It is important that you keep your pets healthy, so they will always be comfortable and be able to live well. However, unlike humans, they can't tell you if there's something wrong with their health.
While several diseases can actually help you determine if your pet's health is in its best condition, sometimes, you just can't exactly tell with the naked eye. But, there are signs that your dog isn't feeling well and needs medical attention. Here are some of them.
One of the ways to see if your pet is in its best shape is to take a look at their fur. If they're sick, they might change their grooming habits. Sometimes, the lack of certain nutrients can also affect their skin and coat.
Cats, for instance, don't usually groom themselves as much as they do when they're healthy if they feel sick. Just like humans, they can also feel a bit under the weather, which could affect their grooming habits. As a result, their coat looks dull.
Like humans, your pet's poop also needs some checkups. This is because dog poop color, shape, size, consistency, and content, for instance, can tell you a lot about what kind of medical attention they need. Thus, its poop is worth checking too. If you have a dog, here are some things you need to examine:
- Color: For your dog's poop color, it should be chocolate brown, unless your dog ate something with added colors. If it does, then, the colors might come through as well.
- Shape: As for your dog's poop shape, it should look a bit like logs and should maintain its form. If it's round, then, your dog might be dehydrated, so make sure your fur baby gets the right amount of water every day.
- Consistency: Consistency matters too. Your dog's poop must be moist yet compact and easy to pick up. If squished, it should feel like Play-Doh. And just like humans, water feces and/or frequent pooping may be an indication of diarrhea or upset stomach.
- Size: Of course, your dog's poop should be proportionate to the amount of food it consumes. If your dog's stool is smaller than what it ate, your dog probably needs more fiber in its diet.
- Content: Sometimes, you might see some noticeable content on your dog's poop and it could also indicate something about your fur baby's health. If there's mucus, for instance, then your dog might have an inflamed colon. If there's excessive grass, your dog must be suffering from an upset stomach. If there are worms, well, it's time to go to the vet.
When you're sick, you'll notice that you often feel sleepy or you don't have enough energy to move around. This is because your body forces you to slow down to give it the time it needs to heal. The same thing happens to your pets when they're sick.
Like humans, they also feel fatigued easily when they're ill. Thus, you'll notice that they don't have much energy to play with you. That said, once you notice an unusual decline in your pet's energy, it is crucial to take them to the vet, so they can get the right treatments they need to feel better fast.
Like humans, an animal's health can also affect its mood. Aside from low energy, depending on your pet's condition, it may also show changes in behavior - from the way it pees to even how it gets along with other animals.
A cat, for instance, may pee in your bed or other parts of your house more frequently than usual, especially if they're having difficulty peeing. It's one of their ways to tell their owners that they're feeling something wrong in their bodies.
They could also become more aggressive towards other animals in your house. Because just like humans, they may also feel irritable when they feel uncomfortable because of their health condition. Thus, you'll notice how much they're becoming more hostile towards other animals in your house.
Your pet's health condition can also be assessed by the way its breath smells. Usually, if your pet's breath stinks, it could be because of bad oral hygiene and periodontal diseases. It could be caused by plaque and tartar buildup, which could lead to infection, cavities, tooth loss, pus formation, and more.
Sometimes, it could be merely because of your dog's dietary habits. Dogs, for example, are scavengers. They feed on food as it becomes available. Thus, they could eat garbage or even decompose animal remains, which could cause their breath to smell. They also love to eat cat poop or their own feces.
However, your pet's breath could also stink because of a more serious medical condition, such as diabetes, kidney disease, or liver disease.
Eating Habits
Another way to assess your pet's health is by checking how it eats. Like humans, your pet may also lose its appetite due to a lack of energy or pain. Sometimes, they could also lose their appetite if they're depressed. That said, it's worth checking how well your pet eats.
Weight and Appearance
If your pet isn't eating the right amount that its body needs, it could take a toll on its weight too. If you've noticed that your pet seems to lose weight, one of the reasons is probably because it's not eating enough due to its declining health.
Weight changes can also indicate that your pet might have intestinal parasites, which are hindering your fur baby from getting the right amount of nutrition that it needs.
Aside from that, your pet may also show changes in its body.; if it has a lump, for instance, then it definitely needs some medical attention. If it has bald spots, it could be an indication of tick and flea infestation.
Your pet's health plays a huge role in its energy, comfort, and of course, the years it has to live. That being said, make it a point to examine your pet's health. If you're unsure, it's best to contact your vet instead.
RELATED POST- Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?
- Things to Do When You Are Frustrated with Your Puppy
- Easy Ways To Make Your Dog's Life More Comfortable
