Making sure your dog is healthy is an essential aspect of being a pet owner. While your furry friend can’t tell you when they are not feeling well, they will exhibit certain behaviors and symptoms that will alert you to their condition. To ensure you can provide timely pet care, below are a few common indications of illness in dogs.

How to Tell if a Dog Is Sick

1. Bad Breath

Although your pup probably doesn’t have minty, fresh breath, it shouldn’t be particularly smelly. If the bad breath accompanies red gums and excessive drooling, your dog could have gingivitis. However, it might also be a symptom of diabetes or kidney disease. If there are no recent changes to your dog’s food or treats, visit your veterinarian for a pet care checkup to see what might be the culprit for these issues. 

2. Low Activity

Under normal situations, dogs will pant after exercise to eliminate extra body heat and cool down. Afterward, they will replenish these fluids by drinking a lot of water, and then typically go outside to urinate.

However, if your dog is visiting their water bowl regularly but hasn’t been active or in hot weather, they could be losing too much water for another reason. This can be a sign of diabetes, kidney failure, or Cushing’s syndrome, which is a disease that causes the adrenal glands to produce too much cortisol. Visit your veterinarian to diagnose the issue. It could be as simple as your dog is bored and drinking water gives them something to do. 

3. Irregular Sleeping

Dogs tend to spend about 50% of their day asleep and another 30% resting in some capacity. However, their breed, age, and weight can alter their activity level. 

If you notice your dog is more lethargic or restless than normal, you should investigate any recent changes to their lives. A diet tweak or change in their schedule could cause extra stress. However, it could also be something more serious like a heart condition or thyroid problem. If your dog doesn’t begin acting normally after a few days, visit a pet care professional for a checkup.

If your furry friend doesn’t seem like their usual self, bring them to Dothan Animal Hospital. Since 1943, this veterinary clinic has been providing quality pet care services to cats and dogs in Houston County, AL, and throughout the Tri-State area. Their highly trained team provides the best possible wellness and preventative care. View their complete list of services on the website. Call (334) 793-9779 to schedule an appointment.