No one wants to think about their pup getting sick–but staying informed is the best defense against dog health issues. That way, you can catch symptoms early, get your dog checked out, and give them the best outlook for whatever happens.

To get you prepared, here’s a list of the top 10 most common dog diseases. 

Common Dog Health Issues & Diseases

Diabetes

Around one in 400 dogs will get diabetes in their lifetime. Dogs can develop diabetes as early as age 4, but it’s not usually diagnosed until they are 7-10 years old. Female dogs are twice as likely to have diabetes, and certain breeds are also more at risk.

Dogs mostly get what we call type I diabetes. This is where the pancreas is not producing the insulin that their bodies need. 

Cause

With dog diabetes, the causes are more like risk factors. If your dog is female, older than 4, or a certain breed, they are more at risk for getting it. Dogs that have Cushing’s disease, an autoimmune disorder, or other dog health problems are also more at risk. There’s a higher risk level among pups with long-term steroid use, obesity, and multiple bouts of pancreatitis.

Signs

The most noticeable signs of a dog with diabetes are drinking, eating, and/or peeing a lot more than normal. Schedule a visit with the vet if your dog shows these symptoms: 

• Sudden accidents in the house
• Going potty more frequently
• Increased appetite
• Drinking more water than usual 
• Unexplained weight loss or lethargy

Diagnosis

When a vet suspects dog diabetes, they perform a blood or urine test to make sure. Excessive sugar in your pup’s blood and urine along with a rise in liver enzymes could lead to a diabetes diagnosis. 

Treatments

Diabetes in dogs is manageable, and your vet will be a helpful partner in this. The treatment will most likely include:

• Monitoring your pet’s blood sugar levels
• Daily insulin injections
• A special diet
• Consistent mealtimes
• Frequent vet visits at first

Kennel Cough

This infectious disease, also known as canine infectious tracheobronchitis, is like the cold or flu in doggy daycares and kennels. It’s usually not serious and will clear up in a few weeks, but it is very common. If your dog is boarded often, goes to doggy daycare, or loves to socialize with other dogs, they’re at risk for catching kennel cough.

Cause

Kennel cough is mostly caused by a bacteria called Bordetella bronchiseptica. These can spread from one dog to another through direct contact like liking or rubbing noses. It travels through the air when an infected dog sneezes or coughs. The bacteria may even stick on surfaces like bowls, floors, or kennels. 

Signs

You’ll hear long dry-sounding coughing spells from your pup. They may even cough up foamy, white liquid. Your dog may also have swollen eyelids, eye discharge, sneezing, or a runny nose. 

If it’s gotten worse, your dog could feel hot with a fever or seem sluggish or not have an appetite. Watch for yellow or green nasal discharge. If you see any of these symptoms, get your pup to the vet as soon as you can.

Diagnosis

Usually, vets can diagnose this disease by listening to the sound of their cough. If they see more serious signs, your vet may want to run a blood test or chest x-ray. They might also perform a nasal or throat swab for lab testing to see what kind of viruses or bacteria are there.

Treatment

Treating kennel cough is like treating someone with a cold. First, check with your vet to see if your pup has a mild case that can be treated at home or if they have developed pneumonia. 

If it’s mild, let your dog rest and make sure they are eating and drinking. It may take a week or two for your dog to recover. Be sure to wipe their nose and eyes often with wet towels. 

For more serious cases, the vet will probably want to keep your dog at the hospital to give them IV fluids, antibiotics, and other medications.

Parvovirus

Parvo is probably the most infamous illness on the top 10 most common dog diseases list. It mostly affects unvaccinated puppies and younger dogs, and it’s one that you do not want your puppy to get. It is extremely contagious, there’s no real treatment, and puppies can potentially die from parvo. You can prevent parvo by getting your puppy their parvo vaccines and other core vaccinations.

Cause

Parvo is spread through a virus in a dog’s stool. A dog could come into direct contact with an infected dog’s feces or a surface that was contaminated. Disinfecting surfaces is crucial because parvovirus is hard to kill and can live for many months or even years. 

Signs

Be on the lookout for a puppy that is lethargic or sluggish, isn’t eating, or feels warm. Watch for vomiting or diarrhea. If you do notice these signs, see your vet as soon as possible. 

Diagnosis

The vet will do a quick fecal swab and test it for the virus. Be aware that you can get a false negative if your dog is not shedding enough of the antigen at the time that they get tested.

Treatment

Sadly, there is no miracle treatment for parvo. The vet will probably want to keep your puppy at the hospital so they can make sure they eat and aren’t vomiting. They may need an IV for hydration. 

Heartworm Disease

This is another illness that is totally preventable and one that is very serious and hard to treat once your dog has it. Just like the name suggests, these are actual worms that live in a dog’s heart. Once a dog has heartworms, it’s very costly, difficult, and painful to treat.

Cause 

Heartworms are caused by a mosquito bite and aren’t directly contagious. First, a mosquito would need to bite an infected dog. Then the heartworms develop into larvae inside the mosquito. When the mosquito bites another dog, they pass the larvae into the dog’s body. 

These larvae spend about 6 months growing into adult heartworms inside the dog’s heart and lungs. Then they mate and send baby heartworms into the dog’s bloodstream, where another mosquito can bite the dog and start the whole thing over again.

Signs

Heartworm disease dog health problems include easily tiring out, an ongoing cough, refusing to eat, unexplained weight loss, a swollen belly, or trouble breathing. See the vet if you see these signs–especially if your dog is not on heartworm medication.

Diagnosis

Vets can easily diagnose heartworms with a test. Vets always need to test your dog for heartworms before prescribing any heartworm medication. It’s because heartworm disease is so serious, and they need to make sure your dog is not already infected because then they’ll require different treatments. A heartworm pill or shot cannot kill adult heartworms.

Treatment

The treatment for heartworm disease can be expensive and is hard on a dog’s body. It’s much more difficult to get rid of adult heartworms than to prevent them from growing into adults. Your dog will get a series of shots to kill the heartworms. Blood tests, X-rays, and hospitalization may be required in serious cases. 

Cancer

Just like humans, there are many different types of cancer that dogs can get. It’s definitely one of the big dog health issues to look out for, especially with older dogs. About 50% of dogs over age 10 will develop some type of cancer. 

Some of the most common types of cancer that older dogs get include:

• Lymphoma (lymph node cancer)
• Skin cancer (melanomas and mast cell tumors)
• Cancer of blood vessels (hemangiosarcoma)
• Bone cancer (osteosarcoma)
• Mouth and nose cancers

Cause

There isn’t much evidence on what causes cancer in dogs. The scientific answer is that it’s caused by rampant, fast cell growth that spreads to other areas of the body. A dog’s age, genetics, DNA mutations, and exposure to chemicals or toxins also factor in. 

Signs

It’s true that some tumors may appear just under the skin, but many may not be visible. Your dog can exhibit many different symptoms including losing weight, coughing, lethargy, vomiting, or behavioral changes. 

Diagnosis 

The only way to know for sure if your dog has cancer is to take them to the vet for testing. If you feel a lump, the vet will take a sample of cells using a needle, or they may need to do a biopsy. Cancer can also be diagnosed through an x-ray or ultrasound.

Treatments

Cancer can’t be cured–but it is treatable. A dog’s cancer treatment plan depends on the type of cancer, the stage, where it is, and your pup’s health history. Treatment may involve surgery to remove a tumor, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of these methods. 

Dental Disease

You probably wouldn’t expect this on a list of top 10 most common dog diseases, but it’s actually one of the most common dog health problems. Almost 90% of dogs over age 3 have periodontal disease. You may not even see any signs until it’s in an advanced stage. That’s why regular checkups and dental cleanings are so important. 

Cause

The cause of dental disease in pets is the same for humans. Teeth plaque turns into tartar, and when it gets down in the gumline, it can cause infection and disease. Small dogs are particularly at risk for dental disease. 

Signs

Some of the major signs include:

• Swelling or bleeding around the gums
• Bad breath 
• Tartar around the teeth
• Low appetite, or dropping food while eating

Diagnosis

Your vet will check your dog’s teeth at their regular checkups. Most of the time, they can diagnose dental disease just by looking at your pup’s teeth. In some cases, the vet may need to take x-rays of your pet’s jawbone and the roots of their teeth.

Treatments

In many cases, taking your pet for a dental cleaning can resolve the problem. If your pet has advanced dental disease, the affected teeth may need to be pulled. Prevent dental disease by brushing your dog’s teeth at home regularly.

When left untreated, bacteria can enter the bloodstream and affect other parts of the body. Untreated periodontal disease has been linked to other dog health problems like heart disease and jaw fractures.

Arthritis

Another issue on the top 10 most common dog diseases is osteoarthitis. Arthritis occurs when your dog’s joints start deteriorating because the squishy cartilage between their joints is wearing down. Muscles give out and the joints become inflamed. 

You may think of arthritis as a disease that only happens in older dogs, but it can show in younger dogs, too. Up to 35% of dogs develop arthritis, and 80% of dogs over 8 years old.

Cause

Arthritis can develop when a joint is damaged from injury, obesity, or abnormal structure. Some breeds are more prone to arthritis than others, like large breeds and small breeds with unique body structures such as Pugs and Dachshunds. 

Signs

Here are the main signs of dog arthritis: 

• Having a harder time getting up or lying down. 
• Walking stiffly
• Unwilling to go upstairs
• Not wanting to jump up or down (getting “stuck” on the couch when they didn’t used to)
• Suddenly sensitivity when touching certain areas
• Wanting to take shorter or slower-paced walks than before
• Unexplained aggression (from pain or discomfort)

Diagnosis

If you notice any of these signs, make an appointment with the vet to confirm your suspicions. Something other than arthritis may be causing these symptoms. 

The vet will most likely take some X-rays to check your dog’s bones and joints. They may also suggest an MRI or CT scan while your pup is under anesthesia to further investigate. 

Treatments

There’s no cure for arthritis, but a dog that develops this disease can still live a long, happy life. You’ll just need to work with your vet to create a treatment plan that works for your pup.

The treatment your vet recommends depends on the cause and what’s best for your dog. If your pup is overweight, treatment might involve a diet change to get them to improve their body condition score.

To help with pain and inflammation, the vet might prescribe a dog-specific non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and/or Gabapentin. You can also ask your vet about supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega-3 to support joint health.

Physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, or laser treatment can help arthritic dogs. Surgery may be suggested in advanced cases. 

Skin Allergies

Lots of pups get itchy skin, redness, swelling, or even hives from skin allergies. These dog health issues happen when their immune system overreacts to triggers such as fleas, pollen, bee stings, or food. If a dog has flea allergy dermatitis, for example, a single flea bite could send them into a chewing and licking spiral that causes sores and hair loss. 

Cause

A dog’s skin allergies can be caused by things in their environment and diet:

• Grass, weeds, and pollen
• Mold, mildew, and dust mites around the house
• Flea or insect bites
• Certain foods (proteins like beef, chicken, eggs, and dairy)

Signs

Dogs may have skin allergies if you see them chewing, biting, or licking themselves nonstop. Other signs include hair loss, redness, hives, facial swelling, rubbing their face, or scooting.

Take the time of year into consideration. Dogs can have seasonal allergies just like humans, so their symptoms may be temporary. 

Diagnosis 

Symptoms will factor into the type of testing the vet chooses. Most of the time, vets can diagnose allergies just by inspecting your pet’s skin. 

If necessary, vets may also conduct a skin or blood test. Skin tests involve injecting common allergens into the skin and checking for reactions.

Treatments

Although there is no cure for skin allergies, symptoms can easily be managed. The first step is figuring out what’s causing it and trying to keep that allergen away from your dog. Your vet may also suggest oral medication, steroids, or ongoing allergy shots.

Obesity

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 60% of dogs in the United States are overweight. Obesity makes pups more susceptible to heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, joint issues, and other dog health problems.

Cause

The major cause of dog obesity is taking in more calories than they burn. Most dogs will eat as much as you give them, so it all comes back to overfeeding. Breed, amount of exercise, and health history can also influence obesity in dogs. 

You might not really measure your dog’s food or know how much they need based on their age, breed, and activity level. Giving extra treats or table scraps can also add on the pounds. 

Signs

Many pet parents don’t realize their dogs are overweight. The surefire method is to weigh your pet regularly and keep a record of their weight to discuss with your vet. You can also refer to a body condition score chart, as well as a table of healthy weight ranges by dog breed.

Diagnosis 

Your vet will look at trends in your dog’s weight over time and perform a physical exam to rate their body condition score. They may also test for other possible medical reasons behind the weight gain.

Treatments

If the vet does find an illness that’s causing your pup to put on pounds, they will treat it accordingly. Otherwise, the vet can help you come up with a feeding and exercise plan that’s tailored to your dog’s age, breed, and health history.

You can prevent pet obesity by feeding them a complete and balanced diet like Sundays for Dogs. Made with only whole food ingredients and real meat, your pup will get direct access to natural nutrients. It’s even air-dried for maximum flavor and freshness. 

Hip and Elbow Dysplasia

Dysplasia is a genetic disease that can manifest in the hip or elbow joints. These dog health issues are more common in large breeds, but can also happen in small breeds. In hip dysplasia, the bone doesn’t fit properly into the hip joint. With elbow dysplasia, there is abnormal bone growth. 

Cause 

One major cause of these dog health issues is improper breeding practices. Some other factors include large dogs not getting the right nutrition early on to slow down their growth, getting too much or not enough exercise, and being overweight, which puts stress on the joints.

Signs

Dogs can develop hip or elbow dysplasia when they are very young at just a few months old, but older dogs can show signs as well. The signs are similar to arthritis and dogs with hip or elbow dysplasia usually develop arthritis as a result. Look for limping, not wanting to jump or climb, lameness, stiffness, and slower movement.

Diagnosis 

The vet will need to do a physical exam to test your dog’s range of motion. They will ask you questions about signs you’ve noticed and then they may take x-rays to confirm hip or elbow dysplasia. 

Treatment

The treatment may or may not involve surgery, depending on how severe the dysplasia is. Your dog may not need surgery. Instead, try physical therapy, joint supplements, exercise restriction, medications like NSAIDs for inflammation, prescription food, and/or weight loss.