diff --git a/k8s/deployment.yaml b/k8s/deployment.yaml
index b7bf638..37da4c5 100644
--- a/k8s/deployment.yaml
+++ b/k8s/deployment.yaml
@@ -52,14 +52,14 @@ spec:
               memory: 512Mi
           readinessProbe:
             httpGet:
-              path: /
+              path: /health
               port: 4000
-            initialDelaySeconds: 10
-            periodSeconds: 10
+            initialDelaySeconds: 3
+            periodSeconds: 3
             failureThreshold: 3
           livenessProbe:
             httpGet:
-              path: /
+              path: /health
               port: 4000
             initialDelaySeconds: 30
             periodSeconds: 30
diff --git a/lib/cobblemon_ui_web/endpoint.ex b/lib/cobblemon_ui_web/endpoint.ex
index 7a3369d..37934f1 100644
--- a/lib/cobblemon_ui_web/endpoint.ex
+++ b/lib/cobblemon_ui_web/endpoint.ex
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 defmodule CobblemonUiWeb.Endpoint do
   use Phoenix.Endpoint, otp_app: :cobblemon_ui
 
+  plug CobblemonUiWeb.Plugs.HealthCheck
+
   # The session will be stored in the cookie and signed,
   # this means its contents can be read but not tampered with.
   # Set :encryption_salt if you would also like to encrypt it.
diff --git a/lib/cobblemon_ui_web/health_check.ex b/lib/cobblemon_ui_web/health_check.ex
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7028b9f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/cobblemon_ui_web/health_check.ex
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+defmodule CobblemonUiWeb.Plugs.HealthCheck do
+  @moduledoc """
+  A lightweight health check plug that responds before hitting the router.
+  This avoids unnecessary processing and logging for health check requests.
+  """
+  import Plug.Conn
+
+  def init(opts), do: opts
+
+  def call(%Plug.Conn{request_path: "/health"} = conn, _opts) do
+    conn
+    |> send_resp(200, ~s({"status":"ok"}))
+    |> halt()
+  end
+
+  def call(conn, _opts), do: conn
+end