12 Signs and Symptoms Your Dog Is Sick and What to Do

Reviewed by Dr. Fiona Lee

Your dog normally trots to the door when he sees the leash, eagerly eats dinner and never has accidents in the house—but things have changed, and your happy and well-behaved dog has started showing some unusual (or even naughty) behavior. Before you resort to calling him a “bad dog" and taking away toys, consider this: Your dog not acting normal could actually be a sign of something wrong and sickness might be to blame.

But how do you tell if your dog is sick? Look for these possible symptoms and signs that a dog is sick.

1. Increased or decreased urination

House training your dog was a breeze, and they haven't left a puddle on the living room rug in ages—until now. You might think that your perfectly potty-trained pup is peeing in the house to punish you for a long workday or refusing to serve up a second supper, but something else may be going on.

Potty accidents can be a sign of medical issues. Kidney disease, tumors, infections and spinal cord injuries can all cause incontinence; certain medications could also be to blame. In senior dogs who already struggle to hold their bladders for long stretches of time, hormonal changes can cause an increase in thirst, which in turn can create more urine, causing accidents or incontinence.¹

Watch for the following sick dog symptoms regarding urination:

• Straining to urinate²
• Changes in urine volume (an increase or decrease): Increased urination may be a sign of an issue with the kidneys or even diabetes mellitus.³
• Blood in the urine: Bloody urine can be a sign of a urinary tract infection, bladder stones or blood problem, or a more serious condition like cancer.²

If you see any of these signs of dog sickness, book an appointment with your vet ASAP for a checkup.

2. Vomiting or diarrhea

It happens: Dogs sometimes throw up or have loose stools. But this can also be a sign of a sick dog.

If your dog has one round of vomiting or diarrhea but is otherwise acting and eating normally, it may just be an upset tummy. Monitor symptoms and feed small portions of bland, wet food (such as boiled chicken or cooked hamburger mixed with rice) for a day or two until symptoms improve. Then, gradually reintroduce dry food.

But if these sick dog symptoms continue within or beyond a 24-hour time period and are accompanied by other symptoms (such as weakness, lethargy, loss of appetite or dry heaving), book an appointment with your vet. It could be a sign of something more serious, such as a foreign object that was ingested, viral or bacterial infection or parvovirus infection in puppies.⁴

3. Whimpering

Since your dog can't tell you where it hurts, they might turn to their only method of communication: vocalizing. A dog that whines or whimpers when getting up and down from their dog bed, grunts while going up or down the stairs, or barks more often could be communicating that something hurts.⁵

4. Poor appetite

Loss of appetite can be a sign of a dog not feeling well. However, the level of concern for this symptom largely depends on how food-motivated your dog is. For example, for a dog who normally doesn't finish meals, this may not be that concerning. But for a dog who never misses a meal, this may be an indicator of an underlying illness.

Try feeding your pup a little bit of cooked chicken or hamburger or offering some tasty treats to entice them. If they're still not eating normally after a day or they're showing other symptoms (like lethargy, vomiting and weakness), see your vet.

5. Excessive panting

Panting helps dogs cool down when they're feeling overheated, but constant and intense panting can be a sign that something is wrong with your dog. For instance, your dog may be experiencing heatstroke or a painful injury, or they may have consumed a toxic substance. Serious illnesses—such as heart failure, Cushing's syndrome or respiratory disorders—can also trigger heavy panting in dogs.⁶

If you suspect heatstroke, take the following steps right away:⁶

• Move your dog inside or into the shade and offer water.
• Immerse your dog's feet in cool (not freezing cold) water or wrap cold towels on your dog's chest, neck and head.
• Give your dog cool (not ice cold) water or ice cubes to lick.
• Get to the vet as soon as you can, as heatstroke requires immediate attention.

If you suspect that something else may be at play, book an appointment to see your vet as soon as possible.

6. Coughing or breathing problems

Coughing, wheezing, breathing difficulties and nasal discharge can be signs of a cold virus or dog allergies. However, these sick dog symptoms may also indicate something more serious, such as canine flu, kennel cough, tracheal collapse or heart disease.⁷ If respiratory symptoms continue or are accompanied by other symptoms such as lethargy, book an appointment with a vet.

If your dog struggles to breathe or his tongue and gums look bluish, treat this as a medical emergency and get to the clinic right away!

7. Low energy or difficulty walking or getting up

Dogs are serious sleepyheads that can spend as much as 50 percent of their days asleep, so it may be normal to find your dog snoozing on the sofa or lounging on the linoleum.⁸ However, a noticeable change in their exercise regimen or a dog that doesn't want to exert energy can be signs of a dog not feeling well.

Lethargy is an all-too-common sign of illness in dogs, and it can turn a dog that loves daily walks into one that doesn't want to get out of bed. Plenty of illnesses—from parvovirus and diabetes to hypothyroidism and heart disease—can cause lower energy levels.⁹ Make an appointment with your vet to get to the bottom of their newfound laziness—even if you have to drag your dog out of bed to get them to the clinic.

8. Pale gums

Healthy dogs have pink, moist gums (except for pigmented portions, which can be black!). If the pink portion of your dog's gums is pale, it could be a sick dog symptom. If your dog has pale gums and is also lethargic, weak or struggling to breathe, consider it a medical emergency and get to the clinic.¹⁰

9. Red, runny, sticky or puffy eyes

Your dog's eyes can be a window into how they're feeling. Red eyes, eye discharge, squinting, puffy eyes or sticky eyelids can indicate a range of possible health problems, from allergies to dog conjunctivitis to glaucoma. If your dog is pawing or rubbing at their eyes, take your dog to the vet.¹¹

10. Abnormal behavior

A dog not acting normally can indicate that a dog is sick. Here are a few unusual behaviors to watch for:

Hiding

If your dog scoots under the bed or hides in the closet, it may not be because they're avoiding the bath or nail trims. Dogs often seek out secret locations to mask illness or injury. Look for other signs that your dog isn't feeling well, which can include excessive panting, whimpering, trouble walking, poor appetite, vomiting or other abnormal behaviors. Fear and anxiety can also cause your dog to seek a safe space to hide.¹² If the hiding is a new behavior, veterinary attention is warranted.

Refusing contact or snuggles

Is your dog ignoring your requests to hop up on the couch? Does he move away when you offer belly rubs? In some cases, ignoring commands, taking a defensive posture when you approach or growling when touched can indicate discomfort with physical contact—which can also be a red flag for illness.⁵

Dogs that are in pain can be sensitive to touch. Rule out underlying chronic pain, illnesses or injuries that could make your dog flinch, growl or shudder when you try to pet them or snuggle.¹³

Clingy behavior

Some dogs may become clingy or needy when not feeling well. If your dog is normally pretty self-assured and independent but suddenly becomes your shadow, this could be a sign that something is wrong.

Aggressive behavior

If your normally non-aggressive dog shows aggression—biting, snarling, snapping or growling—for no apparent reason, there could be an underlying medical condition. Infectious diseases (such as rabies), hormonal imbalances, psychomotor epilepsy, hyperkinesis, neoplasia and a variety of genetic and metabolic disorders can be linked to dog aggression.¹⁴ Always look out for your own safety when handling a dog that seems prone to aggression.

Also, painful conditions (such as dental disease or arthritis) and medical conditions causing fever, fatigue or sensory loss might trigger aggression in dogs.¹⁴

Whatever the behavior, your vet can do a thorough physical exam to help figure out why your normally outgoing and affectionate pup has been acting differently.

11. Scooting

No one loves to watch their dog scoot their bottom across the floor. The behavior is gross, but it's also a completely normal way for dogs to address an itchy backside.¹⁵

When scooting goes from an occasional occurrence to a regular behavior—and no amount of saying, “Stop that!" prevents it—pay attention. Dogs scoot when their anal glands are full; scooting can also be a symptom of an infection or abscess causing swelling near the anus, an anal gland mass, tapeworms or other parasites or allergies.¹⁵

Scooting that's accompanied by painful bowel movements, straining to defecate or an increase in itchy skin, licking and biting at their backside, foul odor from their rear end and matted hair warrants a trip to the vet to get to the “bottom" of the problem.¹⁵

12. Eating poop

There's nothing that makes a pet parent shout, “Bad dog!" faster than spotting their favorite four-legged companion eating poop. The technical term for this behavior is coprophagia in dogs, and it's more common than you might think. However, it could be a sign of an illness called malabsorption syndrome, which causes dogs to turn to feces as a food source in an effort to ingest more calories.¹⁶

Aside from the obvious “ick" factor, there are some serious risks to eating poop, including potential parasite infestation. Take your dog to the vet to rule out underlying issues that could be causing coprophagia.¹⁶

Pets Best is here to help

No pet parent wants to learn that their normally upbeat and healthy furry friend is actually sick. When behavior changes are a potential sign of illness, make a vet appointment to get your dog feeling better and address their illness-related behavior changes. But the costs of medical care can add up, with the average cost of an annual wellness visit totaling $192, plus the added costs to treat chronic conditions, illnesses or injuries.¹⁷

A pet insurance policy can help provide peace of mind. Pets Best insurance policies include access to a 24/7 veterinarian helpline to get answers to your questions via phone, live chat or email, and can even pay your vet directly so you're not waiting to be reimbursed.

This comprehensive coverage helps ensure that you can get your dog the treatment he needs—so you can focus on enjoying time with your best buddy, not worrying about the vet bills. Start shopping for a policy at Pets Best.

Sources/Citations

1. Palika, L. Is Your Adult Dog Suddenly Having Accidents in the House? Here's What May Be Going On. Vetstreet. Published March 6, 2012. Updated January 24, 2023. Accessed May 9, 2023. http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/is-your-adult-dog-suddenly-having-accidents-in-the-house-heres-what-may-be-going-on
2. Simonson, A. 8 Common Urinary Problems in Dogs. PetMD. Published March 3, 2023. Accessed June 21, 2023. https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/reproductive/8-common-urinary-problems-dogs
3. Grzyb, K. Why Is My Dog Peeing a Lot? PetMD. Published January 25, 2023. Accessed June 21, 2023. https://www.petmd.com/dog/symptoms/why-my-dog-peeing-lot
4. Burke, A. Dog Vomiting: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment. American Kennel Club. Updated May 26, 2021. Accessed June 21, 2023. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-vomiting-causes-diagnosis-and-treatment/
5. Weir, M. and Downing, R. “How Do I Know if My Dog is in Pain?" VCA Animal Hospitals. Accessed May 9, 2023. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/how-do-i-know-if-my-dog-is-in-pain
6. Fries, W.C. Why Is My Dog Panting Heavily? Fetch by WebMD. Reviewed August 11, 2021. Accessed June 20, 2023. https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/dog-panting-heavily
7. Burke, A. Dog Coughing: Causes and Treatment Options. American Kennel Club. Published June 21, 2021. Accessed June 21, 2023. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-coughing-causes-treatment/
8. DiGiacomo, R. Should I Let My Dog Sleep Late Every Day? American Kennel Club. Published February 19, 2020. Accessed May 9, 2023. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/why-do-dogs-sleep-so-much/
9. Why is my dog lethargic and not himself? Causes of lethargy in dogs. Vets Now. Updated May 17, 2021. Accessed May 9, 2023. http://www.vets-now.com/pet-care-advice/dog-is-lethargic/
10. Grzyb, K. Pale and White Gums in Dogs. PetMD. Published October 25, 2022. Accessed June 21, 2023. https://www.petmd.com/dog/symptoms/pale-and-white-gums-dogs
11. Fries, W.C. Discharge From a Dog's Eyes. Fetch by WebMD. Reviewed January 31, 2023. Accessed June 20, 2023. https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/dog-discharge-from-eye
12. Ask the Vet: Why Do Pets Hide When They're Sick? Sunset Veterinary Clinic. Accessed May 9, 2023. https://www.sunsetvetclinic.com/blog/ask-the-vet-why-do-pets-hide-when-theyre-sick
13. Johnstone, G. The Subtleties and Seriousness of Chronic Pain in Dogs. American Kennel Club. Published January 20, 2021. Accessed May 9, 2023. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/the-subtleties-and-seriousness-of-chronic-pain-in-dogs/
14. Horwitz, D. and Landsberg, G. Dog Behavior Problems - Aggression Diagnosis and Overview. VCA Canada Animal Hospitals. Accessed June 20, 2023. https://vcacanada.com/know-your-pet/dog-behavior-problems-aggression-diagnosis-and-overview
15. Kearley, M. Dog Scooting: Why It Happens and What to Do About It. PetMD. Published December 30, 2021. Accessed May 9, 2023. https://www.petmd.com/dog/symptoms/dog-scooting
16. Horwitz, D. and Landsberg, G. Dog Behavior Problems - Coprophagia. VCA Animal Hospitals. Accessed May 9, 2023. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/dog-behavior-problems-coprophagia
17. Nolen, R.S. Pet ownership rate stabilizes as spending increases. American Veterinary Medical Association. Published October 26, 2022. Accessed May 9, 2023. http://www.avma.org/news/pet-ownership-rate-stabilizes-spending-increases