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Behavior and the gut

How To Tell If Your Dog Is Healthy

How To Tell If Your Dog Is Healthy

As a pet parent, you want the best for your dog—and this includes ensuring that they’re healthy. Annual health checks with your veterinarian are a great way to give your dog’s health a comprehensive review, but in the 12 months between check-ups, there are signs you can look out for to make sure your dog is in tip-top shape.

Read on to find out more about the signs of a healthy dog:

Keep An Eye On Their Weight

Canine obesity is becoming more common in developed countries—as high as 44% in some studies[1]. Obesity is linked to many different health problems including arthritis, hormonal issues, and even cancer[2], so watching your pup’s weight is a vital part of keeping them healthy.

To check whether your dog’s body is in good shape, take a look at your dog from above. They should have a neat waist, with a ribcage that can be easily felt but not seen. The WSAVA has a handy guide you can use.

Check Their Thirst And Urine Output

On average, your dog should drink around 25-50ml per kilogram in a 24-hour period (1oz per pound of body weight per day)[3]. Keep in mind that exercise and environmental factors will affect this, but it’s a good rule of thumb. If you notice that your dog seems consistently thirsty or is peeing more than usual, make an appointment with your veterinarian.

Look For Changes In Their Appetite

Many health conditions can cause a change in your dog’s appetite, but every dog is different and it’s important to understand what’s normal for them. Some are voracious eaters, while others happily graze throughout the day. If you do spot a change in their appetite, it’s important to go and see your veterinarian.

Tummy Troubles For Dogs

Digestive issues are a common reason for dogs to visit their veterinarian[4] and can happen for many reasons—from dietary indiscretion to infections. A healthy dog will have well-formed poop that’s easy to pick up and not too firm. However, if their poop is too hard or loose, it may indicate a problem. Additionally, vomiting or regurgitation is never normal. Take a look at our poop-scoring tool.

Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth

Dental problems are very common for dogs, and can be extremely painful[5]. Your dog may continue eating well even with bad dental disease. It’s recommended to check their teeth regularly, preferably daily, for signs of redness of the gums, horrible breath, and discoloration or brown tartar on the teeth. To maintain dental health, try brushing your dog’s teeth daily with a pet-friendly toothpaste. In some cases, your dog may need professional teeth cleaning under anesthesia to keep their mouth healthy.

Check Their Eyes, Ears, And Nose

Check your dog’s eyes, ears, and nose for any sign of discomfort. Your dog’s eyes should be bright, and free from discharge, cloudiness, or redness (although a small amount of ‘sleep’ in the corners of their eyes in the morning is usually nothing to worry about!). Their ears should be comfortable to touch and free from odor, and their noses should be moist, without cracks or discharge. If you notice signs of pain, discharge, or redness associated with the eyes, ears, or nose, you should take your dog to their veterinarian to be checked.

Keeping Their Skin And Fur Healthy

Your dog’s fur and skin can give you lots of information about how healthy they are, so it’s important to check them regularly. Look out for any signs of redness or irritation to the skin, scurf, dandruff, or excessive grease. Ticks and fleas can also be a problem, so it’s important to check for them after every walk, especially if you’ve explored a known tick habitat. If your dog is itching a lot, this can also be a sign of problems. While checking your dog over, keep an eye out for any lumps or bumps. A healthy dog will have clean, pink skin, and their coat will be shiny and silky.

Take A Look At Their Paws And Claws

It is a good idea to get in the habit of checking your dog’s paws daily, or after every walk, to keep an eye out for any cuts or cracks. When it comes to claws, many dogs need a regular pedicure to keep them at an ideal length, and their claws should never look spilt or flaky.

Spotting Different Behaviors

Every dog has their own special character, but if you notice a change in their behavior or energy levels it may be a sign that something is wrong. Changes in their mood can be a sign of pain or disease, as well as stress or anxiety issues. For example, if your dog is slowing up on walks, it may be a sign of joint pain, or lung or heart issues[6].

Try A Weekly Nose-to-tail Check-up

As a pet parent, you know your pup better than anyone else. Using this checklist, try performing a nose-to-tail review of your pet once a week to keep track of any changes or spot any problems. However, if you have doubts about whether your pup is healthy, book an appointment to speak with your veterinarian. Most medical conditions are easier to manage when they’re caught early.

  1. Suarez, L., et al. 2022). Is Dog Owner Obesity a Risk Factor for Canine Obesity? A “One-Health” Study on Human-Animal Interaction in a Region with a High Prevalence of Obesity. Veterinary Sciences, 9(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9050243
  2. Yam, P., et al. (2016). Impact of canine overweight and obesity on health-related quality of life. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 127, 64-69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2016.03.013
  3. L (2015) Care of ageing patients: general considerations for nursing. Vet Times. Available at https://www.vettimes.co.uk/app/uploads/wp-post-to-pdf-enhanced-cache/1/care-of-ageing-patients-general-considerations-for-nursing.pdf
  4. Samuel Dandrieux, J. R., & Mansfield, C. S. (2019). Chronic Enteropathy In Canines: Prevalence, Impact And Management Strategies. Veterinary Medicine : Research and Reports, 10, 203-214. https://doi.org/10.2147/VMRR.S162774
  5. Wallis, C., & Holcombe, L. J. (2020). A review of the frequency and impact of periodontal disease in dogs. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 61(9), 529-540. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.13218
  6. Troxel (2013) Weakness and Exercise Intolerance in a Dog. Available at https://www.cliniciansbrief.com/article/weakness-exercise-intolerance-dog
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