A healthy dog can be described as having bright shiny eyes, a healthy shiny hair coat, good appetite, is able to maintain an ideal body weight, is playful and generally seems “happy”.

However, dogs can acquire a variety of diseases and conditions. One problem about dogs that are not healthy is that they are very good at hiding their illness just by their nature of survival. They want to appear healthy so they are less vulnerable to predators.  Initial signs and symptoms of dog illness can be subtle and you may have to look closely to see the first clues. Advanced symptoms are generally more obvious.

Many signs of disease are non-specific, suggesting they can be common for many different diseases. Below are some common non-specific signs of illness in dogs that should worry you and prompt veterinary care and attention:

  • Lack of appetite – Anorexia is often one of the first signs of illness in dogs. It can be difficult to determine if you feed your dog dry food only and keep the bowl full. For this reason, some veterinarians recommended feeding dogs

    a scheduled feeding at the same time every day so that you accurately assess their appetite.

  • Less active – Dogs that don’t feel well are often less active. Many times this “less active” sign is mistaken for “getting older”. If your dog is less active, the safest thing to do is have your vet check your dog out.
  • Weakness – Weakness can be displayed as either being “less active”, having a lethargic appearance, or by displaying a loss of balance and coordination. All of these are potentially serious signs and should prompt immediate evaluation by your veterinarian.
  • Lethargy – Lethargy is a general lack of interest in the environment. It is a very common symptom and can be an early or late sign of illness depending on the severity.
  • Weight loss – Loosing weight is another common sign of disease or illness. Sometimes it is difficult to notice this especially in long-haired dogs or dogs that you see every day and may not notice subtle changes. If your dog feels bonier, lighter, or you can easily feel the ribs, this could be a problem.
  • Increased water consumption – Drinking more is often associated with a few diseases including kidney disease and diabetis mellitus. If you notice your dog is showing these symptoms, see your veterinarian.
  • Not grooming – Dogs that don’t feel well don’t groom or you just notice a dull lusterless coat. If your dogs coat changes, have him or her evaluated by your veterinarian.
  • Bad breath – Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can result from dental disease as well as other metabolic disorders.