Pets are not just animals that live with us and that are being taken care of by us. They are part of our family and living beings that deserve one hundred percent devotion, love, and care. Sadly, our fur buddies are not capable of saying when something is wrong with them.
But on the other hand, we can always rely on their body language, particularly when it comes to dogs, because they can be very expressive. The situation is a bit different with cats because they tend to hide whenever they are in pain or something similar to that.
Since it’s often hard to determine whether something bad is going on with our fur babies or not, it’s always recommendable to constantly keep an eye on them and take additional steps if something is wrong. If you just welcomed a pet into your home and need some guidance, below, we’ll discuss the things you should pay attention to.
Table of Contents
Signs That Your Pet Is Not Feeling Good And Needs Help
Starting With Dogs – Vomiting And/Or Diarrhea
Both of these symptoms are one of the most common reasons to contact your vet and frequently, the first signs of dog illness. Sometimes the issue can be relatively mild, but can at some point become life-threatening.
These problems are usually caused by viral or bacterial infections, diet change, motion sickness, getting into the trash, ingestion of a particular object or if you have a puppy, it can be due to parvovirus.
Now, if your dog has just one episode of diarrhea or vomiting and is generally acting completely fine, then pay attention to him to see if there’s any progression in symptoms. In these types of situations, it would be advisable to cook some boiled chicken or burger combined with rice, but in smaller amounts.
Do this for maybe a day or two and if you do not notice any improvement, plus you see that your puppy is lethargic and doesn’t want to eat, then you must immediately call a vet.
Now, if this is your first pet, and you didn’t have time to find a vet you can rely on, just go on their website and you’ll be able to easily find an emergency veterinarian or animal hospital. Out there, you’ll be able to find an animal expert who will give your fur buddy all the help he can get.
“Accidents” In The House
If you have a puppy, it’s completely normal if he has several accidents in your home during the potty training process, however, if we’re talking about an adult who is properly trained when it comes to this and you notice that all of a sudden he is defecating or urinating in your household, then it’s a sign of a certain health issue.
There are a number of reasons behind it, starting from bladder stones, urinary tract infections, etc. Additionally, if these issues are accompanied by other things like blood in the urine, or straining then it’s time to immediately seek help.
Bear in mind, that it’s of huge importance to monitor your dog for signs like straining to urinate without producing urine, urinary blockage, lethargy, and abdominal discomfort. These are for sure signs of urinary problems that must be resolved by your vet right away.
Adding More Beneficial Advice Below
Let’s Discuss Cats Now – Changes In Appearance
Your cat may not be able to tell you that she doesn’t feel fine, however, you’ll be able to tell this by looking at her. Namely, you will notice that she moves with less grace or that she sits in a more hunched position.
Carrying the tail in a different way, or tilting the head could be a sign that something is wrong with your fur baby. In case you didn’t know, cats who do not feel fine, typically do not groom themselves as frequently as usual.
Below, we’ll enumerate the signs that your cat isn’t grooming herself as well as she normally does:
- Increased matting
- A greasy coat
- Clumps of loose fur
- An increase in dandruff
- The coat is not as shiny as it’s supposed to be
Now, in many cases, there isn’t just a single thing that stands out, but a couple of subtle changes. What you can do is to pay attention to your pet and consult with a vet as soon as you notice any changes in their appearance.
Excessive Thirst
One of the most common issues cat owners have with them is encouraging their cats to drink enough water. How come? Well, that’s because they are not quite fond of it and do not enjoy it like dogs, for instance.
However, if you notice that your fur baby’s water bowl is being emptied quicker than normal, or your fur buddy is asking for water from atypical sources, such as the faucet or toilet, then it may be a sign of a potentially serious issue.
Bear in mind, that endocrine disorders such as hyperthyroid disease or diabetes can cause excessive third and are pretty common, particularly in older felines. But on a more positive note, both of these health conditions are highly treatable, especially if you detect them early. Therefore, if you notice that your cat is drinking a lot more than usual, just make sure to call a vet as soon as possible.
Frequent Vomiting
Generally speaking, cats have a tendency to vomit occasionally and it can either be because of the hairballs, or because they overate. Now, if you notice that your fur buddy is vomiting often, like for two or more days in a row, then it can be a sign of a serious health problem.
Also, do not forget that persistent vomiting could lead to dehydration. Additionally, if your feline friend vomits, pay attention to its appearance and how frequent it is. If you notice that there’s some blood in it, or it occurs repeatedly, call a vet immediately.
Final Words
In this article, we’ve covered some symptoms that your pet can experience that showcase that there’s something wrong with it. It doesn’t necessarily have to be anything serious, but ensure to seek help if it persists.
Author Bio: Allen Brown is a dad of 3 kids and is a keen writer covering a range of topics such as Internet marketing, SEO and more! When not writing, he’s found behind a drum kit.
