How to Care for a Sick Puppy

Co-authored by Lauren Baker, DVM, PhD

Last Updated: August 28, 2022 References

If your puppy is sick, there is a lot that you can do as a pet owner to help keep it comfortable and speed up its recovery. Remain calm, since your puppy will grow anxious if it notices that you are acting stressed. Your puppy depends on your caregiving, so be sure it is comfortable and safe, and contact your local veterinarian for professional assistance.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Keeping Your Puppy Comfortable

1
Take note of any abnormal behavior. Some behavioral red flags include a loss of appetite, lethargy, shaking, weakness, unusual sensitivity to being touched or handled, or aggression without cause. Make a list of your pet's symptoms so that you can relay these to the vet.^{[1]
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2
Encourage your pet to lie down. Put together a comfortable bed for your puppy and try to lure it to the bed using toys and praise. Your puppy will likely be eager to rest if it is feeling ill. If your puppy is crate trained, put it in the crate so that you can keep an eye on it more easily.

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3
Speak in a calm voice. Try to calm your dog with a soft voice and soothing words. Your puppy takes its cues from you, so stay calm and reassure your puppy that it will be okay. They will pick up on your loving tone and will feel more at ease.
4
Give small amounts of water to your puppy. Encourage your puppy to drink water, as it is important to keep it hydrated while it is recovering from an illness. However, drinking too much at once could have a negative effect on your puppy, so monitor its water intake. If your puppy is unable to swallow water without vomiting, contact your veterinarian right away.
5
Feed your puppy a bland diet if it is vomiting or having diarrhea. If your puppy is able to eat, feed it white meat, such as boiled chicken or boiled fish (cod or coley), with white rice. You should give your pet one cup (0.24 liters) of food per 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of weight each day. Continue this bland diet for 1-2 days following the day your puppy first became sick. You can then return your pup to its normal diet if the symptoms cease.^{[2]
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- If your puppy refuses to eat, or if it is having severe diarrhea or vomiting, take it to the vet right away. These problems can contribute to low blood sugar and dehydration, which can make your puppy's illness much worse.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Seeking Medical Care

1
Recognize when to take your pet to the vet. Take your puppy to the vet immediately if it is having severe symptoms or symptoms that last longer than 1 day. If your puppy is in an emergency situation, the vet will assist you right away. Go to the nearest animal hospital immediately if your puppy shows any of these symptoms:^{[3]
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- Difficulty breathing
- Unconsciousness
- Excessive bleeding
- Known exposure to a toxic substance
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Broken bones
- Breathing difficulties
- Seizures
- Inability to urinate
- Straining or difficulty during defecation
- Swellings around its face, eyes or throat
- Weakness or lethargy
2
Call the veterinarian. Look up the number for a local pet doctor either online or in the phone book. Clearly specify what you have observed the puppy's symptoms to be, and express your worries. It's a great plan to choose an animal hospital that's been accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), especially if there is a chance that your puppy may be seriously ill.
- Sometimes, the veterinarian will know immediately what is wrong with your dog, so they may tell you over the phone to ease your concern. However, sometimes they will not be sure until they check the puppy in person.
3
Make an appointment if your puppy is stable. Ask for the soonest available appointment, and agree on a meeting time. Take note of the agreed-upon appointment so that you do not forget. Try to be patient, since although your puppy's sickness is your number-one concern, the doctor may have a full schedule of appointments already. If you're worried, ask what you should do for your dog in the time leading up to the appointment.
4
Travel safely with your puppy. Due to its discomfort or pain, your puppy may be reluctant to get into the car with you. Some dogs also get anxious about visiting the veterinarian or about meeting new people.
- Offer your puppy a treat to reward them for getting into the car. Drive carefully, and, however tempting, do not let the puppy sit on your lap while you drive, as this could be dangerous for you both.
5
Follow the vet's recommendations. The doctor will probably write a prescription for medication, so be sure to have this filled and give your puppy the proper doses. Be sure that your puppy gets plenty of water and rest.
- It is important to follow the recommended care regimen exactly, since this will ensure a speedy recovery for your pet. Try to keep the environment around the puppy calm and quiet while it recovers.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Preventing Future Sickness

1
Follow up on any necessary treatments. You may have to go to a follow-up appointment, depending on the severity of your puppy's illness. Be sure to ask the vet about ongoing treatment or medication, such as flea medicine, which you will be responsible for administering to your puppy.
2
Keep your dog away from dangerous foods. Food such as chocolate and drinks such as alcohol or coffee can be deadly to dogs. Do your research and keep toxic foods out of reach so that your puppy does not accidentally eat these hazardous meals.^{[4]
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3
Give your puppy plenty of exercise. Dogs can become ill or depressed if they do not get enough exercise or time outside. Certain puppy breeds will require more exercise than others, so be sure to do research about your specific dog type and learn their needs.^{[5]
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4
Get regular vaccines and preventative care. In order to prevent sickness in the future, be sure to take your puppy to the veterinarian for regular check-ups and vaccines. Allow your veterinarian to determine the vaccination schedule for your dog, as this may vary depending on dog breed and size, and the area where you live.^{[6]
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5
Care for your puppy's overall health. Clean your dog's teeth daily, give it regular baths, and groom it each month so that its hair stays out of its line of vision. Be sure to clip your puppy's toenails to keep the puppy comfortable and prevent accidental scratching.
- If your puppy begins itching behind its ears more than usual, check the ears for potential pests, such as ticks, that may be hiding there. If you notice redness or unusual discharge inside the ear, take your puppy to the vet to be checked for an ear infection.
- As a general rule, you should bathe your puppy whenever it becomes noticeably oily, smelly, or dirty. Bathing your puppy every week may dry out and damage its skin and fur, unless you are using a very gentle, high-quality shampoo.