Your pet’s health and well-being are among your top priorities, but recognizing when they need veterinary care isn’t always obvious. Dogs and cats are descended from animals who had to mask their vulnerabilities to stay alive in the wild and, while your furry pal doesn’t have to stay alert for predators, they retain these instincts. This tendency can make it difficult to know when your four-legged friend is sick or in pain. Our Twin Lakes Veterinary Hospital team explains health signs pet owners should never ignore and why prompt veterinary care is crucial.

Pet owners should never ignore their pet’s changes in appetite

Some pets gulp down their food in seconds, while others have more discerning table manners. When feeding your pet, observe their eating habits, so you can recognize changes. Any increase or decrease in your pet’s appetite is cause for concern. 

Decreased pet appetite issues:

  • Illness — Any condition that makes your pet feel unwell can suppress their appetite. Examples include fever, gastrointestinal (GI) upset, and kidney disease.
  • Pain — If your pet is in pain, their first typical sign is a decreased appetite. Issues that may cause your pet pain include arthritis, dental disease, and cancer.
  • Stress — Some pets are especially prone to stress, and any change in their environment can lead to anxiety and less interest in food.

Increased pet appetite issues:

  • Parasites — Intestinal parasites can cause increased appetite in pets as a result of nutrient loss and competition for nutrients in the GI tract.
  • Hyperthyroidism — Hyperthyroidism, which is the most common endocrine disease in cats older than 8 years, causes an increased metabolic rate, leading to an increased appetite. Other signs include weight loss, hyperactivity, and increased thirst and urination.
  • Cushing’s disease — Cushing’s disease (i.e., hyperadrenocorticism) is most commonly seen in dogs and causes elevated cortisol levels, which stimulate the appetite. Other signs include lethargy, a pot-bellied appearance, and increased thirst and urination.
  • Diabetes — Diabetes can cause increased appetite to compensate for the body’s inability to use glucose effectively. Other signs include increased thirst and urination, recurrent infections, weight loss, and, in dogs, cloudy eyes.

Pet owners should never ignore lethargy

If your dog or cat has less energy than usual or doesn’t seem their typical enthusiastic self about play time, they should be evaluated by a veterinarian. Decreased stamina or interest in activity can indicate many health issues, such as underlying illness, chronic pain associated with arthritis, or more acute injuries, such as a cranial cruciate ligament defect. Prompt care is necessary to determine the problem and develop an appropriate treatment plan, so your pet’s condition doesn’t worsen.

Pet owners should never ignore behavioral changes

Subtle changes in your pet’s behavior can indicate a serious problem. If your normally affectionate cat won’t come out from under the bed or your friendly golden retriever suddenly starts growling at your child, they need veterinary attention. Behavioral changes can indicate issues such as illness, pain, cognitive dysfunction, and stress, and should be investigated.

Pet owners should never ignore urination changes

Cat owners commonly deal with litter box problems. If your feline friend is urinating outside the litter box, your first step should be making an appointment with our Twin Lakes Veterinary Hospital team, because your cat could have a medical condition, such as a urinary tract infection or kidney disease.

In addition, changes in urination, such as vocalizing when urinating, straining to urinate, and urinating more frequently, can indicate your pet has serious health issues, and they should be evaluated promptly. 

Pet owners should never ignore weight gain

Pet obesity is a serious problem, and 50% to 60% of Canadian pets are overweight. While you may think your pudgy pet is perfectly precious, carrying excess weight increases their risk for health issues, such as cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, and arthritis. If your four-legged friend has gained a few extra pounds, schedule an appointment, so our team can ensure an endocrine disorder isn’t affecting their weight and then devise an effective and safe weight loss strategy.

Recognizing and responding to subtle changes in your pet’s health can be crucial in detecting and addressing potential medical issues before they escalate into serious conditions. Contact our Twin Lakes Veterinary Hospital team for any of your pet health concerns.