20 Warning Signs Your Dog Is Crying For Help

When your furry friend is a beloved member of your family, you want to do everything possible to keep them happy and healthy. Unfortunately, the language barrier between you and your dog can make it tricky to understand what they’re saying. Although regular check-ups and visits to the vet are important, there are also some signs you can watch out for between appointments. Since your pup can’t tell you when something is wrong, it is up to you to recognize the signs they may be giving you. Here are 20 different signs your dog is crying out for help. Number one: changes in their gum color Normally, your dog’s gums should be a healthy shade of pink, except for certain breeds like chows. If you notice that your dog’s gums aren’t pink and vibrant, they could be suffering from some sort of illness. Gums that are pale and lack color are usually a sign of blood loss because gums usually get their healthy pink color from the blood flowing beneath the surface. If your dog’s gums are redder in color, it could mean there is a dental issue. Bleeding gums could be a sign of infection or trauma. Number two: coughing, difficulty breathing, or rapid breathing Your dog is likely to pant on a hot day or after some exercise. However, their breathing should return to normal after their temperature cools or once they’ve had a rest. Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing could mean your pooch is experiencing allergies, has a cold, or even a respiratory infection. Coughing or difficulty breathing could also be a sign of more serious problems in their body like pneumonia or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Number three: changes in their activity level If you notice an unusual or sudden change in your furry friend’s activity level, there could be an underlying condition. There could be several reasons for lower-than-normal energy levels or even persistent boosts of energy in your dog. Lethargy is a common symptom of illness in dogs, especially if your dog is still young. Number four: changes in their eating habits A sudden change to your dog’s eating habits is one of the first signs your dog may not be feeling well and need your help. If your dog is suddenly turning up their nose at their favorite treats or is eating way more than usual, there may be something wrong. It could be anything from a stomach bug or digestive issue to a more serious problem like an obstruction in their intestines. Number five: changes in drinking habits Dogs generally drink quite a bit of water, whether they eat dry food or wet food. If your dog is not drinking enough water and is not urinating, they could be dealing with a be a digestive issue. If you find yourself refilling your dog’s water bowl more often than normal, they could be drinking and urinating excessively. This could indicate kidney disease or diabetes, and you should take your dog for a check-up. Number six: limping and lameness If your dog has pain in one of their limbs or another part of their body, they will most likely show some sort of lameness. Lameness is the inability to move one or more limbs properly. They may also yelp when you touch the sore area. However, dogs can be overly dramatic if they don’t understand what is happening to them. Your dog may be afraid of the discomfort they’re feeling, resulting in them exaggerating the problem. Lameness or limping could be something small like a twisted ankle or broken nail. On the other hand, it could also mean something like hip or elbow dysplasia, arthritis, or Lyme disease. Assess the situation and take action if your dog doesn’t show signs of feeling better. Number seven: licking their paws or scratching excessively If your dog is continuously licking their paws or scratching themselves, it could mean that they are dealing with flees or nasty allergies. Other signs of allergies may include smelly ears, red or inflamed skin, brown staining near their feet, or sneezing and diarrhea. Your dog will also lick an area excessively if they’re experiencing pain in that part of their body. If your dog licks strange surfaces, it could mean they have gastrointestinal issues. Number eight: rough or dry coat Your dog’s coat should be shiny, soft, and thick. If your dog’s coat is dry, dull, rough, or has patches of baldness, it could indicate that something is wrong. Skin rashes, dull coats, and dry skin are a result of bad food, an allergy, or a skin disease. Taking your furry friend to the vet will help determine the cause of their skin issue, and the vet will give you a solution to make your dog more comfortable again. Number nine: whimpering, whining, and trembling The reason for these behaviors will be highly dependent on your dog and the situation. One of the most common reasons for this behavior is if your dog is feeling anxious about something. Anxiety can be caused by many things, which include loud noises, separation from you, or adapting to something new in your home.