When should you worry about your dog’s health?

You think something is wrong with your dog. For a few days now, he hasn’t been eating or playing, he has diarrhea or worms… but why? What is the reason for this sudden change in behavior?

Your dog doesn’t really know how to complain when something is wrong, so it’s up to you to take action and be attentive enough to discover what’s behind your dog’s abnormal behavior.

We’re going to answer that question and, most importantly, find out whether or not you should be worried and call the vet.

Disorders, reasons and solutions

Here are the most common disorders in our canine friends, their most likely causes, and how to react in each case.

Behavior: Your dog has stopped eating, playing, or moving… This shouldn’t necessarily alarm you too much, but it’s not something to ignore either. Your dog may simply need a few days to recover from a minor injury or other issue, but it could also be a psychological disorder or an internal illness.

Dogs are very sensitive animals and can easily feel unwell or depressed. This can lead to a hunger strike, behavioral problems, or even refusal to move. If it’s a psychological problem, take time to play with him as often as possible, and also take him for walks. The important thing is to let him see the outdoors and distract his mind, getting him out of the environment that’s making him feel down. He should soon regain his zest for life and be running around happily again.

If the behavior change persists, a visit to the vet will be necessary to run tests and check whether your dog is suffering from an illness.

Diarrhea: Occasional diarrhea is not uncommon in dogs, and a change in diet or too many leftovers are the most common causes. If the diarrhea persists and you haven’t changed your dog’s diet or given him unusual food, he may have a virus or a parasitic infection. For parasites, nothing beats a good dewormer. For viruses, treatment depends on what your dog is suffering from. In this case, visit your vet to ensure your dog receives appropriate care.

Injury: Your dog has injured himself, is limping, has a small wound, keeps licking his paws, or seems to be in pain when moving. Generally, everything should return to normal within 2 or 3 days, but if the pain is too severe or lasts more than 5 days, you should contact your vet.

Constipation: Dogs, like humans, can suffer from constipation. This problem is usually related to diet. It may be due to a sudden change in his food, or to overfeeding certain items. For example, bones can cause constipation in dogs. If you give your dog too many bones, he’ll struggle to pass stools. The best prevention for constipation is a healthy, varied diet. If your dog is constipated, the best remedy is to give him a large spoonful of edible oil (cooking oil). This will lubricate the intestines and help your dog pass stools. If the problem persists, you can also give him paraffin oil, which is very effective for helping dogs with constipation. However, if after a few days there’s no improvement (and you’re sure he hasn’t been eating bones or anything unusual), you should visit the vet. Your vet can provide the appropriate care, including a laxative if needed.

Excessive thirst: If your dog drinks a lot (more than usual), he will naturally need to urinate more frequently, so be careful to avoid accidents indoors. If your dog drinks a lot after strenuous exercise (a long walk or a run in the woods) or in very hot weather, this is completely normal. However, if your dog is drinking much more than usual when it’s not hot and he hasn’t done unusual physical activity, there could be several reasons:

– A change in food (switching from wet to dry food will naturally make him drink more), so there’s no need to worry.

– A bladder infection, in which case you’ll need to consult your vet.

– If your dog is older, his kidneys may not be working as well, so a vet check is recommended.

– Several illnesses can also cause this type of problem, so it’s important to consult your vet as soon as possible.

In any case, whether you consult a vet or not, you must never deprive your dog of water. Never decide to limit his water intake, and if he’s drinking more than usual, always make sure he has enough water until the problem is resolved. Also, don’t take this symptom lightly, as your dog may be suffering from a condition that needs prompt treatment.

Conclusion

Whatever problem you’re facing with your dog, the most important thing is always to use common sense. After all, your dog can’t tell you what’s wrong. It’s up to you to figure it out based on his behavior.

And if a problem persists without any obvious reason, it’s always a good idea to visit the vet for a routine check-up.

Article by : Dimitri Michel | Review guidelines | Review consultants
About the author: Dimitri Michel, canine specialist and head of a team of professionals and enthusiasts, uses his expertise to promote the well-being, health, and education of dogs.
Last updated on 20 July 2025.
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