We all want whats best for our dogs. The last thing we want is for them to be sick or to have an unpleasant health concern. But these dogs are our life! We love them and want them to be healthy and to feel good. So if you notice any of the symptoms below, it's probably time to schedule an appointment with the vet.
#1. Decreased activity.
Sometimes it can be difficult to spot a decrease in activity because sleeping is one of a dog’s favorite pastimes. However, a disinterest in games and general shenanigans can be a sign of illness. By monitoring your dog’s activity levels with products like Voyce, you’ll have a better understanding of what’s normal and what’s not.
#2. Drinking too much water.
On average, your dog should drink about an ounce of water for each pound of body weight. The amount will likely increase during the warmer months when squirrel chasing is at an all-time high. This is where common sense comes in. If you’re constantly refilling the doggie bowl, it could be a sign of Cushing’s disease, cancer or many other illnesses.
#3. Swollen belly.
No, we’re not talking about some extra chub after eating too much bacon or retaining a little extra water. For dogs, bloating can be deadly. If your pup’s belly is distended and feels hard, it’s an emergency.
#4. Irregular or labored breathing.
This may be a sign of a cold or a more serious respiratory issue. Voyce enables you to track resting respiration over time so that you can determine your pup’s typical resting respiration rate. This gives you the opportunity to identify when your pup is experiencing abnormal or elevated trends.
#5. Sudden aggression.
You may be inclined to rush your pup to a behaviorist if they suddenly become aggressive, but most pawrents don’t realize that this is often a sign of illness. It may be a neurological disorder or it may indicate that your pup is in pain and their trying to avoid being touched where it hurts.
#6. Warmer than usual ears and nose.
The only sure way to tell if your dog has a fever is to stick a thermometer up their pooper, but you don’t want to do go there if you don’t have to! But, if you notice that their nose and ears are feeling hot, you should check their temperature just to be sure.
Another thing to be added to #5 with Sudden Aggression, this can also be a sign that your pup is in pain. Have you ever had an earache or a sore body part and notice that you're a little grumpier than usual? Maybe your boss asks you a question about a work project and you find yourself muttering to yourself oh my god why is he always micromanaging me!?! only to later realize that you were overreacting because you weren't feeling yourself? It happens. Not feeling good can effect your emotional and mental stability at times.
We love this list from Bark Post and feel these items are essential for German Shepherd owners (and all dog owners, really) to be consciously aware of. For even more tips and signs to look for, view the complete list of signs here.
Do You Know Something Dog Owners Should Look For?
If you know of a tell tale “I'm not feeling well” sign that dogs give off, please share it with us. As dog lovers, we want to ensure our pets are fully taken care of. So if you have anything to contribute, we'd love to hear from you.
