One of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) by dog parents, "When should I take my dog to a vet?". And it would surprise you how hesitant people are to visit a veterinarian for their pet. 

To ease the confusion of many pet parents on the topic, we have curated a few points to look out for that can suggest that your pet needs professional help.

If you are a new dog parent, this blog would be really helpful for you so keep on reading! 

(Images rights reserved with Petstreet.in)

Other than the initial years of a dog's life when it's a puppy, there are other times you need to visit a vet. Just like a newborn baby requires certain vaccinations and shots to be safe from harmful health conditions, puppies require them too. That's why it's important to take your pup to a vet on a regular basis, or as suggested by the doctor.

As the puppy grows, there would be times when you wouldn't understand if it's feeling sick, or unhappy. You need to look out for certain signs that can tell you about their situation. 

But first, let's look into some scenarios that if taken place need urgent medical attention.

Clear signs your dog needs a doctor

• Apparent sickness or injury, like vomiting, or extended bouts of diarrhea
• Any type of accident, like getting hit by a car
• Unconsciousness, or seizures
• Dizziness, running into objects, not being able to orient
• Bloated stomach
• Being bit by another dog or animal 

These are clear signs that require you, a pet parent, to take your furry friend to a veterinarian and get him/her checked. 

But are these the only signs that require you to take your dog to a vet? No, there are other signs to look out for as well. Some of which are very commonly ignored by many. Let's take a look!

Signs you might be ignoring but you shouldn't

Now let's look into some less clear signs that suggest it's time to pay the vet a visit. 

Abnormal bathroom habits

Are you noticing a significant change in your dog's bathroom habits? Such as, not pooping the number of times it used to, change in color, odor, consistency of the poop, or blood in the stool. If yes, then it is time to take him to a vet.

Not drinking enough water or drinking too much water 

Yes, both situations may call for a doctor's visit. If you see that your dog is drinking too much water, then it could be an early sign of kidney disease or diabetes. 

Eating less than usual

This is a very common sign of suggesting that something is wrong. It may be one of many reasons and your dog needs to visit a pet to get some clarity. 

Important note-

One of the most common mistakes people make here is that they wait for too long to see if something is actually wrong. Don't do that! You should wait for only 2 days to visit a doctor if your pet isn't eating properly. Don't extend it to a point where your dog's condition gets worse.

Major hair loss

Do you notice bald patches or tufts of loose hair on your dog? This might be a sign of thyroid disease. It could also be because of ticks and fleas, so a quick checkup is required.

Dog seems uninterested in walks, or extra tired

Tiredness and lethargic behavior can be signs of medical issues, such as infections, pain in some part of the body, and many other diseases. It could be that your dog is feeling some kind of pain and is avoiding much movement because of it.

To sum it up-

If there is anything unusual that you notice about your dog, just take him/her to a vet. We advise you not to wait for many days before you make a visit to the clinic as prevention is better than cure. And what's the drawback in an early visit? A few bucks of consultation charges, that's it. It's obviously better than to put off going to a doc.