From odd eating habits to fatigue or sudden stool changes, there are many things to look out for when keeping an eye on your dog. Knowing these warning signs could help save their life.

Your dog is part of the family: They’re your best friend, you feed them the best diet you can afford, and they accompany you on morning walks. But your dog can’t complain, so how do you know when to seek medical help? How can you tell if that limp signifies a sprain or that sneeze requires an antibiotic?

Learn the warning signs that mean you should take your dog to the vet.

It’s not out of the ordinary for your dog to skip a meal or two, especially if it’s hot outside — but any more than this should be a red flag that something’s off. If your dog goes 24 hours without eating, it’s a concern; if they go 48 hours without eating, it warrants an urgent evaluation at the vet.

Some diseases cause dogs to develop unusual eating habits. Sudden food scavenging may indicate diabetes, Cushing disease, or intestinal parasites, to name a few.

If your dog is usually well-behaved but begins raiding the pantry or garbage, or suddenly begs for food when they normally don’t, you should take them in for a checkup.

It’s important to know approximately how much water your dog drinks each day, especially as they age.

A dog that drinks more water than usual could be developing kidney disease, diabetes, or Cushing disease.

You’ll be able to tell if your dog is drinking too much water if you have to refill the water bowl more often than usual, if they urinate larger amounts each time they go, ask to go outside more frequently, or have accidents in the house.

A dog’s coat should look healthy for their breed. A coat that’s dull, rough, dry, excessively itchy, or has bald patches could indicate that something isn’t right.

The wrong kind of food, an allergy, or a skin disease could be the culprit. Either way, a trip to the vet is a must for a questionable coat.

Lethargy is a sign that something may be troubling your dog. A lethargic dog may be uninterested in playing, going for a walk, or participating in activities they usually enjoy.

Normal fatigue or sore muscles can sometimes be due to high temperatures, but persistent lethargy for more than 48 hours or sudden severe lethargy warrants prompt evaluation.

Occasional vomiting isn’t unusual for dogs. Animals may vomit to get rid of something that doesn’t agree with them. But you should call the vet immediately if your dog:

  • vomits frequently or several times in a row
  • vomits blood
  • has a fever
  • abdominal pain
  • distended abdomen
  • possibility that they ate a foreign object

Severe vomiting can also cause dehydration or diarrhea, so seek treatment early.

A dog’s stool is an indicator of their overall health. A healthy dog will have small, firm, moist stools. Dry, hard stools may be a sign of health maladies, dietary problems, or dehydration.

Take your dog to the vet if they have any of these symptoms:

  • worms seen in the stool
  • diarrhea for more than 24 hours
  • straining
  • blood or mucus in the stool
  • black/tarry stool
  • pale stool

Even in an overweight dog, sudden weight loss should prompt you to take them to the vet. Losing weight quickly and unexpectedly could indicate a serious health condition. This also includes sudden or notable muscle loss, not just fat loss.

If your dog loses 10% to 15% of its weight, which shifts them down a whole point on the body condition score (BCS), bring it to your vet’s attention. In small dogs, this may be as little as 1 pound of weight loss.

Several symptoms may indicate a serious eye injury or infection in your dog. Watch out for:

  • squinting
  • pawing at their eye
  • cloudy or red eyes
  • blue haze (corneal edema)
  • unequal pupil sizes
  • sudden vision loss
  • excessive eye discharge

Make sure you bring your dog for a checkup right away. Diseases affecting the eyes can progress rapidly and cause blindness. Medication can be used to cure an infection or alleviate clinical signs.

If your dog is scooting or dragging their rear on the floor, they may have worms, fleas, blocked or infected anal glands, a urinary tract infection, or diarrhea.

Take your dog to the vet or an emergency vet clinic if they show any of the following symptoms:

  • open wounds or possible broken bones, such as from being hit by a car or other trauma
  • unconsciousness or stopped breathing
  • repeated vomiting or vomiting blood
  • pale or blue gums
  • seizure
  • dilated pupils
  • sudden blindness
  • sudden collapse or difficulty breathing
  • bleeding from their mouth, nose, or eyes
  • possible poisoning from eating something toxic
  • extreme pain, seen as whining or shaking
  • inability to urinate or defecate
  • hard and swollen abdomen
  • distended abdomen
  • loss of balance or inability to walk

It’s a good idea to have the contact information for your closest emergency animal hospital (which may be different from your regular vet) at the ready, so you don’t have to take time to look it up if an emergency does happen.

Due to a dog’s survival instinct, they will work to appear healthy on the outside, so it’s not always easy to know when they need help.

As a pet owner, it’s important to be observant and aware of the subtlest changes. You know your dog better than anyone, so if something seems wrong, give your vet a call.