What Belongs in Your Pet's Complete Health File
Prepared by the Waggle editorial team. This article is educational, not a diagnosis or an individual veterinary review.
Photo by Karl Byron on Pexels. Illustrative photo; not a patient or clinical diagnosis.
A complete health file means you can answer almost any question a vet, boarder or insurer asks, without hunting for paperwork.
Identity
- Name, species, breed, color and birthdate
- Recent photos from several angles
- Microchip number and registry details
- License and tag information
Vaccines and prevention
- Rabies certificate
- Full vaccine history with dates
- Flea, tick and heartworm prevention records
- Deworming dates
Medical history
- Visit notes and invoices
- Diagnoses, surgeries and procedures
- Lab results and imaging reports
- Dental records
- Allergies and past adverse reactions
Medications and diet
- Current medications with doses and schedules
- Supplements
- Food brand, amount and any special diet
Weight and notes
- Weight history
- Behavior notes and training information
- Symptoms you've tracked, including photos and videos
Insurance and legal
- Insurance policy and claim documents
- Adoption or purchase paperwork and proof of ownership
- Travel documents and health certificates
People and places
- Regular vet and emergency clinic contacts
- Specialists and groomers
- Emergency contacts and sitters
Where to keep it
A digital pet health vault keeps all of this together and available on your phone. Keep a printed summary in your home emergency kit too. For health questions, chat with a licensed vet on Waggle Vet, or find a nearby veterinarian for an exam.
FAQs
How often should I update the file?
After every vet visit, vaccine or major change.
What's the single most important document?
Many owners say the rabies certificate, since it's required so often.
Related reading
- Why Every Pet Owner Needs Digital Medical Records
- How to Request Your Pet's Records From Your Vet
- Online Vet vs. ER: A Decision Guide for Pet Parents
Waggle resources
Still have questions?
For non-emergency questions, explore Waggle Vet. Trouble breathing, collapse, suspected poisoning or other severe signs need immediate in-person emergency care—do not wait for an online chat.
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