Pet symptom decision guides
When to wait, when to worry, when to call the vet. Plain-language decision frameworks for the most common dog and cat symptoms, plus the red flags that mean go now.
Flok is not a vet. This page summarizes guidance from public veterinary references — including the AVMA, ASPCA, WSAVA, Cornell Feline Health Center, and VCA Animal Hospitals. It does not replace your vet's diagnosis. If any red flag below applies, call your vet now.
Dogs
- Dog Coughing: When to Wait, When to Worry, When to Call the Vet Kennel cough or something serious? A clear framework for sorting common coughs from red flags.
- Dog Diarrhea: When to Wait, When to Worry, When to Call the Vet Loose stools — wait it out or vet visit? A decision framework with red flags, common causes, and what to track.
- Dog Scratching Ears: When to Wait, When to Worry, When to Call the Vet Itchy ears, head shaking, smelly discharge — sort out what's mild and what's an infection that needs a vet.
- Dog Itching and Scratching: When to Wait, When to Worry, When to Call the Vet Allergies, fleas, or something serious? Sort the cause and know when itchy skin needs a vet.
- Dog Limping: When to Wait, When to Worry, When to Call the Vet Your dog is favoring a leg. Sprain or something serious? A clear framework with red flags and what to track.
- Dog Shaking or Trembling: When to Wait, When to Worry, When to Call the Vet Cold, scared, or sick? A clear framework for sorting out why your dog is shaking and when it's a vet visit.
- Dog Vomiting: When to Worry, What to Watch, When to Call the Vet Your dog threw up. Is it the carpet fibers or something serious? A decision framework with red flags and what to track.
Cats
- Cat Hiding More Than Usual: When to Wait, When to Worry, When to Call the Vet Cats hide when they're sick. Sort normal cat-being-cat from a sign of illness with this clear framework.
- Cat Not Eating: When to Wait, When to Worry, When to Call the Vet A cat skipping meals is more serious than a dog skipping meals. Here's the framework, and why you don't wait long.
- Cat Peeing Outside the Litter Box: When It's Behavior, When It's a Vet Emergency Behavioral or medical? Some patterns are emergencies (urinary blockage). Here's the framework to sort it.
- Cat Sneezing: When to Wait, When to Worry, When to Call the Vet Cat cold or something serious? Sort out occasional sneezes from upper respiratory infections that need a vet.
- Cat Vomiting: When to Wait, When to Worry, When to Call the Vet Hairball or something serious? Cat vomiting is not «just normal» — here's the framework to sort it out.
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