Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- A wellness exam is a full nose-to-tail physical that helps your vet catch health problems early, before they become serious.
- Dogs and cats under 10 should see the vet once a year; at 10 and older, every six months is the right cadence.
- Modern Animal All Access members get their routine wellness exam included at no additional charge.
If you've ever left a vet appointment with a list of questions you forgot to ask, you're not alone. The annual wellness exam is actually the perfect time to get all of them answered, and it does a lot more than most pet owners realize.
Whether your dog seems perfectly healthy or your cat has been acting a little off, a yearly checkup gives your vet a full picture of where your pet stands. That picture matters more than you might think, because the best time to catch a health problem is before it becomes obvious.
Here's what goes into a pet wellness exam and why making it a regular habit is one of the best things you can do for your animal.
What Actually Happens at a Pet Wellness Exam?
A wellness exam is a complete, nose-to-tail physical. Your vet will check your pet's eyes, ears, nose, and teeth. They'll listen to the heart and lungs, feel along the abdomen for any changes in organ size or signs of discomfort, assess all the joints for stiffness or pain, and check the rear end too. There's important information back there that's easy to miss at home.
The goal isn't just to confirm everything looks fine in the moment. It's to establish a baseline for your individual pet so that if something changes down the road, your vet has the context to catch it early. Problems found early are almost always easier and less expensive to treat.
How Often Should My Dog or Cat See the Vet?
For dogs and cats under the age of 10, a yearly wellness exam is the standard recommendation. Once your pet reaches 10, our vets recommend bumping that up to every six months.
The reason is straightforward: health issues in older pets tend to come on faster and progress more quickly. More frequent exams mean more opportunities to get ahead of problems while they're still manageable. It's not a cause for alarm. It's just good proactive care for an animal who can't tell you when something feels wrong.
What About Vaccinations?
Vaccines are a meaningful part of the wellness visit, but your vet's recommendations won't look the same for every pet. They'll think through your pet's lifestyle, including how much time they spend outdoors, whether they're around other animals, and where you live, then build a vaccination schedule that actually fits your situation.
Every dog and cat has a core set of vaccines they need regardless of lifestyle. Beyond that, your vet will factor in the specific risks your pet faces day to day. It's a real conversation, not a checklist. If you've lost track of what your pet is up to date on, you can pull their vaccine records anytime in the Modern Animal app. No digging through paperwork required.
What Questions Should I Ask at My Pet's Wellness Visit?
This is your dedicated face time with a veterinarian who knows your pet. Don't let it go by without bringing up what's been on your mind.
Our vets are happy to talk through anything, including:
- Diet and treats: portion sizes, what to avoid, whether your pet's current food is a good fit for their age and activity level
- Behavior: anything you've noticed at home that seems new, off, or just confusing
- Weight and mobility: especially worth discussing as pets get older
- Preventive care: flea, tick, and heartworm prevention tailored to your area and your pet's habits
If a question comes up between visits, Modern Animal All Access and Essential members can reach our veterinary team anytime through 24/7 Virtual Care. You don't have to wait until the next appointment to get an answer.
Why Senior Pets Need More Frequent Checkups
The shift to twice-yearly exams at age 10 comes down to biology. Conditions like kidney disease, heart disease, arthritis, and dental disease become more common as pets age, and they often develop quietly, without obvious symptoms, until they've progressed significantly.
Seeing your vet every six months gives your vet twice as many chances to spot something early. Combined with any lab work your vet recommends, it gives your senior pet the best shot at staying comfortable and healthy for as long as possible. If you're not sure whether your pet is approaching that threshold, your vet will let you know when it's time to adjust the schedule.
What Does a Pet Wellness Exam Cost?
At Modern Animal, your membership plan also factors in. All Access members get unlimited wellness exams included at no additional charge. Essential members get one exam included per plan year. If you're not a member, a routine wellness exam runs between $75 and $85 depending on which city you're in.
For a full breakdown of what's included at each membership tier, and the price of services and tests you may be recommended during your pet's wellness exam, visit modernanimal.com/pricing.
Keep Your Pet's Health on Track
The annual wellness exam is one of the simplest, highest-impact things you can do for your pet. It's not about ticking a box. It's about having a real relationship with a vet who knows your animal and can help you make good decisions over the course of their life.
If your pet is due for a visit, booking is easy through the Modern Animal app. And if something comes up before then, our team is available around the clock for virtual care.
