Understanding Your Dog’s Health
Dogs can’t tell us when they’re feeling under the weather, so it’s up to us to recognise the signs. While some illnesses are obvious, others can be subtle, making it important to understand your dog’s normal behaviour and routines.
In this guide, we’ll explore the key signs that might indicate your dog is feeling unwell, when to seek veterinary help, and how to monitor your dog’s overall health.
1. Changes in Appetite or Thirst
A healthy dog should have a relatively consistent eating and drinking routine. Any sudden change in appetite or thirst could indicate a problem.
🔹 Loss of Appetite – Could signal illness, dental issues, or stress.
🔹 Increased Thirst – Could be a sign of diabetes, kidney disease, or an infection.
🔹 Sudden Hunger – Some medical conditions (like diabetes or thyroid issues) can cause an increased appetite.
🚨 When to worry: If your dog refuses food for more than 24 hours or drinks excessively for multiple days, contact your vet.
2. Lethargy or Low Energy
If your usually energetic dog is suddenly sleeping more or seems uninterested in their usual activities, they may not be feeling well.
🔹 Mild lethargy could result from a busy day or minor discomfort.
🔹 Extreme lethargy where your dog barely responds to you could indicate something more serious.
🚨 When to worry: If lethargy lasts longer than a day, or if it’s accompanied by other symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, or laboured breathing.
3. Digestive Issues: Vomiting, Diarrhoea, or Constipation
Occasional stomach upsets happen, but persistent digestive issues are a sign of illness.
🔹 Vomiting once isn’t always a major concern (dogs sometimes eat things they shouldn’t), but repeated vomiting is.
🔹 Diarrhoea that lasts more than a day can lead to dehydration.
🔹 Constipation or difficulty passing stool might indicate blockages or dietary issues.
🚨 When to worry:
✔ Repeated vomiting or diarrhoea for more than 24 hours
✔ Blood in stool or vomit
✔ Straining to go to the toilet with no success
4. Breathing Changes: Coughing, Wheezing, or Heavy Panting
Dogs naturally pant after exercise, but abnormal breathing patterns can indicate illness.
🔹 Coughing – Could be kennel cough, heart disease, or lung issues.
🔹 Wheezing – Might indicate allergies, infections, or something stuck in the throat.
🔹 Excessive panting – If it’s not related to heat or exercise, it could indicate pain, stress, or respiratory distress.
🚨 When to worry: If your dog is struggling to breathe, has blue or pale gums, or their breathing seems laboured, get emergency veterinary help.
5. Changes in Body Temperature
A dog’s normal temperature is between 38.3°C – 39.2°C (101°F – 102.5°F). A fever or low temperature could indicate an underlying health issue.
🔹 Hot, dry nose – Contrary to myth, a warm nose doesn’t always mean illness, but combined with other symptoms, it can be a concern.
🔹 Shivering or shaking – Could be a sign of pain, fever, or distress.
🔹 Lethargy with warmth – If your dog feels warmer than usual and is sluggish, they may have a fever.
🚨 When to worry: If your dog’s temperature is above 39.4°C (103°F) or below 37.2°C (99°F), contact your vet.
6. Behavioural Changes: Anxiety, Aggression, or Withdrawal
If your friendly, playful dog suddenly becomes withdrawn, irritable, or overly anxious, this could be a sign of discomfort or pain.
🔹 Unusual aggression – Pain can make even the friendliest dog reactive.
🔹 Hiding or avoiding people – A sign of feeling unwell or stressed.
🔹 Excessive licking or chewing – Dogs often lick painful areas, which could indicate joint pain, allergies, or wounds.
🚨 When to worry: If these behaviours persist for more than a day or are accompanied by other physical symptoms.
7. Skin and Coat Changes
A dog’s coat should be shiny and smooth. Any sudden changes could indicate an underlying problem.
🔹 Excessive shedding – Could be stress-related or linked to diet.
🔹 Bald patches or redness – Might indicate allergies, infections, or parasites.
🔹 Dandruff or flaky skin – Could be a sign of nutritional deficiencies or dehydration.
🚨 When to worry: If your dog is excessively scratching, has open sores, or if their coat becomes noticeably dull and thin.
8. Eye and Ear Health
Healthy eyes should be clear and bright, while ears should be clean and odour-free.
🔹 Watery or red eyes – Could be an allergy, infection, or injury.
🔹 Cloudiness – Possible sign of cataracts or vision problems.
🔹 Ear scratching or head shaking – Often due to ear infections or mites.
🚨 When to worry: If your dog has persistent discharge, swelling, or foul-smelling ears, see a vet.
9. Difficulty Moving or Limping
If your dog suddenly starts limping or struggles to stand, they could be experiencing pain from an injury, arthritis, or other joint issues.
🔹 Stiffness after resting – Could indicate arthritis, especially in older dogs.
🔹 Holding a paw up – Might suggest a paw injury, nail issue, or joint pain.
🔹 Difficulty jumping or climbing stairs – Could be hip or joint problems.
🚨 When to worry: If your dog is limping for more than a day, is in visible pain, or refuses to put weight on a limb.
10. Bad Breath or Dental Issues
Dog breath is never minty fresh, but excessively bad breath can indicate dental disease, infections, or digestive issues.
🔹 Red or bleeding gums – A sign of gum disease.
🔹 Brown buildup on teeth – Could be tartar or tooth decay.
🔹 Drooling or reluctance to eat – Might indicate dental pain.
🚨 When to worry: If your dog is struggling to chew, losing weight, or has extremely foul-smelling breath.
When to Call the Vet
🚨 If your dog shows any of these serious symptoms, seek immediate veterinary help:
✔ Difficulty breathing
✔ Uncontrollable vomiting or diarrhoea
✔ Seizures or collapse
✔ Sudden paralysis
✔ Severe bloating (could be bloat, a life-threatening emergency)
For less urgent issues, monitor your dog closely for 24 hours and contact your vet if symptoms persist.
Final Thoughts: Knowing Your Dog’s Normal
One of the best ways to spot illness early is to know your dog’s normal behaviour and routines. Regular vet check-ups, a balanced diet, and plenty of exercise will help keep them in top shape.
If you ever have a gut feeling that something isn’t right, trust your instincts—you know your dog better than anyone!
