If your dog seems off but you cannot explain why, trust that. Early warning signs are usually small: subtle behavior shifts, hesitation on stairs or jumping, appetite and digestion changes, skin and ear flare-ups, stress signals, and sleep changes. Track patterns for two weeks, then bring your notes to your vet if things are stacking up or getting worse.
Have you ever looked at your dog and thought… I cannot explain it, but something’s different?
They’re not obviously sick. Not limping. Not crying.
Just… not quite themselves.
And then you do what most of us do. You talk yourself out of it. You tell yourself it’s the weather. A weird day. Getting older. Nothing.
Here’s what I’ve learned from my dogs, fosters (and from losing my dog Bear)… the early signs are usually not loud. They’re quiet.
This post will help you spot the quiet clues earlier, without spiraling.
What you’ll get from reading to the end
- The subtle signs people miss (but vets take seriously)
- What to write down so you stop second-guessing yourself
- A simple 2-week tracking plan you can actually stick to
- When it’s “watch and track” vs “call the vet”
If your dog has been giving you that tiny gut feeling lately… keep reading.
1) Behavior changes
This is the one that sneaks up on you. Most early warning signs show up as small behavior shifts:
- less excited for things they usually love
- clingier than normal, or suddenly more distant
- less playful, less curious, less “themselves”
- slower response time, like their brain is one beat behind
This is why people say: My dog still eats. My dog still goes on walks. My dog still wags his tail.
Yep. And something can still be off.
A good rule: if you find yourself saying “it’s probably nothing” more than once… write it down.
Because the next clue usually shows up somewhere else.
2) Movement clues
This is where I want you to watch for the “pause.”
With Ginger, it wasn’t dramatic. No limp. No yelp. She just started getting up slower… and she started pausing at the top of the stairs before going down. That pause was new.
We also had a young foster dog who didn’t want to jump on the couch. Then I noticed he stumbled slightly on the stairs. Nothing else seemed wrong. But I mentioned it at his vet visit. And guess what… he tested positive for Lyme disease.
That stuck with me because it reminded me that movement changes are often one of the earliest clues… even when everything else looks normal.
Subtle movement signs to watch for:
- hesitation on stairs (especially going down)
- avoiding jumping on the couch or bed
- “two-step” jumping (using furniture like a halfway point)
- slower to stand after resting
- stiffness at the start of a walk
- choosing the easiest route around the house
Quick tip: If you see something that feels new, take a short video. It’s incredibly helpful later.
3) Appetite and digestion
Food tells you a lot… if you know your dog’s normal.
All of my dogs are very food motivated, so if one of them starts picking at food or walking away from a meal, I pay attention.
With Bear, my clue was drooling. He’d sneak off in the yard, come back like nothing happened… and later that night I’d see excessive drooling. That was my sign he’d gotten into something he shouldn’t have.
Digestion changes are easy to dismiss because they can be inconsistent:
- a skipped meal
- random grass eating
- a stool that’s off one day
- extra gas
- occasional vomiting that seems “random”
One weird day is not always a big deal. But if it keeps happening… it’s information.
What to track for digestion:
- appetite changes (less interested, slower eating, skipping meals)
- drinking more or less than usual
- vomiting or diarrhea that comes and goes
- sudden picky eating
- new gas or tummy discomfort
4) Skin and ears
Sometimes the earliest signs are visible.
With Ginger, if she eats something she’s sensitive to, I can tell fast. Her ears get red and inflamed. That’s her body waving a flag.
Common “outside” warning signs:
- paw licking (especially at night)
- sudden itchiness
- recurring ear gunk or head shaking
- hot spots that seem to appear out of nowhere
- coat changes (dull, greasy, sudden shedding changes)
These signs do not automatically mean something scary. But they do mean your dog’s body is reacting to something… and it’s worth tracking.
📖 Read: The Secret to Getting Rid of Ear Infections
📖 Read: Does My Dog Have Allergies?
5) Stress signals: rescue dogs carry this differently
Rescue dogs often have nervous systems that stay on alert longer than we realize. And stress doesn’t always look like shaking in a corner.
Sometimes it looks like:
- yawning when they are not tired
- lip licking when there is no food
- trouble settling in the evening
- pacing, scanning, watching windows
- suddenly more jumpy than usual
Long-term stress can show up as digestive issues, sleep problems, skin flare-ups, and behavior changes… which is why these categories overlap so much.
📖 Read: Understanding dog body language
6) Sleep changes: the clue people miss most
Sleep tells you a lot because it’s hard to fake.
As Ginger has gotten older, I’ve noticed a pattern: when she’s having a food reaction or a UTI is brewing, she’s more likely to wake up at night needing to go out.
It’s easy to think it’s nothing. But sleep disruption is one of those early clues that can show up before anything else becomes obvious.
Sleep changes to watch for:
- restlessness or pacing at night
- waking up more often
- suddenly needing reassurance
- sleeping way more than usual
- choosing different sleeping spots than normal
If you’re thinking “this is new”… write it down.
Quick cheat sheet: what to notice and what to do
| What you notice | What it can mean | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| Your dog seems “not themselves” | Early behavior change | Track it for 2 weeks |
| Hesitation on stairs or jumping | Pain, weakness, stiffness | Take a short video, note frequency |
| Appetite or digestion changes | Stress, inflammation, illness | Track meals, stool, treats, water |
| Itchy skin, ear flare-ups | Allergy, sensitivity, immune response | Track triggers, seasonality, food |
| More stress signals than usual | Nervous system overload | Reduce triggers, add calming routine |
| Sleep disruption | Pain, GI issues, UTI, stress | Track timing, potty needs, restlessness |
Tracking the signs
This is the simplest way to stop second-guessing yourself. For 14 days, write down just 3 things:
- What you noticed (example: paused at the stairs)
- When it happened (morning? after walks? evening?)
- Anything that might connect (new treats, weather shift, guests, schedule change)
That’s it. You are collecting clues.
And if you do need to call your vet, you’ll have something way more helpful than “he’s been weird lately.”
When I would call the vet sooner
I don’t think you need to panic over every small change. But I also don’t think you need to wait until it’s extreme. I’d call if:
- the changes are getting worse day to day or week to week
- multiple signs are stacking up (sleep, plus appetite, plus movement)
- your dog’s personality feels noticeably different
- your gut says, this isn’t my dog
If you’re unsure, you can always say: “I’m noticing a few subtle changes, and I tracked them for 2 weeks. Can I talk through whether this needs a visit?”
Want the easiest way to track all this?
If you’ve ever walked into a vet appointment and your mind went blank, you’re not alone.
That’s exactly why I created the Better Together Dog Wellness Bundle. It gives you a simple place to track symptoms, patterns, food changes, flare-ups, and questions… so you feel calm and prepared instead of scrambled.
And if you want more simple, natural ways to support your dog’s health at home, grab my free guide: Natural Remedies for Your Dog Reference Guide.
FAQ
What are the earliest signs a dog is sick?
Usually small behavior shifts first, then subtle movement changes, appetite or digestion changes, sleep disruption, and skin or ear flare-ups.
My dog is acting normal most of the time. Should I still worry?
Not necessarily. But if the same “small thing” keeps happening, track it for 2 weeks. Patterns are what matter.
How do I tell stress from pain?
Sometimes you cannot at first, and that’s okay. Track what happens and when. Stress tends to be situation-based. Pain often shows up with movement, rest, or touch. If you’re unsure, ask your vet.
When should I call the vet?
If symptoms are stacking up, worsening, or your gut is telling you something is truly off… call.
