Being a pet parent comes with a steep learning curve; I’ve had to learn a lot over the years, often the hard way. Falling in love with their little tail wags or whiskers happens almost instantaneously, but it takes a lot longer to understand the little things they can’t tell you—like when they’re feeling ill or in pain. When you do sense it, it’s a sad, helpless feeling, and it can be difficult to know if their discomfort warrants a visit to the vet’s office.
It’s always a good idea to get expert medical advice if you suspect something’s wrong, but knowing what to look for will help you give the vet a helpful head start in understanding what’s going on with your pet. So if you’re wondering how to stay ahead of any illness and what to look for in their overall health, this post is for you.
Learning the Hard Way
My cat, Blue, came to me off the street as a 6-week-old kitten. He appeared one day beneath a car outside my home, greasy and skittish. However it was he got there, he had obviously been separated from his mother, and he made his distress known day and night. After several days, this weary baby fell into my hand as I reached out to him beneath the frame of the car where he was hiding.
He was obviously weak, dehydrated, and hungry. I took him inside and shut him in my small bathroom for a few minutes to calm down. I came and sat quietly with him in the hopes that he would start to trust me, and to my surprise, he crawled into my lap within a few minutes. Long story short, he arrived under difficult circumstances, and he’s never left.
In those first few months, he had a whole resume of problems. Like many pets rescued off the street, he had fleas and internal parasites. He was also underweight, and his fur was a mess. Frequent baths helped banish the fleas, and I picked up some medication that helped him overcome the intestinal worms. In the last three years, I’ve watched him grow from a scraggly little lost boy to a handsome, and definitely spoiled, homebody. I’ve also learned to recognize the subtle shifts in his mood and behavior, but there are still plenty of times when he seems off, and I have to put my best deductive skills to the test in determining whether or not he’s seriously ill.
If you’ve got a special fur baby in your life, I’m sure you want to be well-informed in your decision making so you can give them the best possible care. The good news is, you’re already well acquainted with your furry little friend and know their daily habits well. When trying to determine a shift in their overall health, certain changes in a few key characteristics or behaviors can tell you a lot. As you watch them closely throughout the day, pay attention to these areas:
Appetite
Most pets, like kids, really enjoy their favorite meal. I can hear Blue clamoring across the floor from two rooms away if I so much as rattle his treat container. That’s why it raises a big red flag if your pet’s appetite suddenly changes. To be clear, the change often looks like a decrease in appetite, but in some cases, it can look like an increase as well. Keep in mind that missing a single meal may indicate something simple like an upset stomach, but if their reluctance to eat persists, then it might be time to consider checking in with your vet. So keep a close eye on how much your pet is consuming compared to their normal routine and how enthusiastically they approach meal time.
Thirst
Water intake is another important indicator of your pet’s overall health. If fluctuations in appetite raise a red flag, significant changes in water intake should fire off a flare. Just like us, it’s important that they stay hydrated so that their bodies can perform all of its functions well. When the season turns warm, it’s natural for your pet to hit the water bowl more. However, if you notice them drinking a lot more without any spikes on the thermostat, this could indicate a serious problem, such as kidney issues. Drinking less is also a cause for concern since any illness they are fighting will be more difficult for their body to manage without water.
Playing
No matter how many times I see it, I still get the warm fuzzies (and a good laugh) out of watching Blue play. As he gets older, he plays less frequently, but his frisky side still makes an appearance on a regular basis. Playtime is a good sign of a happy and healthy pet. When their energy levels suddenly dry up, it’s a good idea to check other parts of their routine for additional symptoms. It can be hard to tell sometimes if you have a pet who enjoys their snoozes, but lethargy tends to make itself known even when they’re awake. They may seem sluggish and seem unwilling or unable to carry on activities they normally enjoy—like playing.
Hiding
When animals like dogs and cats feel unwell, it activates one of their natural survival instincts to hide until they’re strong again. Your furry friend probably has a favorite secret spot they like to go to for some peace and quiet, but if you notice them disappearing more than usual, this could point to a problem. Blue, for example, usually likes to find a spot of sunshine somewhere when he’s trying to relax, but if he squeezes himself under the couch or some other dark place, I get worried. If your pet suddenly starts spending more time in dark or confined spaces, it could mean that they are experiencing pain or discomfort.
Potty Frequency
Focusing on your fur baby’s potty routine is definitely not the most enjoyable part of pet parenthood, but it is one of the best ways to keep track of their health. Noting the changes in color, consistency, smell, or frequency of their stool or urine will tell you and your vet a lot about what could be going on inside your pet. Be aware that their diet can cause some variation in these details. Under normal circumstances, passing waste means that their body is consuming and processing nutrients the way it needs to, but if you notice a significant change from the normal or they stop taking bathroom breaks altogether, something is clearly wrong. And you should always consult your veterinarian if you notice blood in their stool or urine.
Weight Loss
Maintaining a healthy weight is an important part of helping your pet live their best and fullest life. If you notice sudden shifts in weight, whether it’s a substantial loss or gain, you should definitely be vigilant. These changes may or may not be accompanied by a change in their appetite as well. A big drop in weight is one of the more obvious signs of illness in animals, but keep in mind that a sudden increase can suggest an issue as well.
Posture
You can tell a lot about how your pet is feeling by observing their body language. If they’re in a full-body sprawl in their favorite sunny spot, they’re probably living their best life.
Other things that tell me whether Blue is feeling his best are his willingness to contort into his full body stretch, slowly blinking his eyes when I talk to him, or even a big toothy yawn. The position he chooses to lie in, whether he’s sleeping or relaxing, also helps me know how he’s feeling.
Just like their hiding instinct, animals tend to make themselves smaller when they feel discomfort. A comfortable animal may enjoy flopping over in a big fluffy heap, but if they’re not feeling top-notch, they may tuck themselves into a small ball instead.
Self-Grooming
The idea “look good, feel good” applies to pets in a big way. Grooming is a natural part of pet behavior. Blue has a nearly full-time job managing his unruly mane. When your pet is feeling well, they usually make the time and effort to look the part. But if they’re experiencing stress, like pain or illness, you may notice them start to look unkempt or disheveled.
Signs of Illness
Some signs of sickness aren’t subtle at all. If your pet experiences symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, runny eyes and nose, or passing blood, it’s time to talk to your vet.
Signs of Discomfort
Other signs of distress or injury could appear as sensitivity to touch or movement, as well as a decrease in mobility or coordination. This could present as tenderness in certain areas, a decreased ability to walk, a wobble or limp when walking, or an inability to run or jump as usual.
Greeting & Affection
One of my favorite parts of the day is coming home to see my Blue boy waiting at the door. As soon as I step inside, he’s rubbing up against my legs and letting me know he missed me. Pets have this special way of expressing their affection, and when they don’t make this effort, we need to keep a close tab on how they’re feeling.
Breathing
Pay attention to your pet’s breathing. If it seems rapid, labored, or unusually slow it’s a good idea to visit the vet for a check-up. Dogs are known to pant when they’re too warm, but cats will pant when they are under stress.
Be Aware
As something of a side note, be aware that there are lots of common home hazards for pets, including certain plants, essential oils, particular human foods, pesticides, or cleaning products. It’s important to know which products in your home could pose a threat and keep them safely stored away from your curious pet’s reach.
When in Doubt, Reach Out to Your Vet
Don’t hesitate to make a visit to the vet when you have concerns. They’re experts on your pet’s health, and they’re there to support you in caring for your baby. You want what’s best for your furever friends, but it’s hard to know exactly what’s wrong if you don’t know where to look. Keeping aware of the warning signs when your pet’s health starts to decline will help you get them feeling their best again sooner. This list is not exhaustive; rather, it’s some simple steps you can take to be more in tune with your pet’s well-being.
Bonus: If you’re looking for ways to keep tabs on your pet when you’re not home, check out this post for a technological approach to improved pet safety.
How about you, fellow pet parents? What are your secrets for keeping tabs on your pet’s health? Share them in the comments!
