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Pet ownership is not a walk in the park as you have to pay attention to your dog’s health and wellness 24/7 and know when to see a Vet.
Pet ownership is a great way to stay fit, lower your stress levels, and make sure that you’re never lonely. Having a dog, for instance, can also help you make new friends, engage in outdoor activities, and prevent you from developing bad habits. However, although beneficial, pet ownership is not a walk in the park as you have to pay attention to your dog’s health and wellness 24/7.
It’s your responsibility to always make sure that your dog stays happy and healthy. As a pet owner, you should not only think about the benefits you can enjoy from your furry friend; this relationship should benefit your furry friend as well. Besides, you won’t be able to enjoy the benefits of pet ownership if your dog is always sick.
Aside from making sure that your dog eats right and receives enough exercise, it’s important to take them to vets, like the Sunnyside Veterinary Clinic, the moment you notice any of these signs:
Odd Eating Habits
It’s common for dogs to have unpredictable eating habits. There will be times when they’ll empty their food bowls the moment they’re filled up, and there’ll also be instances when they won’t touch their food bowls throughout the day.
And, while skipping a meal or two is common for dogs, especially if it’s too hot or humid outside, you should be worried when your pooch doesn’t eat for two days straight. Exhibiting odd eating habits is one of the most obvious signs that your dog is suffering from an illness, dental disease, or behavior issues. Avoid making any guesses by taking your dog to a vet the moment you notice that your dog starts to behave strangely around their food.
Excessive Thirst
Water is vital to your dog’s health because it regulates their body temperature and carries nutrients to their cells and organs. Drinking sufficient amounts of water every day is important for your dog to achieve optimal health and wellness. However, if you see yourself refilling their water bowls more often than usual, be wary. Excessive thirst is a tell-tale sign that your dog is developing diabetes and other kidney diseases.
You can tell if your dog is drinking too much water if they have an excessive amount of urine or need to go outside more often than usual. If you have been noticing these occurrences with your dog, opt to take them to the vet as soon as possible.
Dry Or Rough Coat 
The condition of your dog’s coat can speak volumes about their health. In fact, you can tell if a dog is healthy or not by simply touching their coat. Ideally, your dog’s coat should be shiny, soft, and thick. These are some of the characteristics you should look for to determine if your dog is healthy.
If you stroke your dog’s coat and notice that it’s dry, rough, or dull, you should immediately call your vet for an appointment. An unhealthy coat is an indication that something isn’t right with your dog’s health. Usually, these kinds of problems are caused by severe allergy or skin disease. Regardless, it’s always best if you consult with a vet to have the problem diagnosed and treated.
Sluggish And Tired
Dogs are naturally very energetic, especially when they’re young. When you have one at home, expect that you’ll have to play with them for hours just to drain their energy. This is also one of the reasons why pet owners should regularly take their dogs for walks.
If your dog no longer gets excited when you take out their leash or favorite toys, your dog might be suffering from an illness or disease. Lethargy is another common symptom that usually means that your dog has sore muscles or is experiencing fatigue. Leaving these health problems unaddressed can worse and make your dog susceptible to graver conditions.
Make sure that none of these happens by taking your dog to a vet when you notice that they no longer participate in activities that they usually enjoy.
Frequent Vomiting
Occasional vomiting is quite normal among dogs as this is their body’s way of getting rid of substances that don’t agree with their stomachs. In some cases, your dog might even vomit yellow foam whenever their stomach is empty, or when they’re suffering from stomach irritation. Seeing your dog vomit occasionally is not a cause for concern, especially if there are no other changes in their behavior.
However, if you notice that your dog throws up several times in a row, vomits blood, or has a fever, it’s best if you take them to a vet right away. Severe vomiting can cause dehydration, which is why you should seek professional treatment if your dog vomits frequently.
Unusual Stool
The characteristics of your dog’s stool can also give you an idea about the condition of their health. A healthy dog will usually have firm, moist, and small stools. An unhealthy dog, on the other hand, will produce hard stool. If your dog produces the latter, this can be a sign that they are suffering from a dietary problem, dehydration, or maladies. You should visit a vet the moment you see your dog’s stool has the said characteristics.
Aside from these, you should also seek professional help if your dog’s stool has worms, blood, or mucus. The same should also be done if your dog has diarrhea for more than 24 hours and strains when attempting to poop.
Sudden Weight Loss
Dogs also have to maintain a healthy weight as this can lower their risk of high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes, and certain forms of cancer. A healthy weight can also reduce your dog’s risk of injuries to the muscles, joints, and bones.
But, regardless of how overweight your dog today is, you should still pay attention to how fast they lose weight. Sudden weight loss can indicate that your dog is suffering from a serious health condition, something that should be addressed by a vet right away. If your dog’s weight drops by at least 10% (for big dogs) or loses one pound (for small dogs), bring them to the vet the soonest possible time.
Cloudy Or Red Eyes
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to have years of experience as a pet owner to be able to determine how your dogs are feeling. More often than not, physical signs are obvious, and one of these signs can be seen in their eyes.
Spend some time to check the condition of your dog’s eyes. Cloudy or red eyes or excessive discharge from your dog’s eyes should prompt you to visit your vet as soon as possible. Any irregularities seen on your dog’s eyes can usually mean that your dog has an injury or infection. When left untreated, these injuries and infections can possibly result in blindness.
Gums Are In A Different Color 
As mentioned, there are many physical signs that can tell you about your dog’s health. Aside from their eyes, it’s also important that you check the color of their gums.
Ideally, your dog should have pink gums. If you notice that the color of your dog’s gums is nowhere near pink and is actually red, purple, blue, or white, consult with the vet right away. Seeing white gums is a sign that your dog is suffering from anemia or acute blood loss. This problem should be immediately addressed to prevent it from worsening and affecting other parts of your dog’s body.
Sudden Aggressiveness
A fur parent and their dog can create a healthy bond if the two have been together for years. If you have been looking after the same dog, your furry friend might already be accustomed to your smell and would love to cuddle next to you. Sure, there will be instances when your dog gets out of hand, but, as a pet owner, it should be easy for you to control their behavior.
However, if your dog suddenly begins to show aggressiveness towards you without any reason, you should be wary as this is usually a sign that your dog is in pain. Does your dog growl when you touch a certain part of their body? Or, do they react defensively when you try to stroke their body? If the aggressiveness persists for days, schedule a check-up with a vet as soon as possible.
Choose Carefully
Vets play an important role in your life as a pet owner. With a vet, it’ll be very easy to diagnose and treat any health problems your dog might have. Vets have the necessary experience and training to keep your pet pooch healthy for the longest time possible.
If you haven’t worked with a vet in the past, make sure to scout for at least three options in your area and only entrust your furry friend with someone who is licensed and experienced. By doing so, you’ll have peace of mind, knowing that your dog is in good hands once you’re able to find the best vet!
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Down to earth, common sense, proven DOG advice
Welcome to Spike’s Dog Blog by Acme Canine. Throughout the site, you will find a variety of helpful dog training articles, insightful dog behavior tips, and truthful product reviews from nationally-recognized canine trainers and professionals.