Seven Signs Your Pet Should See a Vet Today

Pets are good at hiding pain. It is an old survival instinct: in the wild, an animal that looks weak becomes a target, so cats and dogs often carry on as normal long after something has started to hurt. If you notice any of these, call us — we keep same-day spots open every day, because some problems simply cannot wait until next week.

This guide covers seven signs that mean your pet should be seen today. It is not a complete list, and it is not a replacement for a conversation with your veterinarian. Think of it as a set of red flags to keep in mind, so you can act quickly when it counts. If your pet seems seriously unwell and we are closed, contact your nearest emergency animal hospital right away.

Breathing and eating

Labored breathing, not eating for a day, or repeated vomiting all deserve a call. These are three of the most common reasons families phone our front desk, and they are all worth taking seriously.

Trouble breathing

Breathing problems top our list because they can become serious very quickly. Watch for fast or noisy breathing while your pet is resting, breathing with the belly working hard, stretching the neck out to breathe, or gums that look pale, gray or blue. Cats should almost never breathe with their mouths open. If your cat is panting and has not just been playing hard, call us right away.

Not eating for 24 hours

A skipped meal on a hot day is not always a concern. A full day without eating is different, especially for cats. Cats who stop eating can develop liver problems in a short time, and many illnesses first show up as a loss of appetite. For dogs, refusing favorite treats is often a sign that something is wrong.

Repeated vomiting

Most pets vomit once in a while, and a single episode with a happy pet afterward is usually not an emergency. Vomiting several times in a few hours, vomiting with lethargy, or vomit that contains blood all mean it is time to call. Vomiting combined with a swollen belly is especially urgent in dogs.

When in doubt, call. We would rather see a healthy pet than miss a sick one.

Emily, veterinarian at Maple & Paw Animal Hospital

Emily says families sometimes wait because they worry about overreacting. “Nobody on our team will ever make you feel silly for calling,” she says. “Some of our happiest visits are the ones where we say, good news, everything looks fine.”

Behavior changes

Hiding, limping or crying when touched usually means something hurts. You know your pet better than anyone, and a change in personality is often the earliest and most reliable warning sign you will get.

A friendly dog who growls when you touch a certain spot, a social cat who spends the day under the bed, or a pet who will not settle and keeps pacing are all worth a closer look. Other subtle signs include sleeping more than usual, hesitating on stairs, not wanting to jump onto furniture, or licking one area over and over.

Straining to pee

This one deserves special attention, particularly in male cats. A cat who goes to the litter box again and again, strains, cries or produces only a few drops may have a urinary blockage. A blockage is a true emergency and can become life-threatening within a day. Dogs who strain to urinate, have accidents in the house or have blood in their urine should also be seen promptly.

Sudden limping

A mild limp after a busy day at the park may ease with rest. A pet who will not put any weight on a leg, cries when it is touched, or has a visibly swollen joint or paw should be seen the same day. Limping can be caused by anything from a cut paw pad to a torn ligament, and early care often means a faster recovery.

The urgent extras

Two more signs round out our list, and both call for a phone call right away rather than a wait-and-see approach.

A swollen belly. In dogs, especially large, deep-chested breeds, a belly that suddenly looks swollen or tight, combined with restlessness, drooling or trying to vomit without bringing anything up, can be a sign of a serious condition in which the stomach fills with gas and may twist. This needs emergency care immediately.

Ate something toxic. Common household items can be dangerous to pets, including certain human medications, chocolate, grapes and raisins, sugar-free gum, lilies (for cats), rodent bait and some houseplants. If you think your pet ate something harmful, call us or an animal poison control line right away. Do not try to make your pet vomit unless a veterinarian tells you to, and bring the packaging with you if you can.

Call us if you see

Here is the full list in one place. Save it on your phone or stick it to the fridge so everyone in the family knows what to watch for.

• Trouble breathing
• Not eating for 24 hours
• Repeated vomiting
• Straining to pee
• Sudden limping
• Swollen belly
• Ate something toxic

Key takeaway: Trust your instincts. If your pet seems off and you are not sure why, a quick call to our team is always the right first step.

Seniors, babies and pets with health conditions

Some pets need an even lower bar for a phone call. Very young puppies and kittens can become dehydrated quickly from vomiting or diarrhea, and they have fewer reserves to fall back on. Senior pets, and pets with ongoing conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease or heart disease, can also go downhill faster when something new goes wrong. If your pet falls into one of these groups, call us sooner rather than later, even for signs that might seem minor in a healthy adult.

It also helps to know what normal looks like for your own pet. Take a moment on a calm day to notice how fast your pet breathes while sleeping, what color their gums are and how much they usually eat and drink. Those baselines make it much easier to spot a change, and much easier to describe it to our team when you call.

What happens when you call

When you phone us with a concern, a member of our team will ask a few questions about what you are seeing and how long it has been going on. Based on your answers, we may ask you to come in right away, offer you one of our same-day appointments later that day, or, if the signs suggest a true emergency, direct you to the nearest emergency hospital so your pet can be seen as fast as possible.

Before you head over, take a moment to jot down when the problem started, what your pet has eaten in the last day, any medications they take and anything unusual you noticed. If your pet vomited or had diarrhea, a photo on your phone can be surprisingly helpful. Transport cats and small dogs in a secure carrier, and keep larger dogs on a short leash.

This article offers general information and is not a substitute for an exam. Every pet is different, and our veterinarians will always tailor their advice to your animal. We keep same-day spots open every day for exactly these moments, so please do not hesitate to use them.