15 Dog Symptoms That Mean It’s Time to Call the Vet
Dogs can’t use words to say they’re in pain, so they show it in ways we might not realize are serious. Some symptoms seem small or pass quickly, but they can point to real problems that need attention right away. If you notice any of these signs in your dog, it’s better to be safe than sorry—these are the moments when a vet visit matters.
Not Eating for More Than a Day
Skipping one meal might not be a big deal, but if your dog avoids food for more than 24 hours, that’s a sign something’s wrong. Dogs love to eat, so when they completely lose interest, it could mean anything from digestive trouble to infection or even organ issues. Don’t wait it out. Call the vet before the problem becomes harder to treat.
Vomiting More Than Once in a Day
Dogs vomit sometimes, especially if they ate something weird—but repeated vomiting in a short time is a red flag. If your dog throws up more than once a day or shows signs of pain, dehydration, or lethargy, it could be something serious like poisoning, pancreatitis, or an obstruction. A quick vet check can help catch the cause before it turns into an emergency.
Struggling to Breathe or Heavy Panting
Panting after play is normal, but labored breathing when your dog is at rest is not. If your dog’s chest moves heavily, they’re wheezing, or they can’t catch their breath, that could mean a heart problem, allergic reaction, or even heatstroke. Breathing problems can go from bad to worse quickly, so this is one of those signs you never want to ignore.
Sudden Collapse or Trouble Standing
If your dog suddenly falls, wobbles, or has trouble getting up, you need to call the vet right away. This could be caused by a seizure, internal bleeding, low blood sugar, or a heart issue. Even if they bounce back quickly, sudden weakness is almost never random—it’s your dog’s way of saying something is seriously off.
Swollen or Bloated Belly
A firm or swollen belly that appears out of nowhere is a major concern, especially if your dog seems restless, tries to vomit without success, or can’t get comfortable. These are signs of a dangerous condition called bloat, which can be fatal if untreated. It’s common in deep-chested breeds, but any dog showing these symptoms needs emergency care fast.
Difficulty Urinating
If your dog keeps squatting without anything coming out or cries when trying to pee, this could be a sign of a urinary blockage, infection, or bladder stones. It may not seem urgent at first, but being unable to urinate can quickly become life-threatening. Don’t wait to see if it clears up—this is a symptom that needs a vet’s help right away.
Blood in Stool or Vomit
Seeing blood in your dog’s poop or vomit can be frightening—and it usually means you should act fast. It could come from a minor issue like an irritated stomach, but it might also mean something more serious, like ulcers, poisoning, or a bleeding disorder. Either way, blood is never normal and should always be checked by a vet as soon as possible.
Seizures
A seizure can look like your dog is shaking, twitching, or zoning out—and even if it only lasts a minute, it’s still serious. It may point to epilepsy, toxins, or neurological problems. One seizure doesn’t always mean it’ll happen again, but it’s still something that needs to be examined so the cause can be identified and managed quickly.
Limping That Doesn’t Go Away
Dogs can twist a paw or step wrong and limp for a minute, but if your dog keeps favoring a leg or avoids putting weight on it for hours or days, it’s time for a vet visit. It could be a sprain, a fracture, or something more serious like joint disease. Don’t assume they’ll just “walk it off,” especially if it gets worse over time.
Unusual Lethargy
A tired dog after a long walk is normal—but if your usually energetic dog seems dull, uninterested, or won’t get up, something’s wrong. Lethargy is a common symptom of countless health issues, including infection, pain, or even heart problems. If your dog isn’t acting like themselves for more than a day, it’s a clear sign to get them checked.
Persistent Coughing or Gagging
A cough here and there is no big deal, but if your dog is coughing a lot or sounds like they’re choking or gagging regularly, it could mean kennel cough, heart disease, or even something stuck in their throat. A vet can quickly rule out the dangerous causes and help ease your dog’s discomfort before it leads to bigger breathing issues.
Dragging Back Legs
If your dog suddenly starts dragging their back legs or seems paralyzed in the rear, it’s not something to wait on. It could be caused by a slipped disc, spinal injury, or nerve damage, and the sooner you get help, the better the chances for recovery. Dogs in pain may not cry out, so any loss of movement should be taken very seriously.
Excessive Drinking or Peeing
When your dog starts drinking a lot more water than usual and needs to go outside all the time, it could be the start of diabetes, kidney disease, or Cushing’s. It’s easy to miss this symptom because it creeps up slowly, but the changes matter. If you’ve noticed it for several days in a row, it’s time to let the vet take a look.
Constant Itching or Chewing at Skin
All dogs scratch, but if it’s nonstop and they’re making their skin raw, they might be dealing with more than just dry skin. Allergies, parasites, or infections could be the cause, and it’s easy for scratching to turn into bleeding or open wounds. Don’t wait until their skin gets worse—a vet can help treat the root cause before it gets harder to manage.
Discolored Gums
Healthy gums should be pink, so if your dog’s gums are pale, bluish, or very red, that’s a warning sign of bigger problems. Pale gums could mean blood loss or anemia, while bluish gums might point to oxygen issues. This isn’t something to monitor at home—gums are like a dog’s window to internal health, and strange colors mean you need a vet fast.
