How to Tell if Your Dog Feels Under the Weather

If you have a pet dog at home, there’s a good chance you’re familiar with his behaviors and physical characteristics. After all, our furry friends are like part of our family, and it’s easy to pick up on the things they like to do and the patterns they develop. However, if you don’t know much about what a dog is like when he’s not feeling well, or how his behavior might change when he’s sick, you might miss some important symptoms that could indicate that he may be suffering or uncomfortable. Learn about the following signs of sickness in dogs, and you may be able spot if you’re dog’s coming down with something, then bring him to the vet so he can be treated and feeling well as soon as possible.

Changes in Appetite

Most likely, your pup loves to eat! However, if you notice a marked change in his appetite, it could be a sign that something is wrong with his health. Dogs who are much hungrier than normal or much less hungry than normal should be checked out by a vet. A vet can determine what’s causing the change in appetite and help get your dog back to a place where he’s eating a healthy, normal amount.

Digestive Problems

Your dog’s digestive system is a good indicator of his health. If your dog is vomiting, having diarrhea, is constipated, or is experiencing other uncommon digestive issues, then you may want to have him looked at by a vet. Digestive issues can also include bloat or abdominal swelling. Keep track of your dog’s digestive habits if they start to seem off, then you can report them to your vet to give him a better idea of what’s going on with your pup.

Lethargy

Dogs can get sleepy from time to time. But if your dog seems more lethargic than normal, he may be feeling unwell. Dogs who usually are energetic and playful may become withdrawn or uninterested in interacting when sick. If you notice an abnormal amount of lethargy in your dog, have your vet examine him to see if he’s well.

Excessive Thirst

All pups should drink water regularly to stay hydrated. However, if your dog is drinking more water than normal and still seems thirsty, there might be something off with his health. Excessive thirst can be a sign of kidney problems, diabetes and more, so it’s not a symptom to be ignored.

Relentless Scratching

Sometimes your dog is scratching himself because he simply itches. This can be due to regular, every day irritants or something topical, like a flea, which can be prevented with medicines like Sentinel. However, scratching can also be a sign of something worse that is wrong internally, like an allergy, a tumor, or pain that your dog can’t otherwise reach. So, if your dog is scratching and won’t stop, it can pay to make an appointment with your vet.
Having a sick dog at home is no fun, especially because your dog can’t communicate to you what’s wrong. However, if you’re able to learn some of the most common symptoms of dogs illness in dogs, then you can spot with something’s off. By taking your dog to the vet quickly, you can be sure that any health issue is treated right away and that your dog is back to feeling like his normal, happy self in no time.

Listed below are some links to helpful resources as referenced in the article:

https://www.allivet.com/p-1013-sentinel.aspx

https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/dogs-and-compulsive-scratching-licking-and-chewing#1

This post has been sponsored by Sentinel.