If you own a dog, it’s wise to know what the signs are that they are unhealthy – the sooner you can spot an issue, the sooner you can take them to a vet and get them the help they need.
As part of your preparation for getting a dog, it’s always a good idea to investigate the signs and symptoms that might be unhealthy in some way, because the last thing you’ll want is for your beloved pet to suffer. If you’re at that stage now or already have a dog and need to know if they’re healthy, here are some of the things you should be looking out for.
How To Know If Your Dog Is Unhealthy: Physical Signs
Dogs are actually experts at hiding any sickness or even any physical injury from their owners because it can be a sign of weakness or vulnerability. That doesn’t mean they think you’ll hurt or mistreat them because they’re unwell; it comes instead from pure instinct. That doesn’t help when you’re trying to work out if they’re healthy or not, of course, so you’ll need to be extremely observant if you ever think anything is wrong.
One of the things you’ll need to look out for includes a change in your appetite. If your dog is suddenly eating a lot more or a lot less than usual, this can be a symptom of a variety of health issues, from dental problems to digestive disorders; it can even be a sign of worms.
As long as you are feeding your dog healthy food and you’ve researched the best kind by asking questions such as, can dogs eat lamb, you’ll know it’s not their food that’s causing them this issue with appetite, and it’s likely to be something to do with their health.
You also need to look out for general lethargy and tiredness or lack of energy from your dog, as it might be they’re feeling poorly or in pain and can’t move around as much as they normally would.
Other important things to look out for include breathing problems, vomiting, and diarrhea, all of which can be symptoms of some nasty conditions. It may well be nothing – dogs will dig around in the ground and eat all kinds of things they shouldn’t when you’re not looking, and that can make them unwell – but it could be something, and getting an expert opinion from a Temecula veterinarian is the best course of action.
Coat And Skin 
Something that might be easier to spot than some of the physical symptoms above (especially because dogs will try to hide those symptoms) is your pet’s coat and skin. These can be perfect indicators of their health, and if they’re not looking their best, there could be a problem (even if there are no other symptoms).
Dry or flaky skin, for example, can mean your dog has allergies or other skin conditions that need attention before they become too uncomfortable. Hair loss is another big issue, and whether it’s bald patches or excess shedding, it might mean a bigger problem is at play.
One thing that’s a sign of a painful problem for your poor pooch is sore, red areas, which could be swollen or end up as open sores if the dog bites and scratches at them too much. Don’t wait until this happens; book an appointment with a vet as soon as possible.
Behavioural Changes
Changes in your dog’s behavior are a sure sign of a problem with their health, especially if they start to become aggressive or difficult to handle when they were happy and affectionate pets.
Sudden aggression and irritability can be a direct response to being in pain, and whether it happens when you touch them or just because they think you’re about to, the result is the same, and it might be dangerous in the long run – you don’t want to get bitten or run the risk of your family and friends getting hurt, plus you’ll want to make sure your dog is okay.
What happens in the evenings? Perhaps your dog used to settle down with you and rest while you watched TV or got ready for bed, but now they can’t seem to lie still, and they’re just constantly pacing around – that can be another sign that your dog’s unhealthy. Or if they don’t want to be around you at all, even though they were previously extremely friendly, you’ll need to work out how to get them better as this is a big switch, and it’s likely down to an illness or injury.
