How to detect discomfort in dogs

When we come home after a busy day, full of anticipation that the dog will wag its tail and greet us cheerfully, but find that it just lies lazily in the corner, indifferent to familiar toys and our calls. At that moment, worry floods our hearts. Dogs can't talk and can't directly tell us what's wrong, but they convey signals through subtle changes in their behavior and physical state. As owners, learning to observe these signals and promptly detect the dog's discomfort is the key to safeguarding its health. Every attention to the dog's condition is a manifestation of our deep love and responsibility for it. We eagerly hope that with this carefulness, we can offer help as soon as it gets sick.

Changes in appetite are one of the most common signs when a dog is uncomfortable. A healthy dog is always enthusiastic about food and can't wait to stay by the food bowl at mealtime. However, when a dog is unwell, its appetite often drops significantly. Whether it's its favorite dried meat or nutritious dog food, it may just sniff a few times and even ignore it completely. Some dogs may also be picky eaters or lose their appetite. Even if the food is brought to its mouth, it will turn its head away. This may be due to indigestion caused by gastrointestinal discomfort or the pain from oral diseases, making it difficult for the dog to chew and swallow. For example, when a dog has gastroenteritis, the disorder of gastrointestinal peristalsis and abnormal secretion of digestive juices make it unable to digest food properly in the stomach, and it naturally loses its appetite. Watching the dog gradually lose weight, with its once-round face becoming pointed, we feel deeply distressed. We wish we could take the discomfort for it and just want to find the cause as soon as possible to restore its enthusiasm for food.

The mental state can also intuitively reflect the dog's health condition. A healthy dog is lively, active, and full of vitality. It will chase toys around the house and be curious about everything around it. However, an uncomfortable dog will become listless, lying around all day with dull eyes, and its once-spirited ears will droop. It will be slow to respond to the owner's calls. Even if it is forcibly teased, it may just wag its tail a few times and soon return to a listless state. Such changes in mental state may be due to pain in a certain part of the body, or an infection of viruses and bacteria, causing general discomfort. For example, when a dog is infected with the canine distemper virus, the virus will attack the nervous and respiratory systems, causing its body temperature to rise and making it difficult to breathe, and then it will be extremely depressed. Watching the once-vigorous dog become so weak, we are extremely anxious and just hope to find the cause of the disease quickly and restore its former vitality.

The dog's behavior also hides the code of its health. Under normal circumstances, a dog moves freely and has a steady gait. But when it is uncomfortable, its behavior will be obviously abnormal. For example, frequently licking and biting a certain part of the body may indicate skin problems in that part, such as eczema, trauma, or parasitic infections. When a dog has interdigital inflammation, the area between its toes will be red, swollen, and painful, and it will keep licking the affected area to relieve the discomfort. Some dogs may also limp, and a lame walk may be due to leg injuries, joint pain, or diseases like arthritis. In addition, if a dog suddenly becomes restless, pacing and turning around, or hiding in a dark corner and refusing to come out, it may also be a sign of physical discomfort. This restlessness may be caused by internal pain such as abdominal pain or toothache, making it unable to calm down. Every time we see these abnormal behaviors in the dog, we are as anxious as an ant on a hot pan and urgently want to figure out what's wrong with it and give it timely help.

Changes in physical signs should not be ignored. First of all, regarding the body temperature, the normal body temperature of a dog is generally between 38°C and 39°C. If the body temperature exceeds 39.5°C, it means the dog has a fever, which may be caused by infections, inflammations, and other reasons. Gently touch the dog's ears and paw pads with your hand. If they feel obviously hot, you need to measure the body temperature with a pet-specific thermometer. Secondly, for breathing, a healthy dog has a smooth and regular breath, with about 15 to 30 breaths per minute. When a dog is uncomfortable, its breathing may become rapid and difficult, and it may even cough or wheeze, which may be a sign of diseases such as lung infections and heart diseases. In addition, observing the dog's eyes, nose, and mouth can also reveal abnormalities. A healthy dog has bright and clear eyes without excessive secretions. If the eyes are red, tearful, and have increased eye discharge, it may be due to eye infections or excessive internal heat. A normal nose should be moist and cool. If the nose is dry, hot, or even cracked, it often indicates that the body is unwell. Severe bad breath, red and swollen gums, and excessive drooling may be related to oral diseases or gastrointestinal problems. These subtle changes in physical signs are important signals when a dog is uncomfortable, and we need to observe them carefully and take them seriously.

The defecation situation is also an important basis for judging the dog's health. The feces of a normal dog are moderately soft and hard, usually brown or tan in color. If a dog has diarrhea, the feces are thin, soft, and unformed, and may even contain blood or mucus, which may be caused by intestinal infections, parasitic diseases, or improper diet. When constipated, the dog has difficulty defecating, and the feces are dry and hard, which may be due to insufficient water intake, lack of dietary fiber, or intestinal diseases. In addition, an unusually pungent smell of the feces may also indicate problems with the gastrointestinal digestion function. Watching the dog suffer from abnormal defecation, we are both distressed and anxious. We hope that by adjusting the diet or seeking medical attention in time, we can restore its gastrointestinal health and make its defecation return to normal.

Dogs can't express their discomfort in words, but every subtle change in them tells about their physical condition. From appetite and mental state to behavior and physical signs, we need to observe every aspect carefully. When we find any abnormalities in the dog, we should take it to the pet hospital for examination in a timely manner, because early detection and treatment are the key to helping the dog recover healthily as soon as possible. Every protection of the dog's health is a manifestation of our deep love for it. Every companionship when it is sick makes us cherish its healthy and happy appearance even more. Because in our hearts, the dog has long been an indispensable member of the family. Their health and happiness are worthy of our full patience and love, paying attention to every detail and accompanying them through every day of their lives.