It’s sometimes hard to tell when our pets aren’t feeling well. Some act like nothing is wrong, even when they have a severe illness brewing. It only has to happen once for parents to become incredibly paranoid about it happening again.
Although it may be subtle, our pets have ways to tell us. As veterinarian Adam Christman points out in this July 12 video, learning the signs is essential.
Dr. Adam Christman, DVM (@ adam_christman ), reinforces what many parents have experienced: It can be challenging to ascertain when our pets aren’t well. But they may have been showing us signs we might have missed.
Related: 10 Ways to Tell If Your Cat Is Sick
Subtle Signs a Pet Is Sick
1. A decrease in appetite, especially if they are declining treats . He reports, “Animals love to eat. When their appetite is off, usually they are off.” That’s an excellent point.
2. Changes in sleeping patterns . This can be another sign that something is amiss. Restlessness is another way they may show discomfort, revealing pain and distress.
3. Breathing heavily or panting . If we notice this, he advises us to check our pet’s resting respiratory rate. While several factors can cause this, it’s often a sign that something is off.
4. An unusually thirsty dog can also be a warning about their health . If we notice we are filling up the bowl more frequently, it could be because of endocrine or metabolic disturbances.
5. Your gut tells you something is off . He reveals he’s heard countless pet parents describe, “Dr. Christman, something is just off with my pet.” We should take this feeling seriously so we can work with our vet to understand the problem and take steps to correct it.
With my French Bulldog mix, I notice she trembles ever so slightly when she isn’t feeling well. Although it’s not always constant when I see it happening, I know something is wrong, and off to the vet we go.
Parents shared their experiences. One person shared, “So very true! I took my girl six times to the vet complaining there was something wrong with her & she ended up having a burst spleen! Thank you for the information; we are not overprotective as pet parents!” It’s so true. Another person responded, “Number 4 was why I knew something was up with my girl doxie. Kidney disease was the reason. I’ve had her almost a year after her diagnosis, thankfully.” An early diagnosis can make all the difference. Viewer @mike_malibu remarked, “My 7-year-old German Shepard has been panting since she was a puppy. I’ve been to about 6-7 different vets. She’s been checked and tested, and they all say that’s just how she is.” All dogs have their ways, but behavior that is out of the normal is vital to be aware of.
Thankfully, when we learn to read our pets’ signs, we can help them feel better quickly.
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