Pet Wellness & Preventative Care in
State College, PA

Keep your pet happy and healthy with personalized wellness care, routine exams, parasite prevention, and more—all from a trusted State College vet.

A man in blue scrubs, smiling warmly, holds a Boston Terrier close.

Proactive Veterinary Care for Every Stage of Life

Preventative care is one of the most powerful tools we have to protect your pet’s long-term health. At JM Ritchie Veterinary Hospital, we take a proactive, personalized approach to wellness care—supporting your pet from their earliest days through their golden years.

Our experienced veterinary team customizes every wellness plan to your pet’s needs, lifestyle, and risk factors. Whether it’s a new puppy’s first vaccines or a senior cat’s annual checkup, we provide comprehensive care in a warm, welcoming environment.

We proudly care for pets across State College, Bellefonte, Lemont, Boalsburg, and the surrounding Centre County communities.

A woman vet wearing blue scrubs, gently holds a curious cat with blue eyes.

Annual Pet Wellness Exams

Routine wellness exams are a cornerstone of preventative veterinary care. These yearly checkups give us the opportunity to monitor your pet’s health, catch early signs of illness, and keep their care plan on track.
Wellness exams typically include:

  • Nose-to-tail physical examination
  • Assessment of heart, lungs, eyes, ears, skin, joints, and weight
  • Behavioral or dietary discussions
  • Bloodwork and fecal testing as needed
  • Personalized care recommendations

Our annual pet checkups are tailored to your pet’s age and lifestyle so we can support their well-being through every life stage.

Dog & Cat Vaccinations

Vaccinations protect your pet from serious, preventable diseases—and they play a vital role in public health too. At JM Ritchie, we customize each vaccine protocol based on your pet’s individual needs.
We offer:

  • Core vaccines for puppies, kittens, adults, and seniors
  • Lifestyle-based vaccines (e.g. Bordetella, Lyme, feline leukemia)
  • Safe and timely boosters
  • Guidance on any required travel vaccines

Preventative care—including dog and cat vaccinations—is one of the best ways to help your pet live a longer, healthier life.

A tabby cat with a red collar lounges on grass beside a fluffy, black and white puppy.
A playful brown and white dog lies on its back in grass, holding a colorful rope toy in its mouth.

Parasite Prevention for Dogs & Cats

Fleas, ticks, and worms are more than a nuisance—they can carry disease and are often hard to detect. Some ticks are as small as a pinhead, and intestinal parasites may not show visible symptoms.

Our approach to parasite prevention includes:

  • Fecal Testing
  • Full-body parasite checks during wellness exams
  • Year-round heartworm, flea, and tick prevention
  • Custom plans based on lifestyle and location

Parasites can affect other pets—and even humans—so staying on top of prevention helps keep your entire household safe.

Dog & Cat Nail Trimming

Trimming your pet’s nails regularly helps prevent injuries, mobility issues, and pain—especially in senior pets. At JM Ritchie, we make nail care easy and stress-free.

Our nail trimming services include:

  • Gentle, low-stress handling
  • Add-on trims during wellness or tech visits
  • Recommendations for home care and frequency
  • Help for nervous or wiggly pets

Dog nail trims and cat nail trims can often be added to routine visits—just ask
our team when scheduling!

A person gently holds a dog's paw while trimming its nails.
A tabby cat with white markings eats from a silver bowl on a sunlit hardwood floor.

Prescription Pet Food & Nutrition Counseling

Some pets have unique dietary needs due to age, health concerns, or chronic conditions. We carry a selection of prescription pet food and offer guidance to help you choose the right nutrition plan.

Services include:

  • Veterinary-exclusive diets for kidney disease, allergies, GI support, and more
  • Weight management support
  • Puppy, senior, and breed-specific nutritional advice
  • On-site availability for easy pickup

We’ll work with you to find a safe, effective feeding solution for your dog or
cat’s unique needs.