14 Critical Signs Your Dog Is Begging For Help

In this video, we will discuss 14 important signs that your dog is sick and desperately needs your help.

Since dogs can’t tell us when something is wrong, it’s up to us to recognize the signs that they may give us. Here are 14 signs that your dog is crying out for help.

Sudden Aggression
When your relatively young pet suddenly starts to become aggressive, there could be a problem. Your dog could be experiencing pain or have an infection.

Appetite Loss

a dog who seems to be eating less or who has stopped eating for longer than 24 hours is one who needs medical attention.

A loss of appetite can mean infection, parasites, gastric disease, diabetes, and even cancer in some cases.

Hiding

A pet who goes from craving your attention to hiding under the bed all day might be in bad shape. Pets who suddenly start to hide could be stressed out or have an invisible illness wreaking havoc in their body.
In dogs, it's important to take hiding as a bad sign.

Postural changes

When your tummy or joints hurt, you might have an instinct to stretch the area. Dogs have this instinct, too. So, if your dog starts to display odd positions such as the "prayer position" which means bum up, front down, and legs rigid, he might be having abdomen problems. Other positions that indicate a problem include the "sawhorse" - rigid legs outstretched- and a back that hunches or arches.

Lack of Energy
Although this is a bigger concern in puppies and young dogs, general disinterest in exercise or active pastimes can be an indication that your furry friend is ill or has a physical problem that is hurting them.

Increased urination coupled with drinking a lot

If your dog is housetrained and suddenly starts to urinate all over the house or needs to go outside more often, it might be due to some kind of illness. Namely, a dog who drinks a lot and then urinates frequently might be battling diabetes or a kidney problem.

Swollen Tummy

A distended abdomen - that is a large, swollen tummy- can mean several different problems. It can be a sign of a hormonal imbalance, an infection, a digestive disease, or internal bleeding. Undiagnosed, this problem can make it hard for your dog to breathe as it puts pressure on the lungs.

Crying or Whining
Crying or Whining can indicate that your dog is experiencing some kind of pain.

Too much fur loss

So, if you notice unusual clumps of hair on the floor or large patches of bare skin on your pet's back, a vet visit is necessary. Too much shedding can be an indication of skin disease. In some cases, it can also be due to a vitamin deficiency, an allergy, or an overload of stress.

Changes in maintenance habits

When your dog starts to neglect their grooming routine, it may be time for a checkup. Your dog could be suffering from a range of ailments that cause fatigue, which would explain the undoing of their grooming habits.

Excessive licking

Dogs will lick an area a lot if there is pain in that area. Commonly, dogs with sore paws or legs will lick them. They could also be suffering from fleas, which cause itchiness. Sometimes, licking means gastrointestinal issues are at play - especially if your pet starts to lick strange surfaces.

Trouble getting up

When your dog seems to take ages to stand up, he's probably not feeling well. A dog who takes a long time to pull themselves into a standing position is probably experiencing some form of pain, such as arthritis. He may also be suffering from internal disease that causes a loss of strength and energy.

Sleeping longer than usual
If you notice your dog is suddenly sleeping longer than usual, it may be a sign of diabetes, infections, thyroid gland issues, or stress.

Dilated pupils

Random pupil dilation or pupils that are large for an extended period of time can be a telltale sign that something hurts. Pupil dilation is connected to an increase in adrenaline, which surges when something hurts.

Gums changing color

Normally, your dog's gums are a healthy shade of pink, with the exception being certain breeds like chows. So, when you catch a glimpse of those gums and they're not pink and vibrant, your pet could be suffering from some kind of sickness.

Gums that are redder than usual can indicate a dental issue - especially if the redness is right above the teeth, while bleeding gums can be a sign of trauma or infections.
Pale gums that lack color are usually a sign of blood loss. This is because gums get their bubble-gum pink color from blood flowing beneath the surface.

In addition, gums that have ulcers or an unpleasant odor should be taken as a warning sign.

Coughing

Coughing can be a result of breathing difficulties in breeds with pushed in faces such as pugs. These breeds are prone to airway blockages and sinus problems in the first place. A non-pushed in face dog who coughs likely had what's known as "kennel cough". This is the doggy equivalent to a cold, and it generally passes within a few weeks.

[troubledknits]

Dude, my dog always does those stretch positions and every time we go to the vet for a check up, she’s completely fine

[-youtalkingtome]

My dog had most of these symptoms. If your dog is not feeling well, you will usually know pretty quickly. I was with my Fred most of the day for 14 years and I could tell when he had any ailment. The worst one came at the end though. He had CCD (similar to canine Alzheimer’s). It moves very fast in dogs. He also had very high liver enzymes and arthritis. My little guy toughed it out and pushed himself to stay with me until my husband was done with cancer treatments and surgery. The month after my husband received a clean bill of health/remission diagnosis from the doctor, my baby crashed. He had most of the symptoms listed plus some. He could no longer get around, he stopped eating, he didn’t understand where he was one day and that’s when I had to make the worst decision of my life. I’ll never forget my Fred. He got me through the hardest times of my life and he was my other half. Don’t take for granted a single second that you have with your doggos. I would give anything for another minute with mine.

[Mrsbehavin]

My abused rescue - we’ve had him for 2 adopted him at 7 years prior asshole owners left him at a high kill shelter but he was microchipped . That’s where we came was so unhappy growling biting hiding shaking acting cried soooo many tears with and over him but now almost 2 years later. He’s so perfect- with routines love walks and a peaceful environment - he’s a balanced happy loving dog truly amazing and he’s so loved by us. He’s finally “home” with his very own “parents”. And have zero of any of these problems

[cyrareginapongcol]

This is true. Some of the signs mentioned was experienced by my 8yo mixed breed. She started to drink a lot of water, sleeps longer than before, became unenergetic. The most alarming sign that ive had noticed was the pus coming out from her vulva, thats when i panicked. She was diagnosed with open pyometra and somehow i felt the guilt as i have neglected my dog's sickness. The decision to have an emergency surgery was so abrupt in order to save her life from complications like sepsis. She was saved from the life threatening disease. Thank God! And it was during her surgergy that the vet discovered there was a tumor in her cervix. Good thing it was removed 🙂🙏

[yemiprotector]

Before my dog, a 14yr old Chihuahua passed away this was his behavior:
-lost of energy
-lost of appetite
-hard to breath
-asked for hugs/being pet more than usual
-suddent feeling of heat
-jump from my bed to the floor very hard several times
-trouble to get up
-denial to go to bed until I followed him
His vet let me know he had heart issues which caused him issues to breathe and that it was supposed to be controlled under medication (he passed away not even a month after starting the treatment)
At the end, another vet let me know he was about to go through hypothermia.
His last night he jumped from my bed to the floor several times (he needed to be warm due the hypothermia and I needed to check and make sure he was still breathing)
I knew he was about to die and hour before due the smell and his eyes.
So please people, if you notice any of this issues on your puppies or dogs take them ASAP to a great vet, to honor my wonderful chester 😔

[ashleypisarts]

For anyone here that is scared that their dog is doing the “prayer position” while waking up from a nap, do not worry. Your dog is most likely stretching after a nap, but if they do that pose excessively, then you should take them to the vet.

I thought I’d clarify a few things, because my dog also stretches after he naps.

[Ashenicky]

When my old girl passed away, I knew it was going to happen that day. The day before, she was normal, but that day she wasn't herself. I spent a lot of time with her and when she started taking her last breaths I hugged her close and didn't let go until she was gone. I miss her.

[evahabic]

When my than 11 year old girl got sick I thought I was gonna die, I was so scared because she has never been sick before. I rushed her to the vet and was glad to find out, she only had a little cold. She was feeling better the same day. She is 12 now and healthy ❤️🐾

[henryb]

My baby had all of these - decrease in appetite, lethargic, excessive drinking of water and puking it right away. As well as a swollen tummy. She passed away January 9th, 2020. Please take of your dogs, they need our help.

[elliekelliee]

The prayer position is totally normal. Its also their greeting to us to tell us they are happy to see us!

[hairyjohn]

My dog passed away the other day, and I'm heartbroken. Life will never be the same again.

[danielv]

In a paralell universe: 14 signs your human is asking for help

[madvgmusic]

This video is more about scaring you than informing you.
Please check with Your Vet before coming to *ANY* Conclusion. *Most of the mentioned Signs here are not correct*

[AvgasLL]

My dog does the prayer position every time she wakes up.

[thegamingkitchen]

Basically the video:

Dog looks at you:

Video: theyre gonna die.

[aliengranpa]

As someone who lost 2 dogs in the same week I can tell you this.... if your dog starts looking for a dark place, it's not a good sign. But also, dogs don't necessarily give you any warning. My beagle got sick suddenly and died, then the very next day his companion of 11 years laid down and died for no reason whatsoever. She literally died of a broken heart.

[anushkasharma]

My dog does the 'prayer position' everytime he wakes up, since he was a puppy. He doesn't have any other problems, but this still scared me oml.

[vikirose]

“Dialated pupils” lol my dogs eyes are so dark, you can’t even see her pupils.

[netele]

our last dog, who passed away from cancer, started sleeping under the dining room table unexpectedly. she also nursed a "hot spot" on her paw, but didn't have any skin conditions or fleas, it was probably because she was stressed and possibly hurting. make sure you're in tune with your dog. I miss her.

[div-swatchit.]

A dog's life is really difficult imagine not being able to convey your problem..and dogs still love us🐕💜💜💜