Some easy ways to tell that your pet may be unwell
Not eating properly
If your pet normally pigs out on their dinner but suddenly seems to have lost their appetite, it’s usually a sign that all is not well inside. They may have something as mild as a tummy upset, which usually includes vomiting and/or diarrhoea; some sort of infection making them unwell; or something very serious like liver or kidney disease. These are just a few of the many things which can make your pet turn their nose up at food. When your pet stops eating, it usually means something is wrong, so if they miss two meals in a row, get them to a vet for testing straight away.
If your pet normally pigs out on their dinner but suddenly seems to have lost their appetite, it’s usually a sign that all is not well inside. They may have something as mild as a tummy upset, which usually includes vomiting and/or diarrhoea; some sort of infection making them unwell; or something very serious like liver or kidney disease. These are just a few of the many things which can make your pet turn their nose up at food. When your pet stops eating, it usually means something is wrong, so if they miss two meals in a row, get them to a vet for testing straight away.
Weight Loss or Weight Gain
Weight loss or weight gain is normal when you change the amount of food or exercise your pet is getting. Other sudden changes in weight, however, can be a sign something is wrong. An animal with the wrong levels of chemicals in its blood can put on weight even though it is eating very little, and a pet who is eating food that does not give them a good balance of nutrients can lose weight quickly. Animals can also lose weight when they have a serious illness. Animals who have long illnesses where they aren’t eating properly can also lose weight fast, so if your pet has been sick for a while, it’s important to encourage them to eat just a little bit each day. Again, if you notice your pet putting on weight fast or losing it fast, and it is not because of a change in their food or exercise levels, you need to see a vet quickly.
Weight loss or weight gain is normal when you change the amount of food or exercise your pet is getting. Other sudden changes in weight, however, can be a sign something is wrong. An animal with the wrong levels of chemicals in its blood can put on weight even though it is eating very little, and a pet who is eating food that does not give them a good balance of nutrients can lose weight quickly. Animals can also lose weight when they have a serious illness. Animals who have long illnesses where they aren’t eating properly can also lose weight fast, so if your pet has been sick for a while, it’s important to encourage them to eat just a little bit each day. Again, if you notice your pet putting on weight fast or losing it fast, and it is not because of a change in their food or exercise levels, you need to see a vet quickly.
Short Temper and Just a Bit Grumpy
When you are sick, you probably feel pretty grumpy – and animal are no different. Animals who have a lot of pain, like arthritis, may seem to be trying to bite, but they may actually be trying to keep people and other animal away so that they don’t create further pain and discomfort. There are many ways you can help your pet if they are in pain. If your pet suddenly becomes grouchy, take them to your vet to see if there is a medical reason.
When you are sick, you probably feel pretty grumpy – and animal are no different. Animals who have a lot of pain, like arthritis, may seem to be trying to bite, but they may actually be trying to keep people and other animal away so that they don’t create further pain and discomfort. There are many ways you can help your pet if they are in pain. If your pet suddenly becomes grouchy, take them to your vet to see if there is a medical reason.
Lack of Energy or Excitement
When an animal is very sick, they will often act dull, lazy and not very interested in things they would normally like. They may seem unwilling to do normal activities such as play or walks, and avoid being with people, often finding a quiet place to lie down away from any noise or activity. If you have a busy family life, this is a sign of illness that can quite easily go unnoticed. Try to be aware of any changes in your pet’s behaviour and if you think your pet is acting more quiet and less playful than usual, seek a vet's advice.
When an animal is very sick, they will often act dull, lazy and not very interested in things they would normally like. They may seem unwilling to do normal activities such as play or walks, and avoid being with people, often finding a quiet place to lie down away from any noise or activity. If you have a busy family life, this is a sign of illness that can quite easily go unnoticed. Try to be aware of any changes in your pet’s behaviour and if you think your pet is acting more quiet and less playful than usual, seek a vet's advice.
Fever
Like people, fever (a high temperature) is one of the basic signs of sickness in an animal, although, your pet won’t always have a fever when they are sick. But when you do notice a fever (a body temperature over 39 degrees), you can be sure your pet is ill. Fever is usually because of an infection, as the body’s response to an infection is to ‘stoke the furnace’ (make the fire hotter), which helps stop the infection spreading more. Remember not to take your pet’s temperature immediately after exercise, as it’s normal for it to be slightly higher than normal at this time. Only take your pet’s temperature while they have been resting. As with any health concern, seek a vet's advice as soon as possible if their temperature is too high.
Like people, fever (a high temperature) is one of the basic signs of sickness in an animal, although, your pet won’t always have a fever when they are sick. But when you do notice a fever (a body temperature over 39 degrees), you can be sure your pet is ill. Fever is usually because of an infection, as the body’s response to an infection is to ‘stoke the furnace’ (make the fire hotter), which helps stop the infection spreading more. Remember not to take your pet’s temperature immediately after exercise, as it’s normal for it to be slightly higher than normal at this time. Only take your pet’s temperature while they have been resting. As with any health concern, seek a vet's advice as soon as possible if their temperature is too high.
Excessive Shedding or Moulting
During times of sickness, or more particularly the stress that goes with sickness, animals can shed more hair than normal. If your pet companion is shedding more hair than usual, especially if he has flaky skin, they may be experiencing illness. Look for other signs of illness before rushing to the vet, though, because it is normal for an animal to shed more seasonally, in the spring and autumn, and it can also be a sign of improper feeding habits.
During times of sickness, or more particularly the stress that goes with sickness, animals can shed more hair than normal. If your pet companion is shedding more hair than usual, especially if he has flaky skin, they may be experiencing illness. Look for other signs of illness before rushing to the vet, though, because it is normal for an animal to shed more seasonally, in the spring and autumn, and it can also be a sign of improper feeding habits.
Vomiting
Dogs are very smart, and don’t leave something in their stomachs anything that doesn’t feel good. In fact, they have a voluntary muscle action that allows them to vomit if they want to. Most other animals are the same. If your pet vomits for a period of more than 24 hours, a vet visit is very important, especially if they have also stopped drinking water. Animals can survive without food for a longer period than they can live without water. An animal that hasn't drunk enough water can get very sick, very quickly, so if your pet has not been drinking for more than 24 hours, get them to the vet immediately.
Dogs are very smart, and don’t leave something in their stomachs anything that doesn’t feel good. In fact, they have a voluntary muscle action that allows them to vomit if they want to. Most other animals are the same. If your pet vomits for a period of more than 24 hours, a vet visit is very important, especially if they have also stopped drinking water. Animals can survive without food for a longer period than they can live without water. An animal that hasn't drunk enough water can get very sick, very quickly, so if your pet has not been drinking for more than 24 hours, get them to the vet immediately.
Dry or Sloppy Poos
Your pet’s stools (poos) are an important and easy way of checking on their health. They should be firm and hold together when you pick them up with a shovel or plastic bag. They should not be so dry that they come out in lots of small pellets (unless they are a rabbit, rat, guinea pig or ferret), or are very, very hard – this is a sign that your pet is having trouble pooing easily. If the stools are so loose that they form cow patty shaped piles or liquid pools, then your pet has diarrhoea – a sign that the intestine is unable to properly use the water that’s in the intestine, which can lead to dehydration. If your pet experiences diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, take them to the vet.
Your pet’s stools (poos) are an important and easy way of checking on their health. They should be firm and hold together when you pick them up with a shovel or plastic bag. They should not be so dry that they come out in lots of small pellets (unless they are a rabbit, rat, guinea pig or ferret), or are very, very hard – this is a sign that your pet is having trouble pooing easily. If the stools are so loose that they form cow patty shaped piles or liquid pools, then your pet has diarrhoea – a sign that the intestine is unable to properly use the water that’s in the intestine, which can lead to dehydration. If your pet experiences diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, take them to the vet.
Drinking Too Much or Not Enough Water
Your pet needs access to clean water at all times! Animals can be different from each other in the amount of water they drink, so knowing how much water your pet normally drinks and monitoring their normal water drinking habits is important. Of course, you don’t have to actually measure how much water they drink, just have a good idea of how often you need to refill the water bowl, container or bucket. Animals who are sick may not want to drink much water. This is usually along with not wanting to eat much, and possibly vomiting. Animals may also refuse to drink when they are excited or stressed, for example, when travelling, but should start drinking again when things are back to normal. More than normal water drinking, on the other hand, can be a sign of fever, kidney failure, blood chemical disturbances and other serious illnesses. If your pet has started drinking a lot more, or a lot less, than usual, take them to the vet for a check up.
Your pet needs access to clean water at all times! Animals can be different from each other in the amount of water they drink, so knowing how much water your pet normally drinks and monitoring their normal water drinking habits is important. Of course, you don’t have to actually measure how much water they drink, just have a good idea of how often you need to refill the water bowl, container or bucket. Animals who are sick may not want to drink much water. This is usually along with not wanting to eat much, and possibly vomiting. Animals may also refuse to drink when they are excited or stressed, for example, when travelling, but should start drinking again when things are back to normal. More than normal water drinking, on the other hand, can be a sign of fever, kidney failure, blood chemical disturbances and other serious illnesses. If your pet has started drinking a lot more, or a lot less, than usual, take them to the vet for a check up.
Limping
Animals can often suffer minor injuries through excitable play and activity. They can tear ligaments, stretch muscles, get bruises, and even break bones, just like people do. An animal who is lame (can't put weight on their leg properly - limp) will try to get the weight off the painful leg by reducing the amount of time spent on the leg, therefore changing the way they walk. If your pet becomes lame, you can make sure they rest for 24 hours to see if there is any improvement. If they are still experiencing lameness after the rest period, take them to the vet. Don’t wait several days after a possible injury to see a vet, as your pet may begin to use the leg again even though there is already damage to the bones, ligaments or muscles, and this might cause long term pain later in life, or do more damage to the injury they already have.
Animals can often suffer minor injuries through excitable play and activity. They can tear ligaments, stretch muscles, get bruises, and even break bones, just like people do. An animal who is lame (can't put weight on their leg properly - limp) will try to get the weight off the painful leg by reducing the amount of time spent on the leg, therefore changing the way they walk. If your pet becomes lame, you can make sure they rest for 24 hours to see if there is any improvement. If they are still experiencing lameness after the rest period, take them to the vet. Don’t wait several days after a possible injury to see a vet, as your pet may begin to use the leg again even though there is already damage to the bones, ligaments or muscles, and this might cause long term pain later in life, or do more damage to the injury they already have.