Do pups know when you are sick? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

LittleLolasMom · 10-05-2011, 07:16 AM

I had this discussion with my fiance, who does not believe a dog can tell if you are sick or hurt. I disagree. I have a viral infection right now that has me with a sore throat, cough, etc. I feel like hell and took the day off yesterday. Lola was with me, she layed with me and was so sweet and calm all day. I think she knew, but just wondering if others have a take on this?

Lovetodream88 · 10-05-2011, 07:27 AM

I think they can. I have been the sickest I think I have ever been and Callie is my shadow even more then normal. She normally sleeps in a soft sided dog house in my room at night but sense I have been sick she wants to lay at the foot of my bed and wont sleep in her bed. If I go to bed to rest and my grandma is watching Callie she will go back to my door and stick her nose in the crack and sometimes wont leave until my grandma lets her in for a second and she comes over to check on me and leaves. My grandma has copd and its pretty bad so when she is having a hard time or a bad day Callie stays pretty close to her on those days.

gracielove · 10-05-2011, 07:45 AM

I know Gracie can tell when ever something is different. We have had some illness and death in the family and tears have been shed. When ever I cry Gracie will stop what she is doing and come over and try to lick the tears off my face and fuss over me. When I am sick she is also right by my side and won't go and play. I can't say that all dogs are that sensitive but I'm sure many are.

gidget529 · 10-05-2011, 07:58 AM

I think they can tell. My Cricket used to lay w me when I was sick, sit next to me in the bathroom if I was spilling cookies, etc. Gidget likes to kiss booboos. Anywhere I have a cut and she sees it, she will use her paw to pull it to her and sit and wash my cut.

southernbelle04 · 10-05-2011, 08:00 AM

Awww! What sweet stories! Such precious little angels!

chachi · 10-05-2011, 08:01 AM

Not only are my yorkies more clingy when Im sad or sick my cats are also so I think they can all tell

yorkietalkjilly · 10-05-2011, 08:15 AM

If Tibbe starts to get clingy and become my shadow, I check my temperature! He knows before I do when I'm not well and starts to become solicitous and stay right with me.

KazzyK810 · 10-05-2011, 08:26 AM

ZoE can tell when someone is sick. My daughter came home from college this past spring sick with the H1N1 flu. ZoE is usually soo excited to see her & goes nuts, but this time she was so calm and just layed on the couch or bed next to her. She would not leave her side! I thought my daughter just needed to sleep and not worry about where the dog was as she was rolling over, so I tried to entice ZoE away by filling her Kong with peanut butter and sitting it on the floor in the hallway outside the bedrooms. ZoE just looked at it and whimpered, but she wouldn't get off the bed!

TeresaM · 10-05-2011, 08:50 AM

I think, like people, they all have various degrees of awareness. Boo absolutely knows when we are sick or upset. He'll stick to you like velcro until you are better. My DH and his son were both sick at the same time. Boo wore himself out going from one bedroom to the other until they were well.

I had a Rat Terrier, Sadie Mae Ann Louise (she was Texan-so had to have more then 1 name, of course) If I was sick she would bring her favorite blanket and just come lay next to me. It didn't matter what else was going on, she never left my side. If I was sad, she'd very gently bring me every toy in her toy box, hoping to cheer me up. It wasn't the usual, "Here's a toy Mom, let's play...NOW!" attitude, but a soft gentle, "Oh look, here's my favorite squeaky toy. You can play with it. Oh here's my favorite puppy, he'll cheer you up, Mom."

miabellaamoure · 10-05-2011, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chachi

Not only are my yorkies more clingy when Im sad or sick my cats are also so I think they can all tell

I definitely think cats have very keen senses...even with death!

Oscar The 'Amazing Cat' - CBS News Video

My girls are very aware...they've been my comfort through sadness and illness as well as the happy times.

I would say there is a definite difference in their demeanor when I'm not feeling well vs. when it's a happy time.

LittleLolasMom · 10-05-2011, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gracielove

I know Gracie can tell when ever something is different. We have had some illness and death in the family and tears have been shed. When ever I cry Gracie will stop what she is doing and come over and try to lick the tears off my face and fuss over me. When I am sick she is also right by my side and won't go and play. I can't say that all dogs are that sensitive but I'm sure many are.

what a sweet baby!

taxlady · 10-05-2011, 10:02 AM

That's a big YES, they can tell, just ask some one who has a service dog or a therapy dog for instance, they "know" the need. They are extra loving and gentle, and oh I forgot you get extra kisses too

.

TxVicki · 10-05-2011, 10:13 AM

I am postive that they do know when we are sick. I remember 6 1/2 yrs ago before I was Dx's with Breast Cancer, my late Molly was acting really weird about being around me. Always had to be by my side and wouldn't leave me alone. She always wanted to sleep on my chest. After I was dx'd and was going thru Chemo they all stayed so very close to me. If got sick from the Chemo I had a party of my babies sitting outside the bathroom door waiting for me. Then they all got back in bed with me. They were such a great comfort to me. They were however scared of me the first time they saw me with no hair. LOL Heck even that scared me. LOL

AprilLove · 10-05-2011, 10:21 AM

Absolutely they do! And many times they know it before we do, they show signs but we don't always recognize this. Their abilitlies are amazing

gardengirl77 · 10-05-2011, 10:28 AM

I'm sure they do. Even if I'm feeling down or something, Heidi will get right up in my face and just stare at me with such concern in her face, and give me one little lick. Its sweet. Or if I'm sick she'll lay beside me forever, and occasionally come up and look at my face like she's worried.

10-05-2011, 07:16 AM	#1
LittleLolasMom YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 275	Do pups know when you are sick? I had this discussion with my fiance, who does not believe a dog can tell if you are sick or hurt. I disagree. I have a viral infection right now that has me with a sore throat, cough, etc. I feel like hell and took the day off yesterday. Lola was with me, she layed with me and was so sweet and calm all day. I think she knew, but just wondering if others have a take on this?

10-05-2011, 07:27 AM	#2
Lovetodream88 Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md Posts: 23,247	I think they can. I have been the sickest I think I have ever been and Callie is my shadow even more then normal. She normally sleeps in a soft sided dog house in my room at night but sense I have been sick she wants to lay at the foot of my bed and wont sleep in her bed. If I go to bed to rest and my grandma is watching Callie she will go back to my door and stick her nose in the crack and sometimes wont leave until my grandma lets her in for a second and she comes over to check on me and leaves. My grandma has copd and its pretty bad so when she is having a hard time or a bad day Callie stays pretty close to her on those days. __________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart!

10-05-2011, 07:58 AM	#4
gidget529 Gidget & Sidney's Mom Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: PA Posts: 3,462	I think they can tell. My Cricket used to lay w me when I was sick, sit next to me in the bathroom if I was spilling cookies, etc. Gidget likes to kiss booboos. Anywhere I have a cut and she sees it, she will use her paw to pull it to her and sit and wash my cut. __________________ Mommy to Gidget, Sidney & Cricket(RIP)

10-05-2011, 08:00 AM	#5
southernbelle04 Katie Scarlett's Mommy Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Sweet Home Alabama Posts: 7,554 Blog Entries: 1	Awww! What sweet stories! Such precious little angels! __________________ Aymee & Katie Scarlett

10-05-2011, 08:01 AM	#6
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	Not only are my yorkies more clingy when Im sad or sick my cats are also so I think they can all tell __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

10-05-2011, 07:45 AM	#3
gracielove YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NY Posts: 6,582	I know Gracie can tell when ever something is different. We have had some illness and death in the family and tears have been shed. When ever I cry Gracie will stop what she is doing and come over and try to lick the tears off my face and fuss over me. When I am sick she is also right by my side and won't go and play. I can't say that all dogs are that sensitive but I'm sure many are.

10-05-2011, 08:15 AM	#7
yorkietalkjilly ♥ Love My Tibbe! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: D/FW, Texas Posts: 22,140	If Tibbe starts to get clingy and become my shadow, I check my temperature! He knows before I do when I'm not well and starts to become solicitous and stay right with me. __________________ Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis

10-05-2011, 08:26 AM	#8
KazzyK810 Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Michigan USA & Sheffield UK Posts: 4,119	ZoE can tell when someone is sick. My daughter came home from college this past spring sick with the H1N1 flu. ZoE is usually soo excited to see her & goes nuts, but this time she was so calm and just layed on the couch or bed next to her. She would not leave her side! I thought my daughter just needed to sleep and not worry about where the dog was as she was rolling over, so I tried to entice ZoE away by filling her Kong with peanut butter and sitting it on the floor in the hallway outside the bedrooms. ZoE just looked at it and whimpered, but she wouldn't get off the bed! __________________ Karan & ZoE (Chelsea )

10-05-2011, 08:50 AM	#9
TeresaM Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: TX Posts: 3,358	I think, like people, they all have various degrees of awareness. Boo absolutely knows when we are sick or upset. He'll stick to you like velcro until you are better. My DH and his son were both sick at the same time. Boo wore himself out going from one bedroom to the other until they were well. I had a Rat Terrier, Sadie Mae Ann Louise (she was Texan-so had to have more then 1 name, of course) If I was sick she would bring her favorite blanket and just come lay next to me. It didn't matter what else was going on, she never left my side. If I was sad, she'd very gently bring me every toy in her toy box, hoping to cheer me up. It wasn't the usual, "Here's a toy Mom, let's play...NOW!" attitude, but a soft gentle, "Oh look, here's my favorite squeaky toy. You can play with it. Oh here's my favorite puppy, he'll cheer you up, Mom." __________________ If you think dogs can't count, put 3 biscuits in your pocket, then give him only 2. Gracie Ruth & Boo & Yogi & RIP Annie B. & Bonnie Lane

10-05-2011, 10:02 AM	#12
taxlady Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern,CA, Posts: 247	That's a big YES, they can tell, just ask some one who has a service dog or a therapy dog for instance, they "know" the need. They are extra loving and gentle, and oh I forgot you get extra kisses too . __________________ Sprockets Guardian and personal slave.

10-05-2011, 10:13 AM	#13
TxVicki Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: At Home Posts: 8,386	I am postive that they do know when we are sick. I remember 6 1/2 yrs ago before I was Dx's with Breast Cancer, my late Molly was acting really weird about being around me. Always had to be by my side and wouldn't leave me alone. She always wanted to sleep on my chest. After I was dx'd and was going thru Chemo they all stayed so very close to me. If got sick from the Chemo I had a party of my babies sitting outside the bathroom door waiting for me. Then they all got back in bed with me. They were such a great comfort to me. They were however scared of me the first time they saw me with no hair. LOL Heck even that scared me. LOL __________________ [SIZE="3"VICKI & ALLIE[/SIZE]

10-05-2011, 10:21 AM	#14
AprilLove My Three Hearts Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Wrapped around their paws :-) Posts: 7,190	Absolutely they do! And many times they know it before we do, they show signs but we don't always recognize this. Their abilitlies are amazing __________________ MaryKay AprilLove Wubs Moosie R.I.P. Bailey & BitsyRoo

10-05-2011, 10:28 AM	#15
gardengirl77 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 822	I'm sure they do. Even if I'm feeling down or something, Heidi will get right up in my face and just stare at me with such concern in her face, and give me one little lick. Its sweet. Or if I'm sick she'll lay beside me forever, and occasionally come up and look at my face like she's worried. __________________ Karen Love my Heidi.