Vet visits and records
What to note before a vet visit, and keeping a record your vet can read.
Guides on this topic
How to Describe What You've Noticed to Your Vet
Write down what you saw, when it started and how often, in plain words. Add a dated photo or a short video, and bring it to the appointment. Your vet decides what it means.
Questions to Ask at the Vet: A Checklist
The best questions to ask at the vet are the ones about what you will do at home. Write them down before you go, put the important ones first, and note the answers.
What to Bring to Your Pet's First Vet Visit
Bring your pet's existing records, a stool sample if you can get one, the food and medication details, a leash or carrier, and a written list of questions for the vet.
How to build a vet-ready record of your pet's care
A vet-ready record is a dated list of what actually happened: every medication dose with the time and who gave it, vaccine and treatment dates, weight over time, changes in eating, drinking, litter or walks, and short notes or photos of anything unusual. Log it as it happens, and bring it to the appointment on your phone.
Other topics
- Routines and shared careDaily care routines, and sharing them in a household without doubling up.4 guides
- FeedingMeal times, the portions your vet set, treats, water and schedules that stick.4 guides
- MedicationsGiving medicine on time: schedules, reminders, courses and a record of every dose.4 guides
- Vet visits and recordsWhat to note before a vet visit, and keeping a record your vet can read.4 guides
- Vaccines and preventivesKeeping track of vaccines, and flea, tick and worming dates.3 guides
- New petsThe first weeks with a puppy, kitten or rescue: routines, supplies and records.3 guides
- DogsWalks, meals, grooming and the routines of a dog household.3 guides
- CatsMeals, litter, grooming and the quiet routines of a cat household.2 guides
- Small pets and exoticsRabbits, guinea pigs, birds, reptiles and fish: care logs for every kind of pet.3 guides
- Senior petsOlder pets: more meds, more vet visits and a closer eye on weight and routine.2 guides
- Travel and pet sittersHanding care to a sitter, boarding, and travelling with pets.2 guides
- Lost pets and safetyMicrochips, ID, lost pet posters and being ready before something goes wrong.3 guides