Why Annual Bloodwork is Essential for Your Pet’s Health

You bring your perfectly healthy dog or cat into the clinic for vaccines, a heartworm prevention refill, or maybe to check a minor issue like a skin lump or ear infection. Then, your veterinarian recommends bloodwork, and you think, “That sounds expensive and unnecessary.”

Here’s why Dr. Wachsman and our other veterinarians believe annual bloodwork is one of the most important things you can do to help your pet live a long, healthy life:

1. Detect the Invisible

Dogs and cats are masters at hiding illness. This instinct comes from their evolutionary need to avoid appearing weak to predators. Unfortunately, this means that many health problems often go unnoticed until they become advanced and harder to treat.

Routine bloodwork can reveal early signs of conditions like liver disease, kidney injury, anemia, and urinary tract issues, often before symptoms appear. Catching these problems early gives your veterinarian more options for treatment and management.

2. Track Changes Over Time

Pets age much faster than humans. While the “One dog year equals seven human years” rule isn’t exact, a five-year-old dog is roughly equivalent to a middle-aged human.

Annual bloodwork allows your vet to compare results year after year. For example, if your dog’s kidney marker (creatinine) rises from 1.0 to 1.4, it may still be in the “normal” range, but that jump could signal early kidney disease. Kidney values often don’t leave the normal range until 60–70% of kidney function is lost, so trending data is critical.

3. Peace of Mind

It might feel frustrating if your pet’s bloodwork comes back normal, but that’s actually great news! Normal results help your veterinarian rule out serious conditions like thyroid disease, diabetes, liver or kidney problems, and urinary tract infections.

Knowing your pet is healthy gives you peace of mind and helps your vet focus on preventive care.

Bottom Line: Annual bloodwork is an investment in your pet’s health and longevity. It helps detect hidden issues, track changes over time, and confirm your pet is thriving. Talk to your veterinarian about scheduling routine lab work; it’s one of the best ways to keep your furry friend happy and healthy for years to come.          

-Lindsey Wachsman, D.V.M.