Is my puppy healthy? Sometimes puppies are hard to figure out.
One day they may be full of energy, and the next day, not so much. If you are a new puppy owner, you may have trouble determining whether your puppy has a medical condition going on, or if their actions are normal.
Indicators of a Healthy Puppy
Here are some signs of a healthy puppy:
- A smooth and lustrous coat that doesn’t contain any spots with redness or irritation. Irritated spots could indicate a skin issue such as allergies.
- Clean ears that are not smelly or appear red.
- Ears that appear lucid and bright with no discharge.
- Your puppy may want to take several naps throughout the day. This is normal. However, your pup should not appear sluggish upon awakening. Once your puppy has had time to fully awaken, they should resume normal behavior, including playing with you and other dogs in the home, or exploring.
- Your puppy should also have a good appetite. But, when first moving into a new environment, their appetite may wane. They may miss a couple of meals, but if this continues, you should contact your vet.
- Vomiting is abnormal if it is constant after eating a meal. Occasional vomiting is normal, but you still may want to consult with your vet.
- Your pup’s trips to the potty should look normal. Normal-looking stool is firm and frequent. Urine should also be clear. Urine that has blood in it may be a sign of a UTI. If you notice that your pup has just one runny stool, it could mean nothing. But, if it continues for more than one day, it could be due to a virus, bacteria, or something else.
Once you get used to the way your puppy should be behaving, sleeping, and eating, it will become easier for you to notice when something is abnormal. Being able to recognize your pup’s wellness is important.
What Isn’t Normal?
Here are several things that are abnormal.
- Constipation, just like diarrhea, can be caused by things your pup shouldn’t have eaten, including bones and hair, or not drinking enough water. It is possible your vet may perform a blood test or radiograph to find out what is contributing to constipation.
- Having diarrhea once and then recovering is no big deal. But, if your pup continues to have diarrhea, it could be due to many things. You should consult with your vet if your pup continues to have diarrhea for more than 24 hours.
- Straining to urinate or noticing blood in the urine may indicate a urinary tract infection and requires the assistance of a vet.
- Vomiting is common on occasion, but constant vomiting should prompt a visit to your vet, especially if it is happening more than five times in just several hours. Additionally, if your pup’s vomit has blood in it or is accompanied by abdominal pain or diarrhea, you should contact your vet.