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Dog owners need to be aware of some of the signs that their pet might be sick and due for a trip to the vet. One such sign is a constant nasal discharge. While this could be a simple case of congestion, if the discharge is thick, it could be a sign your pet is suffering pneumonia and needs help from your vet.

Any dog will occasionally vomit, and this is no real cause for concern. However, if your dog vomits frequently, it is important to keep an eye on how much it is eating. Frequent vomiting is a cause for concern and may require treatment.

If you notice your pet scratching excessively, look at its skin carefully. Slowly comb through the hair with your fingers causing a separation so you can see the skin. Look for ticks, fleas or lice and if you find them, take steps to eliminate them for a healthier dog.

Pets that pass loose stool frequently may also be a cause for concern. This could be a sign of serious illness, including bowel disorders. However, if your pet only has diarrhea occasionally, it is not likely a cause for concern. If your pet does not pass a stool over the course of several days, you should be concerned.

If you notice a change in your dog’s gait, it could indicate a health issue. Dogs with sores on their pads may limp when they walk. In older dogs, changes in gait, not walking as regularly as he did in the past, or refusing to walk as long could be in indicator of a health issue or illness.

The eyes of your doc can also be indicative of his overall health. If you notice your dog’s eyes are paler than in the past, he could be anemic but if they have a white appearance, he could have an eye disease. Dogs that bite or attack other people or their owners could have rabies. Rabies needs to be addressed immediately.

Learn why it’s important to spay or neuter your dog.

If your dog seems to be suffering from an ear or skin infection, itching around the belly or face, or chewing his limbs, he may have food allergies. Many dog owners are surprised to learn that dogs can have food allergies, in much the same way as humans do.

Many store bought brands of dog food are full of fillers, colorings and proteins and it is these that are responsible for many dog allergies. Your dog’s skin and GI tract are the areas that are most commonly affected by a food allergy, whether caused by store bought dog food or something else.

As a dog owner, you should also be on the lookout for unusual behavior which can also be a sure sign that your dog has a food allergy. One example of this is scratching after eating, although if your dog has a fungal infection or other condition, he can also scratch himself.

As a general rule, try to avoid giving your dog a lot of store bought dog food that contains a lot of food coloring. One of the easiest ways of verifying what exactly is in the food you are feeding your dog is to read the ingredients on the label. It is common for dogs to have a wheat or corn allergy, although there can be a significant difference in the level of reaction.

The high amount of fat and preservatives that many dog foods contain can also lead to food allergies, and if your dog is more restless or hyper, the cause may be a food allergy. Your vet is a good source of information on food allergies and what you should and shouldn’t be feeding your dog, although reading the labels on dog food is a great place to make a start on being more aware.

A problem with your dog’s digestive system or various other issues often present the same symptoms as a food allergy, making it a challenge to accurately diagnose an allergy. Closely watching how your dog behaves before he eats, as well as during and after eating can often give you a clue as to whether it is the dog food that is causing any symptoms.

See Raw ground beef for dogs and cats.