3 Signs It’s Time to Take Your Dog to the Vet

As a pet owner, it’s important for you to constantly be on the lookout for symptoms that your dog might be unwell so that you can book a visit to the vet and treat the issue as soon as possible.

The following three symptoms can be tricky to spot as they are often normalised as part of a dog’s aging process, but don’t be fooled – these symptoms can often indicate serious health conditions that shouldn’t be ignored.

Lagging Behind on Walks

Lagging behind on walks isn’t always a symptom of your dog being worn out; it can often indicate something more serious. While many dogs limp in response to joint pain, joint problems in dogs can manifest in a number of physical changes that you need to be looking out for.

Look at whether your dog is noticeably slower on walks, has difficulty getting up in the mornings, or shows an increased level of irritability. These could all be indicators that your dog is experiencing joint problems. If you have noticed any of these signs, it’s important to get your dog seen by a vet. You may also want to consider dog joint support supplements from a site like YuMOVE.

Hair Loss and Scratching

Skin disease is one of the most common reasons why dog owners visit the vet, and excessive itching and hair loss can indicate a serious health condition in your dog.

Your dog’s coat and skin condition is often a good indicator of their overall health. Their coat should be smooth and glossy. Indicators that something is not right include scabs, welts, redness or inflammation. If your dog is experiencing any of these symptoms, book an appointment with your vet to rule any serious conditions out.

Many dogs can experience day to day itches and allergies which means that they scratch their coat and, of course, all dogs shed some fur on a daily basis. However, make sure to watch if anything looks like it might be getting more serious.

Weight Gain

As your dog gets older and can’t exercise as much, it’s normal for them to gain a bit of weight, but gaining weight whilst they are still young or gaining an excessive amount of weight is always something to look out for. When you hug your dog, you should be able to just about feel their ribs. If you can’t and they are buried beneath layers of fat, consider booking a visit to your vet to check that your dog isn’t becoming dangerously overweight.

Make sure to watch out for these three common symptoms that your four legged friend might not be in tip top shape and book a visit to your veterinarian if you’re worried. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

How many furry friends do you have? Let me know in the comments 🙂