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Wellness & Exams

Keep your pet healthy with routine wellness exams, early detection, and personalized care plans.

Wellness & Exams

Wellness & Exams: Building a Healthier Life for Your Pet

Routine wellness exams are the foundation of lifelong health for your pet. Even if your dog or cat seems perfectly healthy, regular checkups help catch early signs of illness, keep vaccines and preventatives up to date, and give you peace of mind. Think of it as your pet’s version of an annual physical—essential, personalized, and focused on prevention.

Why Are Wellness Exams Important?

Pets age much faster than humans, and health changes can happen quickly, often without obvious symptoms. Wellness visits allow your veterinarian to:

  • Track your pet’s health over time

  • Detecting conditions like dental disease, arthritis, or weight gain early

  • Stay ahead of parasites, heartworm, or preventable illness

  • Provide guidance on nutrition, behavior, and lifestyle

These visits also build trust between your pet and their care team, making future visits less stressful.

What’s Included in a Wellness Visit?

Each wellness exam is tailored to your pet’s age, breed, and lifestyle, but generally includes:

  • Head-to-toe physical exam: Eyes, ears, teeth, skin, heart, lungs, joints, and more

  • Weight and body condition check

  • Heartworm and parasite screening

  • Vaccination review and updates

  • Dental health assessment

  • Discussion of nutrition, exercise, and home habits

  • Bloodwork or diagnostics (especially for senior pets or when baseline health info is needed)

Whether it’s a playful puppy or a wise senior, every pet benefits from a consistent wellness plan.

How Often Should My Pet Get an Exam?

  • Puppies and kittens need several visits in their first year for vaccines and development monitoring.

  • Adult pets (1–7 years) should have a checkup at least once a year.

  • Senior pets (7+ years) often benefit from exams every 6 months due to faster health changes.

We’ll help build a schedule that matches your pet’s needs and keeps you informed every step of the way.


Wellness care isn’t just about treating illness—it’s about staying ahead of it. Regular exams help ensure your pet enjoys a long, comfortable, and healthy life by your side.

🐾 Looking to keep your pet healthy and happy? Visit us—we’re here to support every step of the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

There is no question too big or too small for our veterinary team.

Hayward Animal Clinic provides services mentioned in Dentistry, Surgery, X-rays, Spay And Neuter, Microchipping, Vaccinations, Wellness Exams, Nutritional Counseling, Behavior Management, Parasite Prevention, Ultrasound, and Onsite Diagnostics.
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