Trying to know what our dogs feel can be difficult sometimes and they can be good at masking their pains for fear of going to the vet. Thankfully canine body language is very expressive and it could help us determine what are dogs are feeling physically and emotionally. Here are some of the signs we should be looking out for.
12. Change In Urination Habits
Chances are you’ve taught your dog where to urinate since puppyhood and that habit doesn’t change suddenly. When you see your dog having difficulty urinating, there’s a change in the amount they urinate, or there’s bleeding, there might be something wrong with their kidneys, bladders, or other problems.
What To Do: Call your vet to set an appointment and save some of the urine as a sample if possible. Also, keep your dog hydrated in the meantime to help flush out whatever is causing the issue.
11. Hairloss And Scratching
Dogs scratch or shed their fur from time to time and can be completely normal but if you see excessive itchiness or hair loss that could be a sign that there’s a problem. Check your dog’s skin for redness, bumps, fleas, mites, scaling, or other signs that are unusual as these could be caused by allergies, insect bites, or skin infections.
What To Do: Giving your dog a bath can usually give him instant relief. But if the problem still continues call your vet to get checked and buy the proper product or medication prescribed.
10. Scooting
Often called “butt surfing”, this action looks funny, disgusting, or cute to us but it could be caused by several things. If your dogs do this regularl, it could be a sign of an infection, parasites, allergies, or abscess. Observe your dogs and if they have difficulty with their bowel movements, foul odor from their rear ends, biting and licking at their backside could be a sign that something is wrong.
What To Do: Keep your dog’s rear end clean by washing it with warm water and soap and drying it with a blower. Call your vet and set up an appointment to have them checked.
9. Unusual Panting
Panting helps your dog keep his temperature down during hot days, but excessive or intense panting could indicate more serious problems. For example, your dog could have consumed something toxic, they could be having a heatstroke, or they have an injury that you haven’t noticed yet.
What To Do: Transfer your dog to a shaded area and try to keep him cool by having a fan pointed at him. Have him drink cool water or give him an ice cube to lick. Having a damp towel over his head, neck, and chest could cool him down as well. If the panting is still isn’t normal go see your vet and have him checked.
8. Bad Breath
Let’s admit it, our dog’s breath doesn’t smell fresh or minty at all, but having a foul odor coming out of your dog’s mouth could mean he has dental problems. If you don’t give your dog proper oral care, it can cause tooth loss, infected gums, or mouth infections. Bad breath could also be a sign of other more serious health problems.
What To Do: Giving your dog’s teeth regular brushing can help prevent bad breath and other dental issues. If your dog’s breath doesn’t change, contact your vet and have him evaluated.
7. Vomiting Or Diarrhea
This is the most common symptom showing there’s something wrong with your dog and it could mean a lot of things. Maybe your dog has swallowed a small object, they’ve too much food, or they’ve gotten in the trash and eaten something they’re not supposed to, like spoiled food scraps. Vomiting or diarrhea could be a sign of something mild or it could be life threatening.
What To Do: According to the American Kennel Club, feed your dog unseasoned boiled chicken and rice with the broth for a day and see if his position gets better. If the problem still occurs after 24 hours, go to your vet and have him evaluated.
6. Loss Of Appetite
Dogs have different eating habits, just like humans. They could have a large meal on some days or they could eat little when they don’t feel like it. However, having a loss of appetite can mean that your dog is sick as well. This could indicate that he has a fever or when paired with the other symptoms in this list, it could mean something more serious.
What To Do: Offer your dog his favorite treat or add some boiled chicken, eggs, pork, or beef to his pellets to see if he eats. If he does, continue giving him added boiled and unseasoned protein for a day or two to entice him to eat more. If he still hasn’t recovered his appetite, go see your vet and have him checked.
5. Loss Of Energy Or Difficulty Walking
Dogs are always known to be active and energetic, but if you see your dog always sleeping or having difficulty moving this could mean that he’s sick. Lethargy is another common symptom that could lead to many illnesses. If your dog who’s always excited for a stroll suddenly doesn’t want to go out or move, it means that they’re feeling something wrong.
What To Do: Let your dog rest for a day. This could mean he is tired from his routine and other physical activities. If the newfound laziness still occurs after 24 hours, have him checked by your vet for examination.
RELATED: 10 Hidden Traps In Your Home That Will Hurt Your Dog
4. Swollen or Red Eyes
Your dog’s eyes are a window to their health, and it should always be bright and clear. If your dog has puffy, red, and swollen eyes or they’re squinting or rubbing it with their paws, it could mean that they’re suffering from eye problems. This could mean anything from mild, like allergies, or entirely serious eye problems, like cataracts or glaucoma.
What To Do: Keep your dog’s eyes clear by dampening a hand towel and lightly rubbing it to their eyes. This gets rid of dirt or dried tears that could be blocking your dog’s vision. But if the symptoms persist after a while, take your dog to the vet and buy any drops or ointments prescribed.
3. Coughing Or Difficulty Breathing
If your dog is coughing, wheezing, having a nasal discharge, or having difficulty breathing, treat it as an emergency, as these are all signs of respiratory problems. This symptom could mean something mild like dog flu, or they could be having kennel cough, heart failure, or tracheal collapse.
What To Do: If your dog has difficulty breathing or a blue tint appears on their tongue and gums, take them to the vet immediately and treat it as a medical emergency. Any breathing difficulty could be life-threatening for a dog if it’s not checked and treated fast.
2. Pale Gums
Gums should be pink and moist for a dog, and if they have pale or almost white gums, it could mean serious health issues. Pale gums can be caused by blood clotting disorders, parasites, pure blood circulation, or shock, and all of them could be life-threatening. Any of these symptoms can lead to heart disease, cancer, internal bleeding, and many more.
What To Do: Treat this as an emergency and rush your pet to the vet right away. Have him checked and do laboratory tests recommended by the vet. Early detection could save your dog’s life.
RELATED: Top 10 Dog Breeds With The Highest Cancer Rate
1. Behavioral Changes
Watch your dog and see if there are any changes in their behavior when you’re around. If they get aggressive or nippy when you touch a certain body part, hiding when you or someone else is around, or being clingy could all indicate that something is amiss. If dogs don’t feel well they will express it with lethargy or be socially withdrawn. This sign is behavioral and is the hardest to spot when compared to the other signs in this list, so it’s important that you must keep an eye on your dog constantly and observe these subtle changes.
What To Do: Observe your dog’s behavior along with signs of other symptoms. They will growl, cry, or whimper when they are not feeling well and any of these could warrant a visit to the vet immediately.
From The Club
It’s sad that our pets can’t talk to us directly and tell us how they feel. But for me, being diligent and observant can go a long way in keeping them happy and healthy. If we can provide them with the proper care and regular vet visits, we can prevent and cure some of the diseases before they get them.