Is My Dog Ill? How to Tell

Wouldn’t it be great if your dog could tell you exactly how they feel, or exactly where it hurts? Although our dogs are amazing, they have not quite evolved to have a conversation with us yet. Making it hard to tell when your dog feels poorly, and as changes can be gradual, some illnesses are not easy to spot.

Fortunately, there are some common signs that can indicate your dog is ill, such as vomiting or diarrhoea, loss of appetite, unexplained weight gain or weight loss, or changes in their behaviour. As a pet parent, you know your dog well. Their unique patterns, personality traits, and feeding and toileting behaviours will help you to decipher the more subtle changes that can indicate not all is well.

Vomiting and diarrhoea are the most common clinical signs that your dog may be unwell. Every day vets get asked, why is my dog sick? There is a vast spectrum of causes for vomiting and diarrhoea including bacteria, viruses, food allergies, irritable bowel disease, eating foreign objects, endocrine, and metabolic diseases. The list is long! So how do we know when to worry, and when it's ok to look after them at home?

If your dog has a once-off vomit or a couple of loose stools, it does not necessarily mean they are very unwell. Some causes of vomiting will resolve on their own with some care at home, while others will need surgical intervention. Simple diarrhoea will usually get better in a few days, while persistent or bloody motions can indicate something more serious.

Check in with your dog's behaviour, are they their usual bouncy self, happy, eating and playing, or are they lethargic, off their food, or irritable?

A good rule of thumb is that any vomiting or diarrhoea that is persistent, worsening, or accompanied by another sign of illness should be examined by a vet as soon as possible.

Loss of appetite is another clue that things may not be right with your pup. Some dogs are grazers, some are fussy, and others can give your hoover a run for its money! Despite varying appetites, when a dog stops eating, it’s time to pay attention.

There are many non-medical reasons that a dog may miss a meal here and there. Stress, travel, medications, or visitors can all be common reasons that your dog may not be as hungry as usual.  The key isn’t how much they eat from day to day, but how much their appetite has changed from normal. If your dog usually licks their plate clean every night but is now leaving part of their dinner uneaten it could be a sign they are feeling poorly.

A good guideline to follow is if your pooch has missed two or more meals, or is leaving some food behind at the end of each meal, it is time for a check-up with your veterinarian.

Unexplained weight loss is a well-understood sign of illness in our pets - the key word here is unexplained. If you have been feeding less, exercising more, or your pup was on a diet to counteract the weight gain from the modern-day doggy lifestyle, then we needn’t be concerned. It’s the unexplained weight loss that should raise a red flag, and it can be hard to spot, as it can also creep up on us over many months.

There are many causes of unexplained weight loss, including conditions such as dental disease, gastrointestinal issues, cancer, or even heart disease.

Overfeeding and excess treats or table scraps can easily cause weight gain in our canine companions, but did you know that unexplained weight gain can also indicate underlying illness? Endocrine issues such as diabetes, Cushing’s, and hypothyroidism are all implicated, and even joint pain can cause them to gain weight through a reduction in exercise.

Weight changes can happen slowly over time and can be hard to pick up on when you see your furry friend every day. To help detect any changes early, it can be helpful to weigh them regularly by using scales at home, or the vet clinic. It’s recommended to do this at least once every month or two, and if you are concerned about what the scales say, have a chat with your friendly vet.

Unlike the previous signs of illness, changes in behaviour can be more difficult to identify, but they are usually the first way to tell if your dog is poorly. Dog owners know their pup’s intricate routines and behaviours, so this will have a valuable insight into the small but significant changes that can flag when something isn’t right.

Dogs show they’re in pain by changing their behaviours. For example, a dog that usually leaps into bed with you at night, but is now asking to be picked up instead, or a usually happy, friendly dog that has started to become snappy when you want to move them off the couch. Similarly, metabolic changes in the body can manifest as behavioural problems. You might notice that your dog is splashing water everywhere, you must fill up the water bowl a little more frequently, or they have had a toileting accident inside. Previously well-trained dogs who are now chewing the furniture, or dogs who are eating their kibble one by one instead of all at once, may have sore teeth.

Any unusual deviation from normal behaviour can be a very important way to tell if your dog is unwell. Once you notice any behaviour change, start to keep a close eye on their food and water intake, the way they walk or run, and how they go to the toilet, as you may pick up on early signs of illness that may save their life.

There are many reasons to why your pup may feel under the weather from time to time, but now you’ll have a clearer view on the reasoning for their illness and when to visit the vet. For everything you need for your beloved pup, take a look at all our doggy essentials.