How To Tell If Your Puppy Is Sick

Bringing a puppy home is a moment of pure joy, but it can also be pure anxiety for new pet parents. Puppyhood isn’t always rainbows and belly rubs. It’s also cleaning up stains on your new rug and removing throw-up from their crate.

Like toddlers, your puppy’s immune system is still developing, leaving them susceptible to germs. So, is your adorable little chaos gremlin suffering a normal bout of indigestion, or are they really feeling under the weather?

When you learn how to tell if your puppy is sick, you won’t need to spiral with anxiety with every little mishap. And by knowing the common symptoms of a sick puppy, you’ll also know when it’s time to seek urgent vet care.

Is my puppy sick? Watch for these 9 symptoms

It’s easy for new parents to freak out whenever their baby bumps their head or gets a common cold — and the same goes for new pet parents. Don’t overreact to every little incident; instead, learn more about puppy diseases and common symptoms so you can make informed decisions.

These symptoms are particularly concerning:

• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Discharge from eyes or nose
• Fever
• Inconsistent bowel movements
• Sudden behavior changes

Lethargy 

It’s true, puppies sleep a lot. But there’s a big difference between a happily napping puppy and a lethargic one. A tired puppy will eventually perk up, but a lethargic puppy lacks energy and enthusiasm — even a squeaky toy or dinnertime might not excite them. 

Is your puppy slow to get up? Are they uninterested in playing or wobbly on their feet? Are they sleeping even more than usual? If so, they might be more than just tired.

Everyone has sluggish days. But if lethargy continues for a couple of days, or if it’s accompanied by other symptoms, then it’s time to give your vet a call.

Loss of appetite

Some pups are just naturally picky eaters. But a sudden loss of appetite? That’s a different story. If your favorite furry foodie suddenly turns their nose up at the good stuff, something might be up.  

A decreased appetite can mean anything from a tummy ache to a more serious illness, like parvo, distemper, or intestinal parasites. 

Try offering them a small amount of their favorite treat. If they still aren’t interested, that’s a red flag. If this lack of appetite continues for more than 24 hours, or if they’re also experiencing vomiting or diarrhea, call your vet to be safe. 

Weight loss 

Puppies grow fast (sometimes a little too fast), so some fluctuations in weight gain are normal. Sometimes, they’ll have a growth spurt and outgrow their bed overnight.

Puppies should be consistently gaining weight, and unexpected weight loss is a big red flag. If your puppy is losing weight, becoming thinner, or simply not gaining weight, then it’s a good idea to schedule a visit with your vet. 

Regular weigh-ins at the vet can also help track your puppy’s growth progress and make sure they’re developing appropriately (and not getting chonky). 

Vomiting 

For new pet parents, seeing your puppy vomit can be nerve-wracking. It’s also inevitable as your new pup explores the world with their mouth. The occasional throw-up isn’t necessarily cause for alarm. As we all know, puppies do sometimes eat things they shouldn’t. 

However, you should start to worry when there’s repeated vomiting or puking after every meal. This, paired with common symptoms like diarrhea and weight loss, are all signs to go to the vet. 

Diarrhea

A single episode of loose stool after you change your puppy’s kibble might not be a big deal, but persistent diarrhea, especially if it’s bloody or watery, signals a more serious health condition. 

Puppy diarrhea can be caused by a variety of factors, including diet change, bacterial infection, viral infection, parasites, or even stress. Repeated diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration in puppies and warrants a vet visit. 

Discharge (eyes and nose)

Just like humans, puppies can wake up with eye goop and some sniffles. While a little bit of eye or nose discharge is normal, excessive discharge that’s yellow or green can mean your puppy is sick, especially when coupled with coughing or sneezing. 

Check for a constant runny nose, crusty or swollen eyes, squinting, excessive blinking, and pawing at their eyes. These are all common signs that it’s time to get checked out at the vet. 

Fever

A classic sign of illness in a sick dog is a fever. A puppy’s normal temperature range falls around 100-102.5°F, but anything over 103°F means they have a fever. While you can wait and see if your adult pup recovers from a fever on their own, you don’t have that luxury with a young dog.

Puppies are more vulnerable to fevers than adult dogs, and high temperatures can cause serious damage to their growing bodies and organs. If your puppy’s temperature spikes, don’t wait to visit the vet. 

Inconsistent bowel movements

Checking your puppy’s stool is part of being a responsible pet parent. Changes in their poop or urine can be a clue that you need to address an underlying health issue. A normal puppy stool is usually brown; sudden changes to bright yellow, green, black, or red streaks spell trouble.

You should also be prepared to visit the vet if you notice any of the following: 

• Frequent accidents in the house (if your pup is already potty-trained)
• Very hard stool or straining to poop
• Peeing more or less frequently than usual (kidney disease, urinary tract infection, etc.)
• Cloudy or bloody urine and bloody stool

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Behavioral changes 

Since you’re probably spending every waking moment with your adorable new pup, you’ll quickly learn what’s considered “normal” for them.

If your normally sweet-as-sugar puppy starts acting aggressively, it could be because they are in pain or discomfort. If a cuddle bug shows signs of withdrawal, such as hiding or loss of interest in playing, pay attention!

But before you jump to the worst-case scenario, think about any recent changes in your puppy’s environment. Moving to a new home, adopting another pet, or even changes in your routine can cause short-term stress that leads to behavioral changes.

The rule of thumb: If you notice any significant or persistent changes in your puppy’s behavior, check with your vet. 

Common puppy illnesses

If only cuteness was a defense against illness, puppies would be invincible. Unfortunately, even the most adorable furballs can be prone to these common puppy illnesses:  

• Parvo 
• Distemper 
• Kennel cough 
• Adenovirus 
• Leptospirosis
• Canine influenza
• Parasites 
• Ear infections 
• Urinary tract infection

If you suspect your puppy might have any of these illnesses, contact your vet immediately for diagnosis and treatment.

While you can’t prevent every accident or illness, keeping up with your puppy’s vaccinations and parasite prevention can help your pup stay healthy.

When to see a vet immediately

It’s totally normal to be a little (or a lot) anxious when you bring home a new puppy. Before you become a regular at your local vet, maybe just become a frequent caller. A quick call to your vet can ease your worries and determine if a visit is necessary. 

The golden rule of caring for a puppy: When in doubt, contact your vet, even if their symptoms aren’t on this list. Sometimes, it’s hard to know if your puppy is sick, but sometimes it’s obvious — trust your instincts.

Still, these red flags warrant immediate veterinary attention: 

• Difficulty breathing 
• Repeated vomiting or diarrhea 
• Seizures 
• Loss of consciousness 
• Ingestion of something toxic 
• Fever 

It takes time to learn how to tell if a puppy is sick. Once you’ve learned to spot the signs of a sick puppy, you’re one step closer to being the best puppy parent ever. Remember, there’s no need to panic over every small hiccup.

While everyone wants the best medical care for their furry friend, unexpected illnesses and accidents can be expensive. Learn how Pumpkin Puppy Insurance plans can help cover the costs of eligible vet bills as your pup grows up.

FAQs

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