Your pet can’t communicate with words, so paying close attention to subtle signs that may indicate their health is compromised is crucial. Some issues may seem minor at first but can indicate more serious underlying conditions. Our Companion Care Animal Clinic team explains key health signs that pet owners should never ignore, along with potential causes and when to seek veterinary care.

1: Eating habit changes

Your pet’s appetite is a key indicator of their overall health. While a bout or two of inappetence is typically not cause for concern, prolonged or substantial appetite changes can signify an underlying issue. Watch for appetite loss, excessive hunger, or sudden weight loss or gain. 

Changes in your pet’s eating habits or appetite can be caused by dental issues, digestive problems, infections, hormonal imbalances, kidney disease, diabetes, or cancer.

If you notice that your pet’s eating habits have changed, monitor their food intake and behavior closely. Changes that persist for more than 24 to 48 hours should receive veterinary attention.

2: Abnormal bathroom habits

Pets generally have consistent bathroom habits, especially if their daily diet does not vary. Elimination issues that require veterinary care include frequent urination, difficulty urinating, blood in urine or stool, diarrhea, or constipation.

Changes in your pet’s urination or defecation habits can be induced by urinary tract infections, bladder stones, kidney disease, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, intestinal parasites, dietary changes, or stress.

Any changes in your pet’s urine or defecation habits can indicate a serious underlying health issue, so don’t ignore ongoing problems. If you notice your pet struggling to urinate or defecate, seek immediate veterinary care.

3: Unusual lethargy or weakness

After a hard day of play, your four-legged friend is likely exhausted, but ongoing fatigue or unusual lethargy without an obvious cause can be concerning. Watch your pet for excessive fatigue, reluctance to move, weakness, trembling, or difficulty walking. 

A significant decrease in your pet’s activity level can be attributed to pain, infection, anemia, heart disease, arthritis, poisoning, or organ dysfunction, and your pet needs veterinary care if their lethargy persists more than 24 hours.

4: Skin or coat changes

Pets often experience seasonal coat changes, but skin and fur abnormalities can indicate dermatological or hormonal issues that require veterinary attention. Monitor your pet outwardly for hair loss, redness, sores, lumps, or dry, flaky skin, as well as excessive scratching, licking, chewing, or any other signal that your pet is itchy or uncomfortable. 

Potential causes for your pet’s skin and coat changes include allergies, external parasites (e.g., fleas, ticks, mites), fungal or bacterial infections, hormonal imbalances, or skin cancer.

Groom your pet regularly and inspect their skin and coat for abnormalities. Consult your Companion Care Animal Clinic veterinarian if you notice any concerning changes.

5: Difficulty breathing

Panting after exercise or excitement or occasionally is normal for dogs and cats. However, if your pet’s breathing is rapid or labored, or they are wheezing, coughing, or gagging, they could be suffering from a multitude of serious health concerns, including respiratory infections, heart disease, asthma, allergies, lung tumors, or foreign objects lodged in the airway.

If your pet exhibits any difficulty breathing, they require immediate veterinary attention. Do not delay in seeking help.

6: Behavioral changes

Although your pet can’t speak using words, they can still communicate with you. Watch for subtle or obvious behavioral shifts, including sudden fearfulness or aggression, excessive vocalization, hiding, avoiding interaction, or disorientation. 

Pain, anxiety, neurological disorders, cognitive decline, hormonal imbalances, and trauma can cause your pet’s different behaviors. If you note any significant behavioral shifts, consult our team to rule out medical issues before we address behavioral concerns.

#7: Vomiting or regurgitation

While your cat may hack up a hairball on occasion, or your dog may vomit up a pile of grass and bile, vomiting and regurgitation can be concerning health issues. Persistent vomiting, regurgitating food or water, or blood in the vomit paired with lethargy and appetite loss can signify serious medical problems.

Vomiting in your pet may be caused by dietary indiscretion, gastrointestinal obstruction, infections, pancreatitis, liver disease, or toxin exposure.

Monitor the frequency and consistency of your pet’s vomiting and try to determine if you see any patterns. Seek veterinary care if the vomiting does not stop or you recognize other issues.

While these signs may not always indicate a serious problem, prompt attention to changes in your pet’s behavior or physical condition can make all the difference in catching and treating underlying health issues early. Contact our Companion Care Animal Clinic team if you notice any of these concerning health signs in your pet.