A dog is a man’s best friend, and sadly, all dogs die eventually. If you have a dog, you may be wondering what the typical cause of death is for dogs. Keep reading to find out.
Here are the 9 most common ways dogs die listed from least common to most common.
9. Kidney Disease
Kidney Disease is one of the most common causes of death in dogs. It has been found that about 60% of dogs die from kidney disease. With kidney failure in dogs, it can be very dangerous and possibly fatal. Most dogs who have kidney disease will not survive more than a week. This is because owners don’t typically know or notice the symptoms of kidney disease, so it goes unnoticed. The dogs, unfortunately, will then die.
You should be aware of the symptoms of kidney disease so that you can watch for them and help your pup if you see the signs. Below are the signs of kidney disease.
- Change in appetite
- Change in urination
- Change in mood
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Blood in urine
- Dental disease signs like bad breath, mouth ulcers, etc.
If you see any of these signs in your dog, you should take your dog to the vet as soon as you can. The vet knows how to help your dog and has the right tools and medication to help as much as they can.
If you have a dog, you should be aware of the dog breeds that typically get kidney disease and the age at which dogs usually get the disease. Dog breeds such as German shepherds and bull terriers are more likely to develop kidney disease. Bigger dogs are more likely to get kidney disease at a younger age, while smaller dogs are more likely to get it later in their lives.
Kidney disease can be fatal for your dog, but if you know the signs, you can possibly prevent it from killing them.
8. Diabetes
Diabetes is an unfortunate illness that not only humans suffer from. Our dogs can sadly get diabetes too. If a dog has diabetes, the dog could possibly develop life-threatening side effects and even die. Therefore, diabetes is one of the 9 most common causes of death for dogs. If you are not aware of the symptoms of diabetes in dogs, you must know what they are so you can watch out for them and act accordingly.
The symptoms of diabetes in dogs are:
- Change in appetite or drinking
- Change in urination
- Cloudy eyes
- Weight loss
- Infections
These are just a few of the symptoms of diabetes in dogs. Keep a watchful eye on your dog and take your pet to the vet right away if you notice any of these symptoms. They can teach you how to care for your dog and help them the best that they can.
There are a lot of dog breeds that are prone to getting diabetes. Here are some of them:
- Golden Retrievers
- Pomeranians
- German Shepards
- Cocker Spaniels
- Terriers
- Dachshunds
Any dog can develop diabetes, but these are a few of the breeds that are more likely to. Dogs with diabetes will normally live about a year with diabetes unless treated correctly. Be watchful and careful!
7. Obesity
Obesity is a serious, potentially fatal problem for dogs. If a dog is obese, it could cause their airways to be thinner, their exercise to be drastically decreased, and could cause other side effects that could contribute to the death of your dog.
There are a lot of issues that come with obesity, but you should know that obesity can be prevented. As long as you feed your dog the right amount and get your pup some exercise daily, then obesity can 100% be prevented. Here are some of the things you should look out for when your dog is obese.
- Sluggish
- Overweight
- Increase in appetite
- Change in mood
- Decrease in physical activity
These are the most common symptoms of obesity in dogs. Know the symptoms and just give good care to your dog. You are the one who makes sure your dog gets fed the right amount and that your dog gets enough exercise. Be proactive and make it a top priority. If obesity can be fatal, so you need to do everything you can to keep your dog healthy.
6. Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is a disease caused by a dog getting a tick bite. A tick with bacteria would then cause the dog to get Lyme disease. Lyme disease is a horrible cause of death for dogs, but it is very common. Dogs will often play outside or go on walks and get a tick bite without anyone ever knowing.
Although Lyme disease is a possibly fatal disease, you can help prevent the death of your dog by watching for the symptoms. The symptoms are listed below.
- Change in mood
- Change in appetite
- Swollen joints and lymph nodes
- Fatigue
These symptoms may not be very obvious, but if you pay close attention to your dog, you may be able to save their life. Dogs who are left untreated with Lyme disease can develop kidney disease and other side effects that lead to their death. If you notice your dog acting differently or notice any of these symptoms, take your dog to the vet immediately!
5. Heart Disease
Heart disease is a horrible illness that humans and dogs can die from. This disease is one of the most fatal and common causes of death for dogs. This disease kills hundreds of dogs a year, and this disease often kills dogs instantly.
This means that sometimes you will notice the symptoms and can possibly get help, but other times, dogs die suddenly and unexpectedly from heart disease. It is important to still know the symptoms of the disease, just in case. Keep reading to find out about those symptoms.
- Trouble breathing
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Change in appetite
- Change in mood
Keep a close eye on your pup and be attentive to any changes in their health. Take your dog to the vet if you notice any strange things going on. It is better to be safe than sorry. The vet will be able to determine what exactly is wrong with your dog.
4. Gastrointestinal Disease
According to the VCA, gastroenteritis is an “inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, meaning the stomach and the intestines. It can be caused by infection with bacteria, viruses, parasites, medications, or even new foods.” Gastroenteritis is a horrible disease that can cause a dog’s death.
It is very common and often goes untreated for too long, causing death. Here are some of the symptoms to watch out for so you can prevent your dog’s death from gastroenteritis.
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal Pain
These signs may seem small and not obvious, which makes it even more important to watch out for the symptoms. If you suspect your dog has gastroenteritis, take your pet to the vet as soon as you possibly can. The quicker gastroenteritis is treated, the better. We don’t want our dogs dying, and being watchful could help save your pup’s life.
3. Trauma
Dogs can die from trauma. There are multiple different kinds of trauma that dogs can die from. You must be very careful to make sure your dog stays away from things that may cause them trauma. Read below to hear about the different kinds of trauma that dogs can experience that will cause fatalities.
- Getting hit by a car
- Getting hit by a human
- Dog fights
- Falls
These are just a few of the most common trauma accidents that can cause fatalities. There are even symptoms you can watch out for that are caused by trauma. Here are some of those symptoms. If you see any of these symptoms, make sure to take your pet to the vet and see if there is anything they can do to help.
- Change in mood
- Change in appetite
- Sluggish
- Change in exercise and movement
- Fear
- Startled easily
Are you curious as to how quickly dogs will die from trauma? Well, it depends on the trauma the dog experienced.
If the dog was hit by a car, the dog may die instantly or very quickly after being hit. Cars are way bigger than dogs and cause serious injuries. Dogs who were struck with something may die if the hit was stronger than what they could handle. You should never hit dogs, but if they were, they may experience a brain or other organ injury and die.
If the dog fell, the fall would need to be a pretty high fall for the dog to die, but it is possible. If a dog falls from a great height, the dog may die instantly. Dogs who have gotten into fights may die instantly because of the trauma to their bodies. Be very careful with your dogs and make sure they are safe to the best of your ability. Trauma may not seem serious to dogs, but it is.
2. Cancer
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death for dogs in the world. As dogs get cancer, it is similar to humans with cancer. Cancer takes a hold of the dog’s body and takes over, leading the dog to experience many fatal symptoms and possibly death.
According to Paws and Claws Vet, it is said that “Cancer is the leading cause of death in pet cats and dogs in the United States. As many as 50% of pets die of cancer. An estimated 6,000,000 dogs…” That is a massive number of dogs who will be diagnosed with and die from cancer, which is absolutely horrible!
You need to be very watchful of cancer symptoms in your dogs. They should also be taken to the vet for regular checkups so they can look for signs of cancer. Here are some of the serious side effects of cancer in dogs.
- Lumps under your pet’s skin
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Difficulty breathing
- Coughing
- Weird odors coming from your dog’s body, mouth, etc.
- Change in mood
There are a lot of cancer symptoms in dogs, but these are the most common. Again, pay attention to your dog’s health and take them to the vet if you notice anything weird going on. Cancer is very serious and can be fatal if left untreated.
1. Old Age
Old age is probably the most common reason dogs will die. It is not fun, but old age may be the most pleasant way for a dog to pass on. It means they have lived a long, and fulfilled life and are not likely in a lot of pain.
There is not much you can do if you suspect your dog is dying from old age, but you should still be aware of the symptoms so you are aware of what is going on and can make your dog comfortable in his last days.
Here are the symptoms of a dog dying from old age:
- Aggression
- Hiding
- Change in mobility
- Change in mood
- Trembling
- Panting
If you suspect your dog is dying from old age, there sadly is not much you can do about it. You can take your dog to the vet if you would like, but they may simply tell you to make your dog comfortable.
You know your dog best, so just be aware of the symptoms and be ready to make your dog happy and comfortable in their last days.
Why Does This Matter?
You may be wondering why this all matters. Well, we all love our dogs, and if we can prevent their death in any way, then we have to try. The more you know about your dogs and of possible causes of death, the longer they can possibly live.
Our dogs can be our best friends, and we are in charge of being their caretakers and owners, which means you have taken on the responsibility of trying to keep them healthy and happy.
All of this information is vital for the happiness of your pet. So, read it carefully and do what you need to do!
