9 Signs that Tell You Your Dog is Sick

Dogs are intelligent and sentient beings. They are brave and true companions who never leave their human’s side.

No matter how hard things might get, they stand fast with their human pack members through thick and thin.        

The hold dogs have on the human heart can only be described by a person who has loved and lost a furbaby.

As amazing as dogs are, they stay with us for only a short time. After all, their lives are much shorter than ours.

If you’ve ever had a dog, you might have noticed that when they get sick, things get worse quickly. But the truth is, they often display sick dog symptoms.

We just miss out on those subtle signs of a sick dog. Then we think that the dog got really sick, really quickly. And there was nothing we could have done to help them.

In some cases, in the initial days of sickness, the signs may just not be there. And unfortunately, there is no way for the dogs to express their discomfort through words.

As vocal as some puppers may be, they can’t tell you when they are sick.

So, the question is “how do dogs act when they are sick”? If you own a dog, then go through these signs that tell you your dog is sick.    

It would help you catch your dog’s illness on time and take them to the vet. And possibly, even help in saving their lives.

1. Excessive Thirst or Urination.

Be it humans or canines, there is a certain amount of water that an individual drinks in a single day.

The number of times your dog urinates in a day is also something that you can keep a track of.

If you are a pet parent, tracking your dog’s water drinking schedule and bathroom habits is quite important.

Why? You may ask.          

It is because when your dog drinks more water than usual, it is a sign that your dog is sick. Urinating more frequently is also one of the signs of a sick dog.      

2. Vomiting or Diarrhea.

Sometimes, dogs may end up vomiting when they eat something they are not supposed to.

There are many instances where dogs get diarrhea after eating something they are allergic to.

It may not be a life or death situation every time your furbaby vomits or gets loose motion.

Still, it is best to consult the vet if your dog continues to vomit or have diarrhea for more than 24 hours.

Vomiting and diarrhea are two important signs of illness in dogs that you absolutely must not ignore.      

3. Lack of Appetite.

Due to a change in seasons or because of hot weather, your dog might refuse to eat a meal.    

Anyone with a pet dog knows that it is not so unusual for dogs to ‘fast’ from time to time.

However, if your dog refuses to eat for more than 24 hours, it is a cause for concern.

A lack of appetite is a subtle sign of a sick dog. And hence, it is something that you can easily miss.

So, if you are a new pet owner, learn to track your dog’s eating habits. This way, you’ll notice when your dog is not eating as much as they usually do.  

4. Red or Swollen Gums.

One of the major symptoms of a sick dog is red or swollen gums. It is often accompanied by bad breath.

Bad breath and swollen gums are common symptoms of gum disease in dogs.

However, these two symptoms can be caused by some other illness in dogs as well.

When the condition of the swollen gums gets too severe, your pooch might lose their teeth.

The inability to eat properly might make them lose a considerable amount of weight.

This in turn can lead to other health complications in your dog.

So, it is best to take your little darling to the vet the moment you first notice any sign of gum disease.                  

5. Changes in Weight.

A subtle but important symptom of a sick dog is changes in their weight.

If your pupper starts to lose weight and continues to lose weight over a period of 2-4 weeks, then it is a cause for concern.

If your doggo suddenly starts to gain weight without any changes in their diet, then also something might be wrong with their health.  

If any of the two things happen, you need to consult your pet’s vet for advice and timely treatment.        

6. Runny Nose or Eyes.

The next entry on this list is an obvious symptom of illness in dogs.        

Runny nose, misty eyes, gasping, panting and shortness of breath are all signs of respiratory diseases in dogs.

If these symptoms of dog illness persist for more than 24 hours, take your furry family member to the vet.                

7. Unusual Tiredness.

Most dogs usually have a lot of energy. They all need to indulge in some form of exercise everyday.

Depending on the breed and the age of the dog, the amount of exercise a dog needs might vary.

When a dog gets sick, you would notice them go through a spell of unusual tiredness.

If an active and playful dog suddenly starts sleeping a lot, then it is a sign of illness.

When your pet dog seems unusually tired but there are no other obvious signs of dog illness, you should still take your dog to the vet.            

8. Itchy or Flaky Skin.

The condition of a dog’s skin is a good indicator of the dog’s health status.  

A dog’s skin should be smooth. And it should be light pink or black in colour.

Occasional itching or scratching is normal in dogs.

But if your dog keeps scratching his/her skin frequently throughout the day, then your little darling might be suffering from some kind of canine disease.

Skin irritation, lumps and sores are other signs of illness in dogs that you need to watch out for.

Some of the above-mentioned skin conditions are related to tick and flea bites.

Tick and flea bites not only cause skin problems in dogs, but they also transmit various dog diseases.            

9. Fever, Sneezing and Coughing.

Even though fever is a common symptom of illness in dogs, it can easily be missed if you are not familiar with the signs of fever in dogs.

Below in the blog, we’ve mentioned the signs of canine fever.

Sneezing and coughing are other obvious signs that tell you your dog is sick.

Just like us humans, dogs may sometimes sneeze or cough. It may be caused when dust gets in their nose or throat.

But when the dog coughs and sneezes last for more than 24 hours, you need to have your pooch checked out by a vet.

FAQs

How to tell if your dog has a fever?

If you don’t pay close attention, the symptoms of fever in dogs can easily be missed.

Remember that every canine is different. Hence, different dogs would display different symptoms of dog fever.    

So, you need to watch out for these dog fever symptoms— lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, dry nose, coughing, shivering, nasal discharge and depressed mood.              

How often do dogs get sick?

Compared to humans, dogs have a stronger immune system. This is one of the reasons that dogs do not get sick that often.

If your furbaby tends to get sick frequently, take him or her to a vet for a thorough check-up.

Another reason why dogs do not fall sick that often is because most dogs have a higher saliva PH.

Their saliva also contains certain good bacterias that help them in ingesting bacterias that might otherwise make them sick.

Animals, including dogs, usually stay safe from a lot of illnesses that humans are easily affected by. Hence, dogs do not fall sick that often.

Having said that, it is quite possible for a dog to fall sick from time to time. If you notice any of the signs of a sick dog in your doggo, rush to the vet immediately.

How to comfort a sick dog?

Most pets are treated like the child of the family. And they behave in a similar way as well. When a dog gets sick, he or she seeks out comfort among their family members.

But the question is, “how do you comfort a sick dog”? Other than taking a sick dog to a vet, there are other things that you can do to make your dog feel comfortable at home.

The first thing you need to do is make sure that your dog has access to clean drinking water at all times.

After talking to the vet for approval, treat your pupper to their favourite food whenever possible.      

Put extra blankets in the dog bed to make it extra comfy. You can ensure that your little darling’s favourite toy is with them all the time.

Give them a nice relaxing massage if their body is not in pain.

Also, dogs can feel your vibe. Basically, they know what you’re thinking simply by being around you.

So, talk to your dog in a calm voice and assure your sweetheart that he/she will get better soon.    

What is the normal body temperature for dogs?

Have you ever noticed how warm a dog feels whenever they are on your lap? Or the warmth you feel every time you hug your dog?

It is not just because being around dogs makes you happy.              

It is because the normal body temperature of dogs is between 101 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.          

If your dog’s body temperature is above 103° F, it means that he or she has a fever.