How to Determine an Unhealthy Dog

Updated: February 26, 2024

Our main goal as pet parents is to keep our fur-babies as healthy as possible.

Our main goal as pet parents is to keep our fur-babies as healthy as possible.

Our dogs can't describe or tell us EXACTLY what they're feeling but they can show us signs.

The following are signs & ways on how you can determine an unhealthy dog and what you can do to prevent your dog's current situation from getting worse.

"Some signs of an unhealthy dog include bad breath, change in appetite, and lack of interest in activities they've always enjoyed."

Signs your dog may be unhealthy

Observe the following on your dog's behavior and physicality as these may be signs that something is wrong with your fur-baby and might need immediate attention.

  • Bad breath, excessive drooling
  • Change in appetite that leads to either sudden weight loss or weight gain
  • Lack of interest in things and activities they've always enjoyed
  • Labored breathing
  • Dry, itchy, flaky skin that has lumps or sores
  • Cloudy or red eyes
  • Bowel movement changes
  • Attitude and behavioral changes
  • Excessive drinking
  • Excessive urination

What you can do to shape him up

Remember, you know your dog better than anyone — if you think something is up, it probably is.

Check your dog daily. On a weekly or biweekly schedule, check your dog for any changes in his body or behavior and list them down. Observe if these changes just pass by or remain.

Note: Check for lumps, inflammation, infections, behavioral changes, etc

Maintain a healthy and well-balanced diet. Keep your dog on a healthy diet to avoid making him too fat or too thin. Weight problems are one of the top causes of other dog health problems like arthritis and obesity. Feed him with enough fiber, protein and whole foods (no more processed foods please!).

Provide supplements that will help boost and strengthen his nutrition. There are many dog supplements available in the market today but only a few are of high quality, trusted and effective. Pet Parents® Dog Supplements are clinically proven and have absolutely no fillers, such as rice & oats. These dog supplements are manufactured to have more active ingredients than other leading dog supplements, helping ensure that it is able to provide the best value to support your dog's health.

"On a weekly or biweekly schedule, check your dog for any changes in his body or behavior and list them down"

The author

MICKA V.

Author Bio

Micka Virtudazo is a full-time content creator at Pet Parents® who lives with thirteen adorable American Bullies and a Shih Tzu-Maltese mix named Gretel. She especially enjoys writing how-to articles as she feels through this she can connect to other pet parents on a more personal level.

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