One of the most difficult things you may go through as a pet owner is to see your dog fall ill. It is a natural occurrence and something that will happen at some point in their lives, but to spot the warning signs early can help to diagnose problems as soon as possible and treat them sooner rather than later.
It’s likely that you spend a lot of time with your dog and you understand the ins and outs of their behavior. Their behavior is generally pretty consistent throughout their lives so if they start to develop new habits or act out of character, this may be a warning sign that something could be wrong. This is one of the first indications that your dog is not feeling well, and something you will pick up on early if you understand the daily behaviors of your pet. If you notice something is strange, perhaps they are sleeping for longer periods of time, or getting more irritated than usual, this could be due to an underlying problem so make an appointment to see the vet.
Every animal’s gut can tell a lot about how healthy they are so if you notice some irregularities with your dog’s bowel movements. If their poop seems watery or light in colour, or if they are having more frequent accidents at home, this could be a sign that something is wrong. Again, a trip to the vet as soon as possible will help diagnose any problems they may have.
If you’re noticing that your dog’s appearance is changing, perhaps they are putting on weight or their hair is looking dull, then this might be a sign that something is wrong. This may be caused by simple changes to their lifestyle, perhaps you have recently started a new job and aren’t able to walk them as frequently. This is very common especially in bigger cities, so if this is the case then there are plenty of dog walking London companies out there you could consider to keep your dog healthy and active.
It may be the case that there is something physically wrong with your dog. If they are in pain then perhaps you may notice that they are limping or crying when enduring activity. This may be as a result of too much physical exercise, rough play with another dog or perhaps a more serious underlying problem. If you see anything like this it is absolutely crucial to see a vet to get it checked out before it develops into something much more serious.
A lot of these problems may be more common in certain breeds of dogs, so it is important to do your research about the breed of dog you’ll be getting before you choose your pet. If you are adopting a dog rather than buying directly from a breeder then you may not know their breed, so you’ll have to do some additional research to try to get to know your dog better. If specific health problems are more common in certain breeds, then knowing in advance what signs to look for will be beneficial to spot them early.