A day in the life of pet parenting: snuggles, walks, a steady stream of one-sided dialogue, and lots of wondering about what’s actually going on between those perky ears. How come you’re yawning all the time? What’s going on with that change in appetite? Is that tail wag a play-with-me plea—or is something else up?
It can be nerve-racking when your pet isn’t acting like themselves—but there are tips and tools you can call on to help you understand your pet better. We teamed up with Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Hill’s veterinarian Rebecca Tremble, DVM, and four proud pet parents to spotlight some four-legged red-flag signs and what they might be telling you. The goal? Figuring out how to decode your pet’s behavior to figure out whether they need extra support, including speaking to your vet about your concerns.
Ready to connect with your fur baby on a deeper level? Keep scrolling for expert insight, and bookmark the Hill's Hidden Condition Checker to help you identify common hidden signs of health conditions, so you can be prepared to talk to your veterinarian.
Vet Vernacular
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What’s Your Pet Really Thinking?
Click the cards to reveal insights from Dr. Tremble.
Meet Ariel Urias, Otis, and Pounce
Sustainable-living advocate and photographer Ariel Urias’s favorite type of mood boost? Playtime and cuddles with her dog, Otis, and her cat, Pounce. Otis can be particular, especially when it comes to changes in his routine, and Pounce has struggled with weight—but Urias has learned how to recognize subtle signs in her pet that could indicate they’re not feeling right with the help of Hill's Hidden Condition Checker, so she can have informed conversations with her vet.
Ever Wonder Why Your Pet Does Certain Things?
Click for more insights from Dr. Tremble.
“Diet is the major factor in a pet's health that we can control. With so many uncontrollable health factors like genetics, nutrition’s importance should not be overlooked.”
Say Hi to Sam Brockway, Baker, and Huckleberry
Sam Brockway and his beloved dog and cat, Baker and Huckleberry, are an adventurous trio. Brockway doesn’t want Baker or Huckleberry feeling off to get in the way of all their outdoor exploring, so he utilizes Hill's Hidden Condition Checker and talks to his vet when he recognizes signs of discomfort.
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Despite all of the naps my dog takes, he’s been yawning nonstop!
My friends say my cat has lost weight. She looks the same to me.
Whenever I host a dinner party, my pet rubs her mouth all over my guests’ pant legs. It drives me (and probably them?) nuts!
How can I use body-language and behavior to identify early signs of health problems for my pet?
What’s the Buzz Behind Those Perky Ears?
Click for Dr. Tremble’s insights.
“The Hill's Hidden Condition Checker is a great tool to guide you on questions to ask your veterinarian,” Dr. Tremble says. If you’re noticing new or concerning signs in your furry friend, you can use this resource to learn more about common behaviors that may indicate a health condition. And don’t forget to connect with your vet to discuss what you’re observing.
Introducing: Maggie Matthews, Hank, and Brandy
Hill's Pet Nutrition Prescription Diet is clinically tested, therapeutic nutrition, developed by a team of PhD nutritionists and veterinarians and recommended by vets when pets are facing specific health concerns. If you have specific health concerns for your pet, talk to your vet to see if therapeutic nutrition is right for your pet.
After Maggie Matthews and her husband adopted their beloved Saint Bernard, Hank, they welcomed a new baby with a rare disease that caused him to have Cerebral Palsy, as well as a seizure disorder. Being the parent of a medically complex child gives Matthews a unique perspective on how she assesses signs that something may be wrong with her pets (the family has since welcomed both another child and another Saint Bernard, Brandy). Now, she uses the Hill's Hidden Condition Checker as a resource to help guide her conversations with her vet and keep her four-legged family members healthy.
My dog is limping. Is he in pain—or just trying to skip out on his morning walk?
I’ve always wondered what different tail or body positions imply for my cat and dog’s emotional state.
What’s Brewing in Your Buddy's Brain?
Click for expert insight from Dr. Tremble.
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Get to Know Alison Carroll and Lefty
Alison Carroll and her partner Jay adopted Lefty early in their relationship, and he’s been their loyal, adventurous companion for nearly 11 years—even traveling to over 40 states. After moving to Joshua Tree, they noticed subtle signs from Lefty that something was up, but it took a lot of research, digging, and working with their vet to land on the right routine to help him feel his best. In the future, she knows she can use the Hill's Pet Nutrition Hidden Condition Checker to identify signs sooner so she can discuss them while talking with her vet.
I love my cat endlessly, but she’s regressed to peeing inside my home. What gives?
Sometimes, I swear my dog is singing (about as well as I do in the shower—but still).
You can’t read your pet’s mind—but don’t you wish you could?
“Keeping a journal of your pet’s verbal and non-verbal cues along with the context of their environment may help in reviewing common themes with their communication habits.”
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— Dr. Tremble
— Dr. Tremble
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