There are not enough words in the world to express how much our pets mean to us, and when they get sick or injured…our world is ruined. We care for them as we do for our own children, so if anything were to happen to them, it would crush us deeply.

But the thing is, they almost never show clear symptoms of any sickness or disease until they are in severe pain or it’s too late. And the signs that they DO show don’t strike as concerning.

If your dog starts doing these things, you should really take them to the vet.

1. They act aggressive or antisocial

Any change in their behavior should be a warning sign for you.  If the pain is too much for them, it can bother them to the point they become aggressive or they are no longer able to be social with you or other dogs.

If this suddenly happens, call your vet and schedule an appointment for your pooch. Don’t wait a minute longer!

2. They start being more vocal

When your pet is in pain, they, just like a toddler, get more vocal. If they show excessive snarling, howling, or yelping, your dog may be trying to tell you they are suffering. If this is completely out of character for them, you should take them to the doctor for a check-up.

3. They have trouble eating, drinking, or sleeping

When your dog is no longer feeling well, changes in his/hers behavior start showing up. Changes such as sleeping more, barely eating or drinking any water, are a HUGE red flag.

If they tend to sleep more than usual it means they are trying to heal or they are in too much pain to move or do anything. Having difficulties eating dried food or firm chews can also be a sign of dental pain.

Don’t let anything go unnoticed and give your vet a call, they will know what is wrong with your pet.

4. They have trouble breathing or they show heavy panting

Having breathing difficulties is a warning sign. If they haven’t been exercising or playing and they still present heavy panting, it’s not normal. More shallow breathing is also a sign that breathing hurts them.

5. They can’t easily move 

If they suddenly show stiffness or limping, they are in a huge amount of pain. If they also don’t feel like exercising or moving a lot, it can also be a sign that something may be wrong.

6. They excessively lick themselves

If your beloved companion keeps excessively licking their paws it can be a sign that they are hurt. When they are injured, their first instinct is to clean the wound by licking it. Cuts should be noticeable, but their wounds can sometimes be internal as well. And excessively licking their paws could also be a sign of allergies.

7. They are agitated

When your dog is restless it can mean that they are in pain. In addition, if they also pace back and forth and have difficulty getting comfortable, it can add up to the probability that they are suffering.

8. They are shaking 

Many owners make the mistake of assuming that if their dog is shaking or trembling it has something to do with the cold or that they are getting old. Don’t make the mistake of just assuming, take them to a doctor and see what the cause for this is.

9. Their body and posture has changed

It’s important to notice if their body has changed in any way lately. If they have swollen limbs, it can be a sign that they are in pain due to an infection, inflammation, or even cancer.

If they also have a rigid or hunched stand, which many owners tend to confuse with the ”prayer” position, they tend to do that when they are in abdominal pain. In that case, you should immediately call your vet to check them out.