How To Tell If Your Dog Is Sick: Top Signs To Watch For

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Whether you’re a new dog owner or you’ve had dogs your whole life, sometimes a dog will act out of sorts and leave you wondering what they’re thinking or feeling and what’s causing their strange behaviour... Even if you suspect something is wrong, you may not know how to tell if they are actually sick, what a sick dog looks or acts like, or whether it’s actually worth a trip to the vets. While some symptoms of illness, such as vomiting or diarrhoea, can be obvious, many sickness behaviours in dogs can be easy to miss if you don't know what to look for. Here are a few symptoms and signs that can help you figure out if your dog could be unwell, and when you should consider contacting your veterinarian.

1: Changes in your dog’s eating habits and appetite

Most dogs will rarely miss a meal or special treat, especially when you put it in front of them. If your dog turns up their nose at their breakfast or dinner when they're normally gobbling it down, it's time to pay attention. Many things can cause a dog to stop eating, like nausea, tooth pain, anxiety, viral infections and gut pain. Dogs with mouth pain may look like they want to eat and go to the bowl but then walk away. Dogs that are genuinely off their food because of illness rarely even look at it.

Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian if your dog doesn't eat for more than a day or misses more than two meals.

It’s important to pay attention to appetite changes in the opposite direction, too. Increases in appetite could be a sign of parasitic worm infestation or metabolic diseases like diabetes or Cushing’s disease. 

2: They're just lying aroundBirds eye view of small fluffy dog laying on oak hardwood floor with toys scattered around them.

If you notice that your dog is sleeping more, dragging behind on walks, uninterested in play, or not playing as much as they used to, then something might be wrong. Sometimes, it's just too hot outside to play and exercise. When the temperatures rise, dogs are naturally a little more lazy. On the other hand, if it's not hot, then this behaviour indicates that something more may be at play.

There are many things that can cause a loss of energy in a dog. Any kind of infection, whether it be viral, bacteria or fungal, can cause loss of energy. Heart disease or breathing problems of any kind can make a dog feel tired. Hormonal disorders, such as low thyroid function, can cause increased lethargy. Obesity can cause a dog to sleep more because it is exhausting to get around. Obesity can also lead to things like osteoarthritis (OA), also called degenerative joint disease, making it more painful for your dog to run and play. This can create a frustrating cycle where your dog may struggle to exercise, gain more weight and exercise even less. If your veterinarian suggests that your dog is obese, it is important to take their advice and work with them on a weight loss plan. Cancer, liver disease, kidney disease and neurological conditions such as seizures or canine cognitive dysfunction can also make a dog seem tired.

If your dog is getting up there in years, you might also think that they’re moving less due to old age. While it is true that dogs slow down as they get older, it doesn't mean they should stop moving altogether. Senior dogs (aged seven years and older) are still very capable of getting around and exercising. If your older dog doesn't seem to play like they used to, it's probably worth a call to the veterinarian to have them checked and rule out any possible ailments. As your dog ages, your veterinarian will likely want to perform additional tests to ensure your dog stays in tip-top shape.

Pain can also masquerade as loss of energy. Gastrointestinal problems that cause a painful belly can make a dog act lethargic, and if a dog is in pain from arthritic joint disease, the pain may just manifest as sleeping more.

The bottom line is that increased sleeping or apparent laziness can definitely signal a problem. If it lasts for more than a day, call your vet. It's always better to be proactive and call your vet than wonder if your dog is sick for days.

3: They're drinking a lot of water

If you notice that your dog is constantly draining the water bowl, asking to be let out more often, or having accidents in the house, then your dog might be sick. Drinking a lot from excessive thirst is called polydipsia. Some of the common causes of polydipsia include hormonal conditions such as diabetes mellitus or hyperadrenocorticism, also known as Cushing's disease, says the PDSA. Kidney disease and severe uterine infections can also cause a dog to drink more. If you notice that your dog is drinking more than normal, it's not hot outside and the behaviour lasts more than a day or two, call your vet and make an appointment.

4: Weight changes

Both weight gain and loss can be signs of various illnesses. It’s really important to regularly weigh your dog throughout their life. Most vet clinics will happily let you pop in to weigh your dog for free. It’s a good way to get them to feel comfortable at the clinic and lets you spot subtle changes in their weight before anything gets too severe. Try to weigh them at least once a month.

Weight loss can be hard to detect, especially if your dog has long hair. Dogs lose weight for one of two reasons: either they aren't eating or absorbing enough nutrients, or they’re burning too many calories. Cancer, diabetes, liver disease and kidney disease, as well as other diseases such as intestinal disease, all cause weight loss. If you see weight loss or start to notice that your dog's ribs or hips are sticking out more than usual, then your dog could be sick and should be examined by your veterinarian.

What about your dog’s dry nose?

Lots of people still expound the myth of the dog’s wet or dry nose! There is no truth that a dry nose means an ill dog or vice versa. In fact, the moisture of your dog’s nose may vary throughout the day. Although some diseases can affect the nose, whether it is wet or dry is not usually relevant. You can read more about noses here!

Know what’s normal for your dog

The best way to tell if something is wrong is to know how your dog behaves normally, including their eating, drinking, urinating and defecating patterns, as well as what their normal stool looks like and what their normal energy level is. When petting your dog, feel all over and look for anything out of the ordinary, like rashes, lumps and bumps. There are ways to easily test if your dog is at a normal weight, so be sure to test your dog’s weight status at home regularly.

You know your dog better than anyone, and if something makes you wonder if there is something wrong with them or they might be sick, trust your gut and enlist the help of your veterinarian.

Contributor Bio

Dr. Sarah Wooten

Dr. Sarah Wooten

A 2002 graduate of UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Sarah Wooten is a well-known international speaker in the veterinary and animal health care spaces. She has 10 years experience in public speaking and media work, and writes for a large number of online and print animal health publications. Dr. Wooten has spoken in the veterinary education space for five years, and speaks on leadership, client communication, and personal development. Dr. Wooten is also a certified veterinary journalist, a member of the AVMA, and has 16 years experience in small animal veterinary practice. In addition to being a speaker, author, veterinarian, and co-creator of the wildly popular card game 'Vets Against Insanity', she co-owns Elevated Eateries Restaurant group in Greeley with her husband of 21 years, and together they are raising three slightly feral mini-humans. When it is time to play, she can be found skiing in Colorado, diving with sharks in the Caribbean, or training kenpo karate in her local dojo. Go big...or go home. To learn more, visit drsarahwooten.com.

 

Reviewed by Dr. Hein Meyer, DVM, PhD, Dipl-ECVIM-CA