What is my pet’s breed prone to?
Pick your dog or cat’s breed to see the health problems it’s best known for, the early signs to watch, and when screening catches them.
Look up your pet’s breed
Over 60 dog and cat breeds, plus mixed breeds. Built from published research, written by a vet.
How we built this
Only well-documented risks
Each condition is backed by large studies of real vet records, screening databases, specialist consensus statements or genetic research. If the evidence was thin, we left it out.
Checks a good GP can do
Most of these are caught with everyday tools: a hands-on exam, listening to the heart, dental care, bloodwork, urine tests, x-rays, EKG, blood pressure and eye checks. We flag when a specialist test makes sense.
A risk is not a diagnosis
A breed risk means more pets of that breed get a condition than average. Plenty never do. Knowing the early signs just means you’ll notice sooner, when treatment works best.
Sources include VetCompass studies of UK primary-care records (Royal Veterinary College), OFA screening data, ACVIM and European cardiology consensus statements, University of Cambridge BOAS research, the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines, and the genetic testing labs at UC Davis and Washington State University. Adult weights come from AKC and UKC breed standards. UK record studies are the largest available, so US numbers may differ a little. Each result lists its own sources.
For every dog
- A yearly exam, and every 6 months once they’re seniors.
- Daily tooth brushing and dental cleanings when needed.
- A lean body: check yours with our body condition guide.
- Vaccines and parasite prevention on schedule. Our prevention reminder helps.
For every cat
- A yearly exam, even for indoor cats. Cats hide illness well.
- From age 7: bloodwork, a urine test, a thyroid test and blood pressure every 1 to 2 years. After 10, every 6 to 12 months.
- Teeth and weight checks at every visit.
- Something wrong right now? Use our Should I come in? checker or call (310) 776-5544.
Common questions
If my pet’s breed is at risk, will they get it?
Usually not. A breed risk means a condition shows up more often in that breed than in pets overall, not that your pet will have it. Most dogs and cats of every breed live long, healthy lives. Knowing the early signs just means you’ll spot trouble sooner, when it’s easier to treat.
Are mixed breeds and doodles healthier?
Not automatically. A mix can inherit risks from any breed in its background, and doodles share many of their parent breeds’ problems. Size matters too: small dogs are more prone to dental and heart valve disease, and big dogs to joint problems and bloat. If you’re not sure of the mix, pick the closest size.
Should I do a DNA test?
DNA tests are great for single-gene conditions, like MDR1 drug sensitivity, some inherited blindness, bleeding disorders, PKD in cats, and the HCM gene changes in Maine Coons and Ragdolls. They can’t predict hips, allergies, cancer or most heart disease, and a negative HCM test doesn’t rule HCM out. Exams and screening tests still matter most.
When should screening start?
Some checks start at the first puppy or kitten visit, like listening to the heart, checking the knees and eyes, and hearing tests in at-risk breeds. Official hip and elbow x-rays usually happen around 2 years. Most dogs need senior bloodwork from about 7, and big dogs sooner. Cats should have bloodwork, a urine test, a thyroid test and blood pressure every 1 to 2 years from age 7, and every 6 to 12 months after 10.
Can Paw Priority do these screening tests?
Most of them, yes: exams, heart checks, dental care with x-rays, bloodwork, urine tests, x-rays, EKG, blood pressure and eye checks. When a specialist test is the right call, like an echocardiogram, PennHIP hip films or a specialist eye exam, we’ll tell you and help arrange it. Our VIPP+ membership includes a yearly workup with bloodwork, an EKG, chest and abdominal x-rays and a blood pressure check.