If you are an experienced pet owner, it is usually possible for you to tell pretty quickly what’s wrong with your dog. But sometimes they can exhibit strange symptoms and you don’t know what they mean.
In this post, we look at some of the weird behaviors and effects of illness that can afflict dogs and what you should do about them.
Grazing on grass
One of the first things you might notice is your dog grazing on grass. Sometimes, this can be harmless, but, in other cases, it can indicate that they have an upset stomach or a nutritional deficiency of some kind. Many dogs will eat grass to induce vomiting, so, if you notice this sort of behavior, consult a vet. Get them to rule out some sort of infection or something else that might be affecting your dog’s alimentary canal.
Butt-dragging
Butt dragging is another symptom that you might notice. Usually, it’s a sign of irritation around the anal area and usually means your dog has a problem with allergies or worms. It could also mean an impaction of the anal glands, which can also cause irritation.
If you notice this is persistent or carries on for longer than normal, then consult a vet. They can provide you a treatment that avoids your dog from getting an infection.
Back legs shaking
If you see dogs back legs shaking, then that might also be a cause for concern.
The most common reason for this is that your dog is responding to the environment, sometimes it can just be because they’re cold. However, it might also reveal an underlying health issue or even something mental like anxiety. Again, it’s something to check out. If your dog’s back legs are shaking regularly, then you’ll want to take them to the vet to see what the root cause is. Usually, there’s something going on that’s leading to either weakness or pain that they can’t express.
Dog tail chasing
Seeing a dog chasing its tail can be quite funny the first time they do it, and sometimes it’s just because they’re curious about their own bodies. However, in older dogs, it’s often something that’s repetitive and even compulsive.
If your dog is chasing its tail, then the most common reasons are things like boredom and anxiety, usually it just means they haven’t been out enough. In rarer occasions, it could be fleas or allergies causing the itchiness. Either way, you’ll want to take action to try and get to the bottom of the problem.
Head tilting
Finally, you might notice your dog’s head tilting. The most common reason they do this is to adjust their ears to better localise sound or understand what you’re saying. It’s quite cute when you first see it, but if there’s something more persistent than that, then it might indicate a problem. For example, dogs with ear infections will often tilt their heads to one side more than another. Sometimes it can be because they’re in pain. They might also have vestibular disease, which is another type of infection that dogs can get.
The good news is that you can resolve these easily with antibiotics, just go to the vet.
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.
