Apart from hilarious video clips and adorable photos, one of the main reasons dog owners turn to the internet is to make sure their dog is okay. Of course, there is no substitute for a physical examination by a vet, but what if you are just wanting some reassurance that your dog is healthy? Every dog is different, and what is normal for one may be a sign of a problem for another, so it’s important to be familiar with your dog’s healthy normal. Plodding along and sleeping 16 hours a day can be perfectly normal for one dog but a sign of serious illness in another, and often the most important sign of a problem is a deviation from the norm.
A great way to stay on top of your dog’s health is to ask your vet to help you create a record of their normal, healthy parameters. That way, you’ll have a personalized baseline that will help to alert you to any changes. Use a table like this one, plus photos of their eyes, gums, or any other features, that you can use as a reference.
| Name | D.O.B. | ||
| Weight | Ideal weight | ||
| Heart rate | (bpm) | Respiratory rate | (bpm) |
To help you keep on top of your best friend’s health, we’ve compiled this list of 12 Ways to Tell If Your Dog Is Healthy. This is not a substitute for veterinary advice, but it can help you assess your dog’s health and recognize any problems.
The 12 Ways to Tell If Your Dog Is Healthy
1. Talk To A Vet
If there is something that is worrying you about your dog, the safest thing to do is to consult a vet. You can make an appointment at your local veterinary practice, or if you would like some guidance and advice without leaving home, you can always schedule an online appointment with a reliable televet service, such as PangoVet, where you can speak to a qualified veterinarian about your dog’s health. They can discuss your concerns and help you decide if your dog needs to be seen for a physical examination or provide reassurance if your dog is healthy.
To talk to a vet online now, click on the image or button below:
2. Demeanor
When we assess a patient, we use terms like:
- Bright, alert, and responsive (BAR)
- Boisterous
- Excitable
- Dull, depressed
- Subdued
- Agitated
These terms can be applied to your pet as well, but you don’t need to be too clinical. If your dog is as lively, friendly, quiet, or active as they usually are, this is a good indication that they are healthy. A normally lively dog acting subdued can be a clear sign of a problem, as can a dog that enjoys a lazy lifestyle suddenly being up and pacing around. Friendly dogs becoming aggressive, or independent dogs becoming clingy, can also tell us that something isn’t right.
One of the most challenging descriptions to hear from owners is that their dog is “just not him/herself,” but this can also be one of the most important early indicators of pain or illness. Never ignore or underestimate the significance of a change in your dog’s demeanor.
3. Heart Rate
Your dog’s heart rate will change in response to a number of factors, and some are normal but others are a sign of illness, so it’s good to be aware of what your dog’s resting heart rate should be in order to assess any changes.
There are a few places that you can use to check your dog’s heart rate:
Heart rate generally decreases as the size of the dog increases, but things like obesity can also influence this. You can use the following table as a guide:
| Dog size | Normal resting heart rate (bpm) | |
| Toy | < 12 lbs | 120 – 160 |
| Small | 12 – 25 lbs | 100 – 120 |
| Medium | 25 – 50 lbs | 80 – 100 |
| Large | 50 – 75 lbs | 70 – 100 |
| Giant | > 75 lbs | 50 – 80 |
Below are some of the more common ways that your dog’s heart rate may be increased or decreased:
| Increase | Decrease |
Smaller dogs generally have a faster respiration rate compared to larger dogs, but the difference is not as significant as with heart rate. The normal resting respiratory rate for dogs is 15-30 breaths per minute. Observing your dog’s eyes can provide valuable information about their health. Check for brightness, clarity, color of the whites of the eyes, sunken appearance, equal size and position of eyes and pupils, squinting, and changes in iris pigmentation. Any subtle changes should be reported to your vet. Healthy gums should be salmon pink and moist to the touch. Changes in gum color or texture can indicate dehydration, low blood pressure, hypoxia, liver disease, or other health issues. Check capillary refill time (CRT) by pressing on a pink area of the gum and observing how long it takes for the color to return (normal is 1-2 seconds). Changes in movement, posture, gait, and mobility can provide insight into your dog’s muscle, bone, joint, organ, and neurological health. Even subtle changes should be taken seriously as dogs are good at masking pain. Appetite is a good indicator of your dog’s well-being. While occasional changes are normal, persistent loss of appetite or difficulty keeping food down should be addressed by a vet. Monitoring your dog’s feces can indicate their digestive health. Formed, pick-upable feces are normal, while excessively hard or dry stools may indicate an issue. Drinking and urination habits can also provide insight into your dog’s health. Changes in frequency or volume of urine output should be noted and discussed with a vet. Changes in the volume, color, smell, and frequency of urination in dogs can be indicative of various health conditions such as a change in diet, infection, bladder stones, cancer, kidney disease, or endocrine diseases like diabetes or Cushing’s disease. While dogs may drink more water due to factors like higher temperatures or a change in food, these conditions can also lead to an increase in water intake. Monitoring your dog’s water consumption over a 24-hour period and collecting a urine sample before a vet appointment can be helpful in assessing their health. Dental health is often overlooked but essential for dogs. Regularly checking your dog’s teeth for signs of disease is important, as symptoms like smelly breath, drooling, difficulty chewing, or using only one side of the mouth to chew can indicate dental issues that should not be ignored. When cuddling with your dog, be sure to inspect their body, limbs, and tail for any tender spots, pain, lumps, or bumps. While minor issues may not be concerning, early detection of any abnormalities can potentially save your dog’s life. If you have concerns about your dog’s health, it is always best to consult with a veterinarian for proper evaluation and treatment. By following these guidelines and seeking professional advice when needed, you can ensure that your dog remains happy and healthy. Rewrite the paragraph in your own words. The paragraph describes the process of photosynthesis, where plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. This process is essential for plant growth and provides oxygen for animals to breathe. text to make it more concise: Please rewrite the text for brevity.
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