How to tell if your dog is sick? signs and symptoms to watch for

Summary

How can you tell if your dog is sick?

If only our dogs could tell us when they aren’t feeling well or are in pain! Knowing when your pet is unwell isn’t always easy. Sick dogs are notoriously good at masking symptoms, especially in the earlier stages of an illness. This means that by the time you realise that your dog may be sick, their discomfort may already be fairly advanced.

Regular check-ups at the veterinarian are essential, but what can you do between vet visits to ensure your pet’s wellbeing? You know your dog better than anyone else and can probably sense when they just don’t seem their normal self. Monitor them closely and if something feels not quite right, it is usually best to speak to a vet.

Expert advice from Dr Felicia:

Worried your pet’s medical issue might be an emergency? Try pet telehealth to see if your dog needs urgent care, or you can call an emergency vet for some triage help over the phone.

Common signs and symptoms of illness in dogs

Other than relying on your gut feel, we recommend that you learn as much as you can about the most common symptoms displayed by sick dogs. Many of these symptoms are very subtle, so it’s really important to be aware of what they are and try to look out for them.

Signs and symptoms of illness in dogs

• Vomiting, upset stomach or diarrhoea (common symptoms and first signs of many illnesses)
• Coughing, sneezing, excessive panting, breathing difficulty or other respiratory problems
• Increase or decrease in normal appetite or drinking habits
• Changes to urination or bowel movements
• Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
• Lameness or limping
• Trouble walking or climbing the stairs
• Lethargy, decreased energy, or excessive sleeping / hiding
• Sudden change in personality, behaviour or mood
• Abnormal whining, crying or other vocalisations
• Foul odour (from dog’s breath, ears or skin)
• Hair loss – with or without persistent itching, discharge, inflammation, excessive licking and/or scratching
• Eye changes – redness, dryness, runny eyes, cloudiness, squinting, holding eye closed, pawing or rubbing at the eye
• Pale, red or swollen gums
• Unexplained drooling
• Lumps or bumps on and under the skin

Expert advice from Dr Felicia:

Some dogs are more communicative than others when it comes to their health issues. If you have a dog that is extremely stoic, being more vigilant and watchful for small deviations from their normal behaviour can help identify issues before they become more severe.

When should you take your dog to the vet?

If you notice any of the obvious signs, or even any subtle changes, that indicate that your pet may be unwell, it’s important to consult your veterinarian, who is your best resource to determine the underlying cause of the problem, rather than relying on “Dr Google” for a diagnosis.

Signs your dog needs emergency veterinary care

Contact an emergency vet immediately if your dog has any of the following:

• Difficulty breathing, laboured breathing or choking
• Collapse, unconsciousness, severe weakness or inability to stand
• Blue, grey, white or unusually pale gums
• A swollen, hard or painful abdomen, particularly with restlessness or repeated unsuccessful attempts to vomit
• Inability to urinate or repeated straining without producing urine
• A seizure lasting more than five minutes or several seizures occurring close together
• Severe or uncontrolled bleeding
• Suspected poisoning or ingestion of medication, chemicals or another potentially toxic substance
• Signs of heatstroke, including excessive panting, distress, weakness, confusion or collapse
• Major trauma, such as being hit by a vehicle, falling from a height or sustaining a serious bite wound
• A serious eye injury or sudden loss of vision
• Severe pain, rapidly worsening symptoms or extreme distress

Signs that need a prompt veterinary appointment

Contact your vet if you notice an unexplained change that persists, keeps returning or becomes worse. Signs that should be discussed with your vet include:

• Reduced appetite or increased or decreased thirst
• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• Changes in urination or bowel movements
• Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
• Persistent coughing, sneezing or panting
• Limping, stiffness or difficulty moving
• Reduced energy, hiding or sleeping more than usual
• Changes in mood, sociability or behaviour
• Persistent scratching, licking, hair loss or skin lesions
• Eye or ear redness, discharge, swelling or discomfort
• Bad breath, difficulty eating or excessive drooling
• A new lump or an existing lump that changes in size, shape or appearance

How urgently your dog needs to be examined will depend on the severity of the signs, how quickly they developed and your dog’s age and medical history. Call your vet when you are uncertain.

Unsure how serious it is?

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What to do if your dog seems unwell

Keep your dog quiet, comfortable and away from strenuous activity while you contact your vet. Note when the symptoms started, how often they are occurring and whether your dog is eating, drinking, urinating and passing stools normally.

Photos or short videos of coughing, limping, unusual breathing, vomiting or abnormal behaviour can help your vet understand what has been happening, particularly if the symptom does not occur during the appointment. Take details of any medications, foods, plants, chemicals or other substances your dog may have encountered.

Signs and symptoms alone don’t generally indicate what problem is or how to treat it, and diagnostic testing by your vet is often necessary.  When your dog has a serious condition such as urinary tract blockage, liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes mellitus or Cushing’s disease to name just a few, early diagnosis is key to a quicker recovery and/or more effective management. 

Your dog may require diagnostic tests such as a complete blood count, urinalysis, electrolyte tests, heartworm tests or screenings for drugs/toxins/venom or an ECG to check heart rhythm. In cases where these tests do not highlight the abnormality, imaging such as X-ray or ultrasound may be required.

Expert advice from Dr Felicia:

Your vet will be able to advise on which tests are recommended to determine what is happening with your pet. Depending on how unwell your pet is, additional tests may be run in parallel or in a stepwise manner.

How to monitor your dog’s health at home

Knowing your dog’s usual habits makes it easier to recognise when something has changed. Pay attention to their normal appetite, water intake, energy level, breathing, mobility, sleeping habits, toileting and behaviour.

Regularly check your dog’s:

• Body weight and body condition
• Eyes, ears, mouth and gums
• Skin and coat
• Paws and nails
• Movement and willingness to exercise
• Urine and stools
• Breathing while resting

Keep a brief record of changes that continue over several days. Even seemingly minor concerns, such as gradual weight loss, increased drinking or slowing down on walks, can provide useful information for your veterinarian. Sudden changes in activity, eating, toileting, walking or grooming can indicate a medical problem.

Key points:

• Watch out  for unexplained changes to your dog’s normal activity level, temperament or mobility.
• Don’t assume potential warning signs of a dog illness are just “normal aging”, particularly for senior dogs.

How to help keep your dog healthy

Regular veterinary checks

Most healthy adult dogs should have a veterinary health check at least once a year. Puppies, senior dogs and dogs with ongoing medical conditions may need more frequent visits. Your vet can recommend an appropriate schedule based on your dog’s age, breed, lifestyle and health history. 

These vet visits can also potentially help you avoid significant medical expense in the long term, if a sick dog goes untreated. Routine check-ups and tests allow your veterinarian to establish your dog’s baseline health, which means both you and the vet are more likely to notice when something is amiss.

Learn more about finding the right vet

Expert advice from Dr Felicia:

Keep your vet in the loop with changes you’ve noticed. This could be something like weight loss, or seeming to slow down a little. Even if they aren’t actioned right away, if you come in the next time and the issues are persisting then it can be a helpful prompt to investigate further.

Vaccinations appropriate to the dog’s risks and lifestyle

Keeping your dog’s vaccinations up-to-date greatly reduces the risk of them contracting potentially deadly health conditions. Make sure your dog has all the necessary vaccinations based on their environment and lifestyle.

Learn more about dog and puppy vaccination schedules and costs

Vet-recommended parasite prevention

Give your dog vet-recommended medications to protect them against pests and the diseases they can be responsible for.

Learn more about controlling & protecting against fleas

Complete and balanced nutrition

Feed your dog a complete and balanced diet appropriate for their age, size, activity level and health needs. Follow the recommended portion sizes and adjust them with guidance from your vet to help maintain a healthy body condition.

Treats and other additions should make up only a small proportion of your dog’s overall diet. Speak to your vet before making major dietary changes, adding supplements or feeding a home-prepared diet, particularly if your dog has a health condition.

Dogs often get sick from eating spoiled food, contaminated water or other substances that are toxic to dogs. Don’t let your dog eat anything that could make them sick.

Learn more about different diets for dogs

Healthy weight and suitable exercise

Make sure your dog receives sufficient exercise for their needs. Some breeds have higher exercise requirements than others, but all dogs require a certain amount of exercise to maintain their body condition and help regulate their weight. Provide mental as well as physical stimulation with games, interactive toys and puzzles and ongoing training.

Learn more about the importance of exercise for adult dogs

Dental and grooming care

Good dental care is essential for your dog’s long-term health and happiness, and this includes regularly brushing your dog’s teeth. When the teeth are cleaned frequently, the gums stay healthy and the risk of dental disease and infections is greatly reduced. Bad breath is often one of the first signs that their dental health is suffering, so be sure to look out for this.

Keep your dog’s coat in good condition by grooming them as recommended for their coat type, whether at home or professionally. Brushing the coat stimulates oil production in the skin, which helps keep the coat shining and healthy.

Learn how to brush your dog’s teeth effectively

Expert advice from Dr Felicia:

Some dogs tend to be more prone to dental disease. Your vet may have helpful strategies to support dental health alongside brushing through use of chews, diets and water additives. Some dogs won’t tolerate brushing and there are other options to slow down dental disease.

A safe home environment

• Washing your hands before and after preparing food is essential for preventing the spread of sickness and disease among all your family members, including your dogs.
• Regularly clean or tidy up your dog’s environment, such as floors, bedding and toys, to keep it free of harmful objects such as glass, grass awns or splinters.
• Monitor your dog for areas of matting or soiled hair (around the ears and bottom) and clean or carefully trim as needed.

Expert advice from Dr Felicia:

Some non-shedding breeds need regular grooming to prevent matting all over their body. These dogs need regular checking to make sure the area around their eyes, their feet, and back end are not becoming excessively matted or soiled. Other breeds tend to do fine without too much maintenance.

In a nutshell…

As a loving pet parent, you want to do all you can to prioritise your dog’s wellbeing. Therefore, it’s important that you know what signs and symptoms to look out for so that you can address any health concerns in a timely manner.

Changes in appetite, thirst, toileting, breathing, energy, behaviour, mobility or appearance can all indicate that a dog is unwell. Because some dogs show only subtle signs, it is important to know what is normal for your dog and take unexplained changes seriously.

Contact your vet if symptoms persist, recur or become worse. Difficulty breathing, collapse, abnormal gum colour, a swollen abdomen with unsuccessful retching, inability to urinate, suspected poisoning and serious injuries require immediate veterinary attention. Regular check-ups and preventive care can also help identify health problems before they become more advanced.

Sources

“Routine Health Care of Dogs”, MSD Veterinary Manual, https://www.msdvetmanual.com/dog-owners/routine-care-of-dogs/routine-health-care-of-dogs Accessed 28 Jul 2026.

“Introduction to Emergencies”, MSD Veterinary Manual, https://www.msdvetmanual.com/special-pet-topics/emergencies/introduction-to-emergencies Accessed 28 Jul 2026.

“Emergencies in Dogs”, VCA Animal Hospitals, https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/common-emergencies-in-dogs Accessed 28 Jul 2026.

“The importance of regular vet checks for your pet”, RSPCA Australia, https://www.rspca.org.au/latest-news/blog/importance-regular-vet-checks-your-pet/ Accessed 28 Jul 2026.

“Vaccination of dogs and cats”, Australian Veterinary Association, https://www.ava.com.au/policy/vaccination-of-dogs-and-cats Accessed 28 Jul 2026.

“Nutrition Guidelines”, World Small Animal Veterinary Association, https://wsava.org/global-guidelines/global-nutrition-guidelines/ Accessed 28 Jul 2026.

“Animal Poisons Helpline”, Animal Poisons Helpline, https://www.animalpoisons.com.au/ Accessed 28 Jul 2026.