Dogs excel at masking discomfort until health issues advance to extreme states. However, their daily wellness is subtly communicated through nonverbal cues. Paying attention to fluctuations in regular behaviors, activity levels and demeanor acts like an early detection system for emerging problems.
Fluctuating Food Enthusiasm
A pup turning up their nose repeatedly at delicious treats or favorite meals indicates turbulent tummy troubles. The most frequent culprit of appetite loss involves nausea from inflammatory bowel disease, virus, parasite or blockage. Decreased sense of smell from dental disease, mouth pain or respiratory infection also depresses drive to eat. Nevertheless, endocrine, liver, or kidney disorders underlie poor intake as well. Because pets cannot communicate the source of discomfort verbally, documenting symptoms helps the veterinarian home in on the diagnosis quicker.
Altered Activity Levels
Typically energetic dogs choosing to sleep all day points toward the conserved energy of compensating for injury or illness. Difficulty rising, stiffness, limping, trembling or yelping hints at orthopedic or neurological pain. Meanwhile restless pacing and inability to get comfortable betrays abdominal discomfort from gas, bloating or digestive upset, but also watch out for sudden bursts of manic energy as a potential seizure red flag. Logging daily exercise tolerance and duration warns of creeping consequences across body systems needing a wellness check.
Clingy Companions
Canines thriving from regular human interaction generally gravitate toward their preferred person. A sudden increase in clingy behavior reveals emotional unrest. Anxiety from external triggers like fireworks and storms causes pups to desperately seek safety from their trusted anchor. Clinginess rarely stems from attempts for attention – it conveys fear. Patience, praise, and play alleviates emergence of worrisome separation anxiety. If destructive escape attempts arise, consult a certified trainer.
Unkempt Coat Condition
A gleaming coat marks good health while dull, brittle hair conveys deficiencies that divert energy reserves inward toward vital functions. Dogs also self-neglect grooming when depressed or painful. Make notes of coat quality changes, increased shedding episodes or unpleasant odors that could indicate skin infections. Schedule more regular brushing and bathing interventions to curb consequences before necessitating extensive shaving.
Household Accidents
A well-trained housedog understands where designated potty areas reside. Sudden slip-ups signal medical conditions like UTIs, diabetes, cognitive dysfunction or debilitating arthritis impeding their ability to hold urine or navigate outdoors access. Fear-induced submissive wetting also manifests when disciplined harshly. Have your veterinarian evaluate for infection while modifying schedules to ensure easier accessibility meeting pup’s needs. Punitive responses worsen welfare.
Bad Breath in Dogs
While “dog breath” has a reputation, the experts at Nextrition say that truly foul mouth odor indicates dental disease. Plaque and tartar buildup spark serious systemic inflammation when bacteria enters the bloodstream through inflamed gums. Sweet fruity breath alternatively points toward diabetes or ketones from hunger. Bad breath in dogs also stems from object chewing, diet choices, dehydration and GI disorders affecting stomach acid levels. Prevent costly extractions later by getting annual dental checkups.
Shifting Social Drive
Naturally social dogs who start snapping, hiding or aggressively guarding convey emotional unrest. Pain sparks irritability lowering tolerance, so sudden snippy reactions warrant evaluation. Provide pets with safe spaces to retreat when feeling overwhelmed by household chaos or interactions. If mood and manners fluctuate inconsistently, discuss options tailored to your dog’s unique needs with your veterinarian.
Conclusion
As our dogs age and life situations change, so do their health and behavior. Staying tuned into subtle shifts from the daily norm provides insider information that something is off. Getting acquainted with common signals of problems brewing below the surface makes all the difference in early identification and intervention.
