Signs Your Dog Is Sick and When It's an Emergency

The most common early signs that a dog is sick are changes from its normal routine: eating less, drinking much more or less, low energy, vomiting or diarrhea, changes in urination, hiding, or a new cough. Some signs, such as trouble breathing, collapse, a swollen belly with retching, seizures or suspected poisoning, are emergencies and need a vet immediately.

This guide helps you notice changes and decide how quickly to act. It cannot tell you what is wrong; only a veterinarian can examine your dog and make a diagnosis. When in doubt, call your vet.

Know your dog’s normal

Illness is easiest to spot when you know what is normal for your dog. It helps to keep a rough mental note, or a few lines on your phone, of:

How much your dog usually eats and drinks
Typical energy level and sleep
How often it pees and poops, and what the stool usually looks like
Normal gum color (usually pink in most dogs) and breathing at rest
Body weight, checked every month or two

Write down when a change started. Your vet will ask, and a short timeline makes the visit more useful.

Everyday signs that something may be wrong

Area	What to watch for
Appetite	Skipping meals, eating slowly, dropping food, or sudden extreme hunger
Thirst and urination	Drinking much more, peeing more often, accidents in the house, straining or blood in urine
Digestion	Vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, black or bloody stool
Energy	Sleeping more, reluctance to walk or play, tiring quickly
Movement	Limping, stiffness, trouble with stairs or jumping, a hunched posture
Breathing	Coughing, noisy breathing, fast breathing at rest
Skin and coat	Itching, hair loss, lumps, redness, a dull coat, strong odor
Eyes, ears, mouth	Discharge, squinting, head shaking, bad breath, drooling, pawing at the mouth
Behavior	Hiding, clinginess, irritability, confusion or restlessness at night
Weight	Unexplained weight loss or gain

One mild episode, such as a single vomit with a normal dog afterward, is often not an emergency, but call your vet if a sign lasts more than a day, keeps coming back, or your dog seems unwell in any other way. Puppies, seniors and dogs with existing health conditions should be seen sooner.

Emergency warning signs: go to a vet now

Call your vet or the nearest emergency clinic and go right away if your dog has any of these:

Difficulty breathing, choking, or blue, gray or very pale gums
Collapse, fainting or inability to stand
A swollen or hard belly with unproductive retching, especially in large, deep-chested dogs; this can signal bloat (GDV), which is life-threatening
Seizures, especially one lasting more than a few minutes or several in a row
Suspected poisoning: chocolate, xylitol, grapes, medicines, rodent bait, antifreeze or toxic plants
Repeated vomiting, vomiting blood, or vomiting with diarrhea and lethargy
Straining to urinate with little or no urine
Heavy bleeding or a wound that will not stop bleeding
Trauma, such as being hit by a car or a fall, even if your dog seems fine
Signs of heatstroke: heavy panting, drooling, weakness or collapse in warm weather
Severe pain: crying out, refusing to move, or a sudden inability to use a leg
Sudden swelling of the face, hives or difficulty swallowing
Eye injuries or a suddenly cloudy or bulging eye

For possible poisoning in the US, you can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (24/7; a fee may apply). See our list of foods toxic to dogs.

What to do when your dog seems unwell

Check the basics calmly: is your dog breathing normally, alert and able to stand? If not, go to an emergency clinic.
Look for a cause: chewed packaging, open trash, missing socks or toys, a spilled medicine bottle.
Note the details: when the change started, how often it happens, and any photos of vomit or stool.
Call your vet and describe what you see. Clinic staff can tell you how quickly your dog should be seen.
Do not give human medicines. Many common pain relievers and cold remedies are dangerous for dogs.
Do not withhold water or try home treatments unless your vet tells you to.

Signs that are easy to miss

Pain

Dogs often hide pain. Restlessness, panting at rest, licking one area, reluctance to be touched, a change in posture and irritability can all point to discomfort.

Changes in older dogs

Slowing down is not always “just age.” Stiffness, increased thirst, weight loss, confusion and changes in sleep are worth raising with your vet. Our guide on caring for a senior dog covers checkups for older dogs.

Dental problems

Bad breath, drooling, chewing on one side or dropping food can signal dental pain. See how to brush a dog’s teeth for prevention.

Routine checkups help

Regular wellness visits let your vet spot problems before they become obvious. Most adult dogs are seen at least once a year, and seniors are often seen more often. The AVMA’s pet care resources explain what to expect from preventive care.

Bottom line

Watch for changes from your dog’s normal: appetite, thirst, energy, digestion, breathing, movement and behavior. Call your vet if a change lasts more than a day or keeps returning, and go to an emergency clinic right away for breathing trouble, collapse, a swollen belly, seizures, suspected poisoning or serious injury.

FAQ

Is a warm, dry nose a sign my dog is sick?

Not on its own. Nose temperature and moisture change throughout the day. Focus on behavior, appetite, energy and other signs.

How long should I wait before calling the vet about vomiting?

Call promptly if vomiting happens more than once, comes with diarrhea, lethargy or pain, or your dog is a puppy, a senior or has a health condition. A single episode in an otherwise bright dog is still worth a call if you are unsure.

Can I give my dog human pain medicine?

No. Several common human pain relievers are toxic to dogs. Only give medicines your vet prescribes or approves.

What should I bring to an emergency visit?

Your dog’s records if you have them, a list of medicines, any packaging from something your dog ate, and notes on when signs started.