Noticing Something Different About Your Dog?

Assume It's Significant Until Proven Otherwise.

We humans change what we eat, who we talk to, and what we choose for entertainment on a daily basis. Not true for our dogs. They are consummate creatures of habit.

For example, dogs consistently show the same amount of enthusiasm at meal time. Some inhale their food, some nibble, and some graze.

How does your dog react when he sees the leash? Super predictable, right?

How reactive is your dog to the mail carrier and the UPS truck? You know exactly what to expect.

Our dogs’ predictable behavior makes it easy to notice when something changes. For example, your dog who normally eats at warp speed been taking a couple minutes to finish. Is he bored with his food or is he trying to convince you to mix in table scraps? Unlikely. Perhaps he has a sore tooth or an underlying medical problem. Maybe something’s spoiled in that new container of dog food.

Another example. Your superbly house-trained dog has been leaving puddles in the house. Is he mad at you because you went on a trip or came home smelling like a friend’s cat? Highly unlikely. The last thing a well-house trained dog wants to do is soil inside. He may have a urinary tract infection, bladder stones, a hormonal imbalance, and the list goes on and on.

Excess panting, slowing down on walks, difficulty jumping into the car, becoming grumpy with other dogs, reclusive behavior—these are all red flags. Consult with your veterinarian. The sooner a medical issue is addressed, the greater the likelihood of a successful outcome.

It’s 7:30 AM as I write this, and my best four-legged buddy, Quinn, is sound asleep on my bed. At 8:45, he will jump down in anticipation of a walk and we’ll be out the door by 9:00. Of course, the switch to daylight savings time may throw a kink in our predictable behavior.

Have you noticed any changes in your dog’s behavior? If so, were you able to determine the cause?

Best wishes for abundant good health to you and your four-legged family members,

Dr. Nancy