We’d like to think that we know our pets pretty well, but it’s not always easy to tell if you have a sick pet on your hands. As much as we wish that they could tell us how they’re feeling, they have no clear way of communicating it to us. Luckily, if you know some of the signs to watch for, you’ll be able to help your pet get healthy again in no time!
Vomiting
It’s not uncommon for a pet to experience a little vomiting or regurgitation from time to time. Pets can sometimes get a little stomach sick after eating something that disagrees with them, like grass when they go outside.
It’s important to be able to distinguish when vomiting is serious. Regurgitation won’t involve heaving from the stomach. If your pet’s sickness is accompanied by a tender stomach or lethargy, a vet visit may be your best bet.
Evident Pain
As a survival trait, animals, including a sick pet, are skilled at hiding pain. This makes it a little more tricky to see that they may be unwell. That being said, there are still ways to tell if your pet is feeling discomfort.
Some signs are more obvious than others. Limping, laboured breathing, and urinating in unusual places are all signs that something isn’t right. But there are more subtle signs to watch for as well.
Change In Behaviour
You get to know your pet’s personality very quickly. So when there is a change in behaviour, it’s easy to pick up on. There are many mood indicators that can signal that something is wrong.
If you suspect your pet may be feeling sick, keep an eye out for an unusually grumpy or bad mood. Your pet may be short-tempered or even aggressive. They may also be unusually reserved or anti-social. If your pet suddenly starts displaying these abnormal behaviours, it’s best to get them checked by a vet.
Lack Of Appetite Or Won’t Drink Water
This is a pretty obvious sign of sickness. Eating food is an important instinctive act for animals, and if they ignore food there is clearly something wrong. If your pet is rejecting or ignoring food, get in contact with your vet.
Your pet may also ignore water along with food. Not only is this a sign of something wrong, but it can be dangerous for your pet. Lack of water leads to dehydration, which will bring on a number of other health problems for your already sick pet. So if you can’t get them to drink water, get them to the vet who can make sure they’re hydrated and can check for underlying causes.
Patches On Their Gums
This sign isn’t useful for all pets, because there are some that already have dark coloured gums. But for pets who usually have pink gums, discoloured patches can be a sign of illness. You may notice that the gums are inflamed, or that there are black spots.
If this is the case, it’s best to get your pet to the vet, if for no other reason than to get a good dental cleaning. It could be as simple as plaque buildup that can be helped with a cleaning. Then your vet can see if there are further problems.
Sluggish Or Lacking Energy
Most pets love to play and run around, working off their energy. But suddenly, your pet doesn’t want to go for a walk, chase their toy, or catch their ball. If your pet is suddenly sluggish or is significantly less energetic than usual, your pet may not be feeling well. If you find that your little buddy is too tired to play, have a vet check them out. That way you make sure you’re running and playing together again as soon as possible!
No one knows your pet’s personality better than you. And knowing your pet is the best way to be able to tell if your pet isn’t feeling well. If you notice any of these signs or any unusual behaviours, plan a vet visit to make sure your pet is feeling tip top again!
And don’t forget, if you want to keep your pets comfortable and strong, consider adding CanEVA to their routine. You can help their joints and keep them playful as long as possible!