Remember that if you suspect there is something wrong with your dog ALWAYS take it to the vet immediately. The information in this article was not written by a vet and should not be taken as medical advice.

1. A Change in Behaviour
If your dog is noticeably acting different to usual then this could be a sign there is something wrong. In some cases this could be anxiety or another emotion over a situation change, but in general behaviour changes indicate pain or an illness. As you know your dog better than anyone it should be obvious if your dogs behaviour changes, but it always helps to keep an eye out. Especially look for signs of fatigue, loss of appetite, loss of balance or anxiety.

If your dogs behaviour change lasts for more than a couple of days then you should always visit the vet to get a professional opinion.

2. Signs Of Pain
If your dogs shows obvious discomfort by biting or licking a certain area repeatedly then this could also be a sign of illness or pain. A dog in pain may also cry out or whine. Sometimes this will cause a change in behaviour too.

This symptom of pain in dogs is often caused by an injury but can also be caused by various illnesses. You should always visit your vet if your dog is in pain.

3. General Illness Symptoms
Apart from the way the dog acts there are many other external symptoms of illness. These include red eyes or swelling, ear discharge, a runny nose, coughing, diarrhoea, hair loss, weight loss, vomiting and many more. If you regularly groom your dog then you should notice these problems quickly. Once you do notice them visit a vet immediately to get a diagnosis.

If your dog is ill then the medical costs can be huge and difficult to pay. For that reason you should consider getting pet insurance. It can be a real help when your dog gets ill, so don’t overlook it.

Be aware that your dog may show some of these signs, all of them or none. It varies with every dog, but in general you should look out for:

1. The mother dog refusing food. If your dog isn’t eating then that is a sure fire way to tell there is something up. It could mean they are ill, or if it is close to giving birth it could mean labour is about to begin. Most female dogs will not want to eat anything before labour starts.

2. It is natural for the dog to try and find a safe place to give birth. This is usually somewhere warm and enclosed, so if you find the dog hiding under the bed then it could mean the puppies are on their way. It’s always a good idea to have a safe and warm place prepared for the labour as it will make your dog feel more comfortable and at ease.

3. An expecting female dog usually experiences a temperature drop around 24 hours before giving birth. Many owners think this means there is something wrong, but it is actually completely normal. However if the temperature drop lasts for more than 24 hours you should contact a vet immediately.

4. Like humans, dogs find giving birth extremely stressful. Because of this it is likely that your dog will want to be around you when the labour is about to begin.

Dog owners usually know when there is something wrong with their dog as the behaviour will change from the daily things we expect. If this happens, even if it isn’t in the form of the above guide, you should get ready for the birth. Dog pregnancies are much shorter than humans – only around 62 days – so always be prepared.