Dogs are our closest friends. Our relationship has evolved significantly over many centuries and we have already begun to understand each other’s emotions.

Your dogs’ unconditional love towards you makes you even more responsible for taking care of their health. Since a healthy dog is a happy dog and its playful nature is quite contagious because it makes others happy as well. A healthy dog not only imparts more energy to it, but it also becomes more responsive to your call and connects more nicely with you.

However, sometimes you probably have noticed that their activities and antics tell an otherwise story. It could be a sign that they might be in a suffering. Since your dog cannot tell you directly what kind of difficulty he is in, but he has other subtle ways to tell you he is unwell. In addition to that, the veterinarians and other dog experts have done a lot of research and collect necessary information to inform you how and when your dog is having health related issues.

The signs your dog is not healthy can be best understood by the following conditions:

1.     Smelly Skin, Coat, And Breath

People might be tempted to conclude that their dogs can stink sometimes or it is normal that they smell bad. As a matter of fact, it is not normal. If your dog is going through this, it could be a sign of an internal or external problem. Sometimes, you must have noticed that the peculiar smell spreads all over the place wherever it goes. Don’t ignore this. The possible reasons for this are: there might be an infection on his skin, or the bad smell is due to the excessive buildup of oil on the skin and hair.

2.     Unexplained Weight Loss

Sometimes, it is normal for dogs to shed a pound or two because of seasonal changes. But if your dog is losing a significant amount of weight abruptly coupled with a loss of appetite, then it is a cause of concern for you. There could be several reasons behind this. Some medical practitioners suggest that such a condition may occur when your dog has metabolic disorders, neuromuscular diseases, cancer, and heart disease. Therefore, if your dog has lost at least 10% of its total weight, a visit to the vet should follow.

3.     Poor Coat Or Fur

A good tip to ensure the good health of your dog is to check whether his coat is shiny and soft or not. The condition of your dog’s coat and fur is one of the best ways to gain insight of your dog’s health. If it is dull, wiry or greasy, it suggests your dog is not as healthy as he could be. A balanced diet full of protein and amino acids will replenish your dog’s coat.

4.     Persistent Coughing

If your furry friend is coughing persistently and profusely, just as we humans do, it is not a good sign for them either. Since unlike us dogs do not suffer from asthma, but a prolonged cough could be a clear signal of bronchitis, heartworm disease, pneumonia, heart problems, or tracheal collapse. It can be caused by several different viruses and bacteria, either alone or in combination. This is an alarming condition for you, be sure to get it checked and treated.

5.     Aggressive Or Hyperactive Behaviour

The aggressive behaviour of dogs is not good at all. Although, the causes of this hyperactive condition are many: it may have become overly aggressive because of lack of proper grooming, his negative past experiences, abuse and neglect, improperly socialised, or might have had a traumatic experience with other dogs. However, this unpredictable aggression could also be linked to severe health problems.

6.     Vomiting Routinely

Though it is not unusual for you to see your dog vomiting as he may do it simply because he has eaten something indigestible or disagreeable, but if he is doing it frequently – there is certainly a problem with him. Frequent vomiting might by a symptom of an intestinal obstruction, infection, pancreatitis, hormonal imbalance, liver or kidney disease, or more serious diseases. It entails a warning signal for you as well. Make sure you visit a vet as soon as possible for the treatment.

Conclusion

If your dog has any of the above mentioned signs (although, there may be many more), as an owner, you should address them as soon as possible before the situation becomes graver.