Important Signs That Mean Your Dog Is Sick
We do everything we can for our four-legged friends. We feed them, wash them, take them out for walks, and care for them when they’re sick. They may not be able to tell us that they appreciate it, but it still seems like they do. Having a sick dog can be stressful for any owner, especially if your dog’s illness has made them behave differently. Here, we’ll take a look at some important signs that mean your dog is sick, so you can be prepared the next time they feel unwell.
Personality Changes
One of the more concerning signs that your dog could be sick is a change in their overall personality. A dog’s behavior changes based on the physical state of their body, and it’s usually easy to tell when something is off. A dog that loves people may begin to shy away from others, whereas a calm, laid-back dog might become angry or snippy. Keep an eye out to see if there is any place on your dog’s body that they don’t want you to get close to, as that can be a sign that something is wrong in that area.
Elimination Trouble
This one should stick out like a sore thumb. If your dog is house-trained but has suddenly started going to the bathroom in the house, this may be a sign that they are feeling unwell. Look for changes when your dog does their business. Do they appear constipated, or have they had diarrhea for longer than 48 hours? These signs can indicate that your dog is having a tough time with some kind of illness.
Appetite Loss
Most dog owners know how ravenous dogs can be for their food. Even if your dog doesn’t normally try to steal food from your plate, a change in the way they approach food may indicate that something is wrong. A sick dog will normally shy away from eating too much or anything at all. Water consumption can also indicate a change, whether they are drinking more or less water than usual. If your dog is no longer excited to eat their food, it might be time to take them to the vet.
Unexplained Weight Loss
If you’ve recently started to take your dog’s health more seriously, you shouldn’t be alarmed by a little weight loss. However, if there has been no change in your dog’s routine and they are still losing weight, that is cause for concern. If your dog has begun to lose weight for seemingly no reason over a period of a few weeks, it is definitely time to take them to the vet.
You should definitely not ignore these signs. Your dog is a very important part of your family, so you owe it to them to do everything you can to make sure they feel okay.
