How to tell if your puppy is sick or just tired? Acquiring a dog, let alone a puppy is thrilling and terrifying. Puppies are bubbly, bouncy, full of life in most aspects, and sometimes very sleepy. But how can you navigate your concern when all you see is a screaming puppy begging for your attention? Most pet owners must understand this difference for their canine companions’ well-being.
This article will discuss loud signs of illness in puppies and their typical signs of tiredness. Additionally, we will teach you how to check your puppy’s health to avoid any trouble caused by infection.
Is My Puppy Just Tired Or Sick?
Puppies sleep a lot. It is common for them to slumber for as much as 18 hours per day! Thanks to the provisions of caretakers, as babies do, they also grow very well. However, there are moments when the baby dogs’ behavior could be accompanied by fatigue, indicating a more worrying issue.
Let’s see how one can tell the two apart:
Common Signs of Tiredness
A tired puppy will most likely:
- Play less or ultimately stop playing
- Look for a warm place to lie down
- Yawn or do a lot of stretches
- Close your eyes and doze off in no time
- Nap for a couple of hours and feel awake again
These behaviors are standard! Puppies enjoy engaging in active play and thus require plenty of naps in between.
Warning Signs of Illness
Otherwise, if your dog has any underlying condition, they will show other signs.
- Inactive When Necessary: Instead of just feeling drowsy, your puppy would appear passive without wanting to move or play, even after a long nap.
- Anorexia: Likewise, you should be concerned if your pup is not interested in eating or drinking.
- Nausea and Vomiting or Diarrhea: These are glaring c indications that your puppy has an upset tummy.
- Upper Respiratory Symptoms: Coughing or Sneezing. Whenever the puppy suffers from upper respiratory complications, this weakens them.
- Fluttering Apparatus: This could indicate that they have a high temperature or are otherwise ill.
- Gums Looking Pale: Normal gums are faint pink in color. A broader range of health complications can enable pale gums.
What Causes a Puppy to Be Tired?
Puppies are active creatures; therefore, the moment they appear lethargic, it can be worrying. Thankfully! It can look like your young dog is much more tired than usual for many reasons. List the most widespread reasons.
1. Play Time Fatigue
Puppies expend great energy in playing, learning, and exploring the environment. It is natural for them to experience a lull afterward, especially after a day of strenuous activities. It is like when the children return home after spending the entire day at the park—they are exhausted.
2. Growth Change
Puppies want to sleep more during growth change periods to aid their growing bones. Factors such as sleepy-growth change phases also affect puppies because they are like human toddlers.
3. Post Vaccination Effects
Various vaccines must be administered to puppies to be safe from deadly diseases. It is usual for your puppy to appear a bit listless and unwell for a day or two after administering the vaccination. This, however, is acceptable, but it should take some time. However, if they still seem off after 24-48 hours, contact your veterinarian for advice.
4. High Temperatures
The high temperatures will also make puppies, just like humans, undergo fatigue during the day. It may be an unnecessary exercise for your puppy, which requires frequent resting periods due to the heat. Always ensure that there is sufficient water for them as well as a cool place out of the heat.
How to Tell if Your Puppy Is Sick?
It’s understandable to feel sleepy sometimes, but illness is different. So, what do you watch out for? Several obvious signs suggest other underlying issues may exacerbate fatigue.
1. Not Showing Interest in Food
It is usual for a puppy to miss a few meals here and there. But if your puppy goes over a day without eating, this can indicate a more serious medical condition, such as an infection or a stomach upset.
2. Unsound Breathing
These symptoms include coughs and wheezes, the most notable being rapid inhaling and exhaling or labored breathing. So, a vet must be consulted if the puppy gasps for air when it has not been running around for some time.
3. Excessive Lethargy or Tremors
Exhaustive puppies may tend to sleep for long hours but should have some energy when the sleep ends. A pup that is shaky, weak, or even cannot stand still out of a good standing position may have improper sugar levels or other complications.
4. Inflammation of the Gums
Most of the puppies’ kettles have pink gums. If your pup’s gums appear blue, gray, or pale, this may indicate a lack of oxygen or water. It is extreme and suggests that the patient should be promptly attended to.
5. Thirst over Water Ingestion
This should snap back into place instantly. If it remains up or returns to place slowly, then the dog will likely suffer from dehydration. If this problem persists, the puppy should be taken to the vet to ensure plenty of water is consumed.
Differences Between a Tired Puppy and a Sick Puppy
| Tired Puppy | Sick Puppy |
| Sleeps a lot, but wakes up energetic | Sleeps a lot and stays lethargic |
| Eats normally | Refuses to eat or drink |
| No vomiting or diarrhea | Vomiting or diarrhea present |
| Active and playful after rest | Weak and shaky, even after resting |
| Responds well to affection | Seems unresponsive or uninterested in people |
What You Can Do at Home to Help a Tired or Sick Puppy
Puppy care when tired or sick is a skill worth possessing. Here’s what you can do to help:
For a Tired Puppy:
Offer a Space to Rest of Their Choice: Puppies need a place with minimal distraction to regain the lost energy as they do not go out to play most of the time. A corner of the house with a soft bed is just perfect.
Avoid Excessive Play: As with most canines, playing activities are well-tolerated or even encouraged.
However, if you bring this aspect of their lives too much, sick or seriously fatigued puppies might put on quite a show. If your puppy appears slightly overplayed, reduce the length of similar sessions and allow prolonged rest periods.
Ensure Adequate Water Intake: How well your puppy will be active throughout the day and whether it will be active at all will depend on how much water it can drink when needed.
On hot days, this rule is fundamental. Always provide fresh and clean water.
For a Sick Puppy:
Observe Their Symptoms: Look for any changes in their behavior, appetite, or energy levels, and record such changes to inform the veterinarian.
Advise on Offering Little Soft Food: If a puppy lacks appetite, small bland food portions like boiled rice or chicken can be introduced.
Keep Them at the Right Temperature: Ensure the puppy is at the right temperature. Provide a blanket in case it is cold and a shaded area in case it is hot.
Keeping Your Puppy Healthy
The most efficient way to cure illnesses a puppy may have is to adequately care for them daily. There are a few essential tips for ensuring that your puppy is always healthy:
1. Periodic Visits to Animal Clinic
Regular check-ups with a vet are essential as they involve vaccination, advice on growth, and a general assessment of your puppy’s well-being.
2. Appropriate Diet
Another thing to consider is the type of food the puppy takes. Ensure it is almost exclusively high-quality puppy food.
3. Adequate Activities
Exercise is equally important as much as they are puppies and will want lots of naps. Doggy play dates, walks, and toys should be provided to keep them busy.
4. Interaction with other people and Animals
Puppies should not be shielded because they haven’t been to new places or met other dogs. Bringing puppies out allows them to become accustomed to the world, reducing stress or anxiety, which can sometimes drain or unfit a dog.
5. Cleanliness of Their Area
Both puppies are adventurous, but one may be worse than the other. Illness may strike them if their basins, toys, and sleeping places are infected with germs.
When Should One Go to the Vet?
The following are such instances that require the need for professional assistance:
- Your Puppy Is Vomiting Or Has Diarrhea: This can be serious – stomach flu or, worse, parvovirus, which can be life-threatening in puppies.
- Your Puppy Won’t Eat Or Drink: Not eating or drinking for more than a day is detrimental since it can lead to dehydration, which is very dangerous for young pups.
- Your Puppy Is Very Weak: If your puppy appears too tired even when offered ample rest and even too weak, then it is time to take the animal to the vet.
- Other changes in behavior: For example, after playing all day with its puppy, the dog suddenly quietens down.
In conclusion, As a Responsible pet owner, you are the best person to evaluate your puppy. If it does not look right, then there is something wrong. Even though sleeping for a long time might be expected, any indication of sickness should be addressed.
It is easy to differentiate between puppies who are sick and those who are simply tired. This knowledge will enable you to take the necessary measures to keep your pet happy and healthy. In case of doubt, it is essential to inform one’s vet—preventive measures are always advisable to help maintain the puppy’s health.
Therefore, you can attend to your puppy and provide the necessary care that they require, preventing any unforeseen challenges. Happy parenting, puppies!