Many of us run to the vet at the first sign of sickness in our pets. But, it's also possible that you may have a pet that is in poor health and not even know it. So, here is a quick checkup list that you can perform on your pet. If you have any concerns, be sure to consult your veterinarian.

1. Check your pet's hair coat. It should not feel greasy and the skin color should be a gray-white color. If you find that it's pink, red or if you find a lot of dandruff like scales of dead skin, you should take your pet to the vet. It's possible that your pet could have a skin infection, be allergic to something or have uncommonly dry skin. Sometimes, if there's too much protein in your pet's food, it can cause hot-spots which are red, inflamed areas of the skin. Again, consult your vet on how to proceed if you spot any of these problems.

2. Check for fleas by brushing the hair against the grain and looking for little black specks against the skin. These are the excreta of fleas.

3. After rubbing your hands against the fur, smell your fingers. If the odor is rancid or rank, it could be the sign of poor health (or that your pet needs a good bath).

4. Check your pet's eyes as well. Look for matter within the corners and pull down the bottom lids a bit to check for redness or irritation. Sometimes I find that if my cat's have an infection or irritation in their eyes, the eye will puff up a bit and they will keep it semi-closed. Often times, I'll put one drop of Polysporin eye drops in their eye and it seems to help clear it up by the next day. But if the irritation persists for more than a day or two, take your pet to the vet.

5. Check their ears. Sniff for unusual or foul odors. Make sure there isn't a build up of wax or it shouldn't look oily. Your pet's ears should look pink and clear when in good condition.

6. Inspect your pet's mouth (yes I know...easier said than done). Look for a build up of tartar around the gum line. This can cause huge, future problems with the teeth in later years, so be sure the have your pet's teeth cleaned. Also check for redness in the gums, which could signal a problem with gum disease.

7. Also check the backbone of the animal. Run your fingers down its spine, as well as sideways over it. If you can feel each individual bone, then your pet is probably be underweight.

8. Run your hands over it's body carefully, checking for any lumps. Most of these lumps are usually just fatty tissue deposits, however in some cases it could signal cancer. If you find any lumps, take your pet to the vet immediately.