According to the WHO (World Health Organization), health is defined as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. We can apply this definition to our dogs too.
It’s not only the absence of diseases that makes a dog healthy, a dog needs to be mentally well as well. What does that mean?
Think about this – is a dog a healthy dog if it has no diseases but spends its entire life caged or on a leash somewhere without contact with other dogs or other people but the one ‘owning’ it?
Physical Health Signs of a Healthy Dog (Weight, Coat, Eyes & More)
When discussing physical health, we are talking about the absence of disease. There are no dysfunctions in a dog’s body, organs, or parts of a body. Everything works well and there is no pain. There are no malignant or benign changes.
There are certain ‘rules’ we can follow and check if everything is alright with our dog.
How to Assess Your Dog’s Ideal Weight (Breed & Body Condition Tips)
Every breed is different, so talking about an ideal weight depends on the breed and from dog to dog. If you take a look at the AKCs weight charts, you will notice they don’t say, for example, a German Shepherd has to weigh 80 or 90 pounds. It is all individual, so the proper weight for an adult GSD is from 65 to 90 pounds.
But, there’s more to it than just the pounds. The best way to determine if your dog is overweight, underweight, or a perfect weight (depending on age, sex, and breed) is to follow the Body Condition Score (or BCS) – the canine equivalent of human BMI.
The image of BCS is made available thanks to the WSAVA.
It is subjective, but it quickly tells us if everything is alright with the dog regarding its weight. We just have to be honest with ourselves first and admit that our dog is a bit overweight and that we should probably cut the additional snacks.
Coat and Skin Health: What a Shiny Coat Says About Your Dog
Your dog’s coat is a good indicator of its health. It should be smooth and shiny. Of course, how smooth it is depends on the breed. There are some dog breeds that have a more coarse coat type, such as Terriers. However, in most cases, the coat should be smooth to the touch.
We are talking about a clean coat, not the one we can feel after a mud bath. So, if your dog’s coat feels smooth and looks shiny when you groom him and remove all the dirt, then you’re doing a good job keeping your dog healthy.
Skin also plays a big role in telling us if there is something wrong. The skin should be flexible and clear, pink or black – depending on the breed. It should not be flaky, bumpy, dry, itchy, blotchy, or have any other discolorations.
Healthy Eyes and Nose: Clear, Bright, and Normal Discharge Explained
No matter the color of your dog’s iris, the whites of the dog should be white. They should not be red, yellow, or any other possible color.
As for the pupil, it should be clear, and the whole eye should have a clear and bright appearance with no foreign objects or bumps. And no discharges.
What is acceptable? Clear, watery discharge from time to time in small amounts.
What is not OK? Yellowish, green, white, or grayish discharge.
What is definitely not okay? Bloody discharge – take your dog to a vet.
A healthy dog’s nose should be wet and cool. However, some dogs can have a dry nose too. It doesn’t mean they are sick. It depends on the dog’s activity, age, and weather conditions/exposure.
When is a dry nose normal: after a nap, during exercise, strong wind, old age.
You should take your dog to a vet if it has a dry nose but also loss of appetite, lack of energy, change in stool, etc.
Dog Dental Health: Clean Teeth, Healthy Gums
Just like people, dogs should have clean teeth with no calculus or holes. If it’s not a puppy changing its milk teeth, then they should be firm and not loose.
Gums should be salmon pink, a darker shade of pink, or black (if it’s a dog with black pigmentation). But, the vivid red color with discharge, enlargement, or open wounds is, as you already know, a big sign that something is wrong.
Pale gums are also a sign of something happening in the dog’s body. And by pale, I mean an almost white, light pink coloration of the gums.
Behavioral Signs Your Dog Is Healthy (Energy, Appetite & Mood)
Besides a healthy appearance, your dog’s behavior is also an indicator of good (or bad) health. Once again, each dog is unique, and overall behavior depends on age, personality, breed, etc.
We cannot compare an adult Belgian Malinois with a Shih Tzu in regard to their eating habits or activity levels, but some things are the same.
Appetite should always be present. A dog can sometimes eat more or less, but in general, it should always have the appetite to eat its food.
Drinking water is also essential. Just remember that the amount of water they need change depending on the season and temperature. So, it is normal for a dog to drink more water in summer and less in winter. It also depends on the dog’s activity level.
Defecation (need to poop) and urination (need to pee) are daily occurrences. It can have some variations, but should happen at least once a day with urination more than once – every 4 to 6 hours.
Playfulness depends on the breed and age, but a dog should look interested and happy in what his favorite human has to offer or wants to do. A lethargic dog is not a good sign. They should be full of energy and ready to do all the guarding tasks. Once again, energy levels vary from breed to breed.
In The End
There are general signs that tell us our dog is healthy. They are not in pain, they don’t have any changes in their body, and they eat and do other everyday business normally.
If something changes, especially abruptly, it is a sign that something’s not right. It doesn’t have to be something physical, like a parasite or bacteria. It could be something psychological, like anxiety, boredom, etc.
Whatever it is, it is our duty as their owners and friends to take them to the veterinarian. It’s better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to our best friends.
