How to tell if your dog is sad or sick

Symptoms that indicate your dog is sad

Just like us, dogs can also suffer from depression or sadness, or they can get sick. If you're wondering how to tell if your dog is sad or how to tell if your dog is sick, simply observe if they show any of these symptoms:

• They are inactive: they don't socialize at home or in the park, their movements become slower, or they don't want to walk and lie down on the ground; they don't even pay attention to their dog toy
• Their appetite changes: they may stop eating or, on the contrary, they may start overeating, but if your dog is sick, they likely won't eat anything at all, not even their favorite treats
• They have strange behavior: if they exhibit unusual behaviors, such as constantly moving from one place to another, crying or whimpering, being nervous, sticking close to you, or disappearing from your sight for a long time.
• They don't sleep normally: if your dog is sad, they sleep much more than usual, and if they often feel uncomfortable, restless, or don't sleep well, it could be due to an ailment or because they aren't resting properly. You could try changing their bed or resting place. In our section on beds for small dogs, you can find everything from wooden beds to original Indian tipis that blend well with your home's decor.

Quick check-up to see if your dog is healthy

In any case, if you're still wondering how to tell if your dog is sad or sick, we've provided this quick checklist. The most important thing is that they look healthy and clean, but if any of these conditions are not met, you should take them to the vet immediately:

• Their eyes should be clean and bright, without discharge.
• Their breathing should be normal.
• Their nose should always be moist and cool, with dark pigmentation and no discharge.
• Their teeth should be white and clean.
• Their ears should be clean and free of strange odors.
• Their fur should be shiny and not dull.
• Their skin should be soft, clean, and flexible. (A trick that never fails: gently pinch the skin above your dog's shoulder; if it doesn't immediately return to its original appearance when released, it means your dog is dehydrated).

When in doubt, it's best to consult a vet

In any of these cases, if you think your dog is sad or sick, take them to the vet so they can correctly identify the problem. It could be related to something physical or a mood disorder. If they have injured a part of their body and don't show it, their health will be at risk. Sometimes, they might have gotten something stuck in a paw or something in their eye, which is very uncomfortable... observe them carefully and perform a full examination of your dog.

If, on the other hand, you have recently changed residence, or modified their routines: walks in different areas, a new addition to the family, or something that has changed at home... this could be a reason why your dog is sad.

As always, with any problem or strange symptom, it's best to consult a vet to rule out something more serious.

We hope we have helped you to know if your dog is sad or sick.

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