Signs of a Healthy Dog

Attitude and Appetite, Breathing and Movement

• A dog's general attitude and appetite reflect overall health. An awake dog should be bright, alert and responsive to stimuli. A dog should express interest in its environment and should have an appetite appropriate for its size.

  A dog should take about 20 to 35 breaths per minute while resting and should increase respiratory rate during exercise. Healthy dogs move with grace and coordination; loss of coordination indicates disease.

Body Condition

• Body condition reflects caloric intake. It can indicate disease or malnutrition if too low and overfeeding or an inappropriate diet and lack of exercise if too high. Body condition ranges from emaciated to obese, and it can be determined using guidelines such as the body condition scoring chart provided on the Ohio State University's College of Veterinary Medicine website.

Coat and Skin

• The coat should be shiny and feel smooth with no lumps or bumps, and hair should be curly or straight as appropriate for the breed. Any lumps or bumps, unusual or new bald areas, or crusty or discolored skin are signs of tumors, skin disorders or allergies. Discharge from the skin, dandruff or itchiness indicate skin health problems. A lack of luster or shine can indicate a skin disorder, poor nutrition or systemic disease. The coat should return immediately to a smooth and flat position when "tented" or gently pinched between thumb and fingers; if it remains tented, the dog could be dehydrated.

Eyes and Nose

• The eyes and nose should be clear with little or no discharge. Although some breeds routinely have a clear, watery eye discharge that can stain the hair under the eyes, disease conditions should be ruled out for any discharge. A thick mucus, white or discolored discharge from the eyes or nose and redness around the eyes could indicate a disease condition or trauma. A white appearance behind the cornea can result from cataracts but might occur as a normal aging change; examination by a veterinarian is needed to differentiate these conditions. Sunken eyes, or eyes recessed into their sockets, could indicate dehydration or weight loss.

Teeth, Gums and Toenails

• The teeth should be clean and white, and gums should be pink. Dogs often need regular dental care, and unhealthy teeth can lead to kidney and other disorders. Pale or discolored gums indicate disease, although many dogs have black pigment that makes interpretation of gum color difficult. Toenails when properly trimmed should be smooth and free of cracks.

Bowel Movements and Urination

• Regular, normal bowel movements and urination are signs of good health. Diarrhea or constipation and inadequate or excessive drinking and urination are often signs of health disorders. Discolored urine and feces can be signs of disease.

Changes in Conditions

• Close observation of the dog over time allows for detection of changes, which could indicate developing health conditions. For example, a dog with kidney or endocrine problems might begin a gradual increase in water intake. Consult with your veterinarian if you detect any signs of poor health or notice changes in these conditions.