A calm blue-merle Australian Shepherd resting in a sunlit meadow

PawOrigins free resource

The Symptom
Red Flag Guide.

Everyday changes that are easy to dismiss, and what they might actually be telling you.

Explore the 7 signs ↓ Keep the checklist close ↘
Educational pet-health guide Scroll to read ↓
01Read the quiet version

A little context

Most dogs don’t get sick dramatically.
They get sick quietly.

A bit more tired than usual. A skipped meal. Something that feels a little off.

This guide covers seven everyday changes owners commonly notice but often wait too long to act on—not because they don’t care, but because each one can look like nothing on its own. Grouped together with the details that matter, they become much easier to read correctly.

Australian Shepherd resting quietly beside a bright window
Notice the change. Then notice the details.

The useful part

Small changes are still information.

Look for what changed, what came with it, and whether there is a clear reason. That is often more useful than asking whether a symptom seems “serious enough.”

The field guide

Seven signs worth
paying attention to.

Move through the guide one careful sign at a time. The red flag is never the only detail—but it is a reason to call.

01

Quiet sign

Shaking or trembling

What it can mean

Shaking has a wide range of causes. Being cold, pain, fear or anxiety, nausea, low blood sugar, and neurological issues can all look similar from the outside.

What to notice

Is it isolated to one part of the body or whole-body? Is there an obvious trigger—cold, a stressful sound, a new environment? Is it paired with vomiting, weakness, or disorientation?

When to worry

Shaking with no obvious cause, shaking that does not stop once the trigger is removed, or shaking alongside weakness, vomiting, or disorientation warrants a vet call. Isolated shaking with a clear, mild trigger is usually not urgent.

02

Quiet sign

Panting excessively at rest

What it can mean

Panting outside of heat or exercise can point to pain, heart or respiratory issues, Cushing’s disease, or anxiety.

What to notice

Does it happen at rest, in a cool environment, with no clear trigger? Is it paired with restlessness, pacing, or an inability to settle?

When to worry

Panting that does not match the environment or activity level—especially if it is new or progressively worse—deserves a vet conversation rather than being written off as “just warm” or “just excited.”

03

Quiet sign

Not eating for 24+ hours

What it can mean

A skipped meal here and there is not unusual. A full 24 hours of not eating is a different signal, and the right level of concern depends on a few other factors.

What to notice

Is your dog still drinking water? Do they seem otherwise normal, or also lethargic, vomiting, or in visible discomfort? Puppies, seniors, and dogs with existing conditions have a lower threshold for concern.

When to worry

Any dog not eating for 24 hours combined with lethargy, vomiting, or visible discomfort needs same-day attention. A puppy not eating for even half that time is worth a same-day call, since puppies decline faster than adult dogs.

04

Quiet sign

Vomiting yellow or white foam

What it can mean

This is often bile, especially when it happens on an empty stomach, and is common in dogs who go a long stretch between meals. It can also point to gastritis or reflux.

What to notice

Does it happen consistently at the same time—often early morning, before the first meal? Is it isolated or repeated? Is your dog otherwise eating and acting normally?

When to worry

An occasional episode in a dog who is otherwise well is often manageable with a schedule adjustment, such as a small meal before bed. Repeated foamy vomiting, or vomiting alongside lethargy or appetite loss, is worth a vet visit.

05

Quiet sign

Losing weight while eating normally

What it can mean

Normal or increased appetite paired with weight loss can point toward the body not properly using or absorbing the food it is getting. Causes can include intestinal parasites, diabetes, thyroid disease, and malabsorption issues.

What to notice

How much weight, and over what time frame? Has appetite or thirst also changed? Have energy levels shifted?

When to worry

This combination always deserves a vet visit, even without other symptoms. It is rarely something to watch and wait on, since underlying causes generally need diagnosis—not time—to resolve.

06

Quiet sign

Sleeping way more than usual

What it can mean

Some increase in sleep is normal with age. A significant, sudden change is different, and can point to pain, an underlying metabolic issue, or low mood.

What to notice

Is this a gradual shift, which is more typical of normal aging, or a sudden one? Is your dog still interested in things they normally enjoy when engaged, or completely withdrawn even then?

When to worry

A sudden, marked increase in sleep—especially paired with reduced interest in things your dog normally enjoys—is worth a vet visit to rule out a physical cause before assuming it is just age or mood.

07

Quiet sign

Won’t stop licking their paws

What it can mean

Persistent paw licking can point to environmental or food allergies, a yeast or bacterial infection, an injury or foreign object between the toes, or sometimes anxiety or boredom.

What to notice

Which paw or paws? Does the skin look red, have an odor, or look different between the toes? Is it constant or does it happen at specific times, such as after walks or meals?

When to worry

Licking that is constant, causing hair loss or raw skin, or affecting only one paw is worth a vet visit. Mild, occasional licking is often manageable at home once the cause is identified.

Quick reference

When to
worry.

Keep this list close for the next time something seems a little off.

Select items to keep track of them on this device.

Any single item above is worth a call to your vet, even if your dog seems otherwise fine.

Keep it close

The dogs who get caught early are usually the ones whose owners noticed the quiet version of a problem.

None of these signs are dramatic on their own, and that is exactly the point. Keep this guide saved. The next time something seems a little off, you’ll know what to actually look for.

Return to the guide ↑