Is my dog sick? That’s a question our dogs (sadly) can’t answer for us. And since they’re good at hiding what’s bothering them in the early stages of sickness or disease, it can be hard to tell if they’re not doing well. But you know your furry friend like no one else, and can sense if things are not quite right. For example, has your dog stopped eating? Started sleeping more? Is your buddy acting strange? In this guide, we’ll talk about what signs of illness in dogs to look for, symptoms and potential causes, and what to do to prevent and treat illness.
Table of contents
- How to tell if your dog is sick?
- Symptoms and signs of illness in dogs
- Lethargy, sleepiness, not moving much
- Dog not sleeping well
- Dog sleeps all day
- Dog throwing up
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- What to feed a sick dog with no appetite
- Changes in urination
- Drinking too much or too little water
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Trouble walking
- Behavioral changes
- Difficulty breathing
- Sneezing or runny nose
- Pale or discolored gums
- Fever
- Itching, gnawing or hair loss
- Lethargy, sleepiness, not moving much
- Most common dog diseases: symptoms and treatment
- How to prevent illness in dogs
- How to treat a sick dog
How to tell if your dog is sick?
If you’re wondering “Is my dog sick?“, the first thing to do is check if your pup is acting like their usual self. Like us humans, dogs tend to act differently if something is wrong with them. They may become less interested in food, not be excited about play-time, or be less active in general. You might also see changes in their sleep patterns.
So if something feels out of the ordinary, it might be time to talk to the vet.
But how to keep track of behavior changes? Just observing your dog can tell you loads, but a Tractive GPS tracker can help you see (with numbers) whether your dog’s been moving about less, taking more naps, or getting less sleep than usual. That’s because Tractive GPS offers activity and sleep tracking in addition to real-time location. It can also be useful information for your vet to know!
Symptoms and signs of illness in dogs
Dog sickness can take on all forms, ranging from the harmless (like when a dog eats grass) to serious (like rabies or cancer). Symptoms depend on the type and cause of the illness. The following list of signs of illness in dogs explains the most common warning signals that you have a sick dog and they may need veterinary care.
