosed conditions in middle-aged and older pets.
Lymph nodes
Palpation of the major lymph nodes to detect early signs of infection, inflammation or, rarely, lymphoma.
Behaviour & lifestyle
A conversation about diet, exercise, behaviour, toileting habits — subtle changes you may have noticed but not flagged.
Health checks at every life stage
Puppies & kittens
The first few visits set the tone for life. We focus on growth, weight, dental development, vaccination schedules, parasite prevention, and crucially, talking through socialisation, training, neutering, insurance, and feeding. Getting these foundations right saves enormous trouble later.
Adult pets (1–7 years)
This is where annual or twice-yearly checks really earn their keep. Adult pets are at peak risk of dental disease, mild weight gain, early skin allergies, and undiagnosed heart murmurs. Catching these in their first stages is dramatically simpler than waiting until they’re obvious. We’ll also keep on top of vaccinations, parasite prevention and any breed-specific predispositions.
Senior pets (7+ years)
Once pets reach senior age, we strongly recommend twice-yearly checks. This is when arthritis, kidney disease, dental disease, heart disease, hormonal disorders and tumours start emerging. Many of these have no obvious external signs in early stages but show up clearly on examination, in bloods, or in subtle behavioural changes you might dismiss as “just getting old.” They’re not. Old age isn’t a diagnosis — it’s a life stage that often hides treatable conditions.
For senior pets, we also offer the 365 Annual Health Test (£99 for dogs, £129 for cats) — a comprehensive blood and urine screen that establishes a baseline for kidney, liver, thyroid and metabolic health. Particularly valuable for pets aged 7+ or for pets due to start long-term medications.
Geriatric pets (10+ years)
The most important check-ups of your pet’s life. Quality of life assessment, pain scoring, mobility evaluation, dental review, and proactive management of chronic conditions become the focus. Modern veterinary medicine can transform the comfort and longevity of older pets — but only if we’re actively monitoring.
Subtle signs that warrant a check-up
Pets are stoic and rarely show obvious illness until things have progressed. Watch for any of these subtle changes:
When a check-up isn’t enough — come in promptly
Routine health checks are for stable, well-seeming pets. If your pet is showing any of the following, please book a same-day consultation rather than wait for a scheduled check:
- Sudden change in appetite or drinking
- Significant or rapid weight loss
- Persistent vomiting, diarrhoea or coughing
- A new lump that’s growing quickly
- Difficulty breathing, urinating or walking
- Severe lethargy or collapse
Transparent pricing
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard Consultation / Health Check (15 min) | £39 |
| Extended Health Check (senior or complex) | £60 |
| 365 Annual Health Test — Dogs | £99 |
| 365 Annual Health Test — Cats | £129 |
| Companion Plan (2 health checks/year included) | £25/mo |
Companion Plan members receive two free health checks per year as part of their membership, plus 20% off everything else.
Two health checks a year, included
The pets that do best long-term are those who get seen regularly. Companion Plan includes two full nose-to-tail health checks every year, plus annual booster, parasite cover, free nurse appointments and 20% off everything else.
Frequently asked questions
How often should my pet have a health check?
For young and middle-aged pets, once a year alongside their booster vaccination is usually sufficient. For senior pets (7+) and pets with ongoing conditions, we recommend twice-yearly checks. Companion Plan covers this automatically.
My pet seems perfectly healthy — do I really need check-ups?
Yes. The whole point of preventative checks is to identify problems your pet doesn’t yet show externally — heart murmurs, dental disease, early arthritis, weight changes, lumps. By the time a problem becomes obvious, it’s usually well established.
What’s the difference between a health check and a consultation?
Practically, very little — both are full physical examinations by a qualified vet. We use “health check” for routine preventative visits and “consultation” when you’ve come in about a specific problem. Both are billed at £39 and last 15 minutes.
Should I get my pet a blood test as well?
For pets aged 7+, or any pet on long-term medication, yes — blood testing catches early kidney, liver, thyroid and diabetic changes that the physical examination simply can’t. Our 365 Annual Health Test is designed exactly for this.
How long does a health check take?
Standard health checks are 15 minutes — enough time for a thorough examination and a proper conversation. Extended checks (senior pets, multiple concerns) take 30 minutes and are billed at £60.
What should I bring to my pet’s health check?
Just your pet, their lead/carrier, any current medications, and any specific concerns you’ve noticed. If you’ve been monitoring weight, eating habits, water intake or toileting, those notes are helpful too.
Book your pet’s health check today
The earlier we catch problems, the simpler — and cheaper — they are to manage.