How to Tell a Healthy Puppy From a Sick One at a Pakistani Pet Store or Breeder

I made this mistake once and I am embarrassed to admit it. I bought a puppy from a pet shop near Saddar in Rawalpindi — small place, smelled clean enough, the uncle running it seemed knowledgeable. The puppy I picked was sitting quietly in the corner of the cage, looked calm, eyes half-closed. I thought it was just sleepy. Paid Rs. 45,000 and took it home.

By the next morning it had not touched its food. By evening it was vomiting. Two days later the vet told me it had parvovirus and had probably been sick before I even bought it. The quiet, calm puppy I mistook for well-behaved was actually already unwell.

That lesson cost me a lot emotionally and a lot more financially. So yaar, let me tell you exactly what I know now that I did not know then.

Pehli Baat — A Healthy Puppy Does Not Sit Still

This sounds obvious but it trips up so many buyers. A healthy puppy at 6 to 8 weeks is curious, a little chaotic, and interested in everything around it. It explores. It reacts to sounds. It wants to sniff your hand when you reach toward it.

A puppy that sits quietly in one spot, keeps its head low, or barely reacts when you approach it is not being calm or well-behaved. It is tired in a way that is not normal for a puppy. This is one of the earliest signs that something is off — and I am not a vet, this is just what I learned the hard way — but get a proper opinion before you proceed if you see this.

Aankhein, Naak, Kaann — Check All Three

The eyes should be bright and clear. Some morning crust in the corners is normal. Constant watery discharge, redness, cloudiness, or eyes that look sunken are not normal. In Pakistani pet shops where puppies are kept close together in cages, eye infections spread quickly from one animal to another.

The nose should have a little clean moisture. Not dripping, not producing thick or coloured mucus. If you see any green or yellow discharge from the nose, that usually means a respiratory infection — don't try to handle this yourself, it needs a vet.

Check the ears quickly by looking inside. A small amount of light wax is normal. Dark brown or black buildup, a strong smell, or a puppy that keeps scratching or shaking its head means an ear infection or mites. Not necessarily a dealbreaker if treated, but a signal of how well the animal has been cared for.

Coat Aur Jism — Haath Lagao, Sirf Dekhne Se Kuch Nahi Pata

Run your hand firmly along the puppy's back and sides. The coat should feel clean and consistent. Part the fur in several spots — around the neck, behind the ears, near the base of the tail. You are looking for fleas, which you will see moving, or flea dirt, which looks like tiny black specks. You are also checking for any circular patches where the fur looks thin or the skin looks rough and scaly.

Those circular patches are worth paying attention to. Ringworm is a fungal infection extremely common in Pakistani pet shops and catteries where animals are kept in close quarters. It spreads to humans easily — especially children — so if you see anything suspicious on the skin, see a vet before buying, and if anyone in your home develops a circular itchy rash afterward, see a doctor as well. I am not trying to alarm anyone, but this is a real risk and Pakistani buyers rarely get warned about it.

Feel the puppy's body. Healthy weight means you can feel the ribs when you press gently but you cannot see them clearly from a distance. A puppy where the ribs, spine, and hip bones are all sharply visible is underweight. It has either not been fed properly or has a heavy worm burden — usually both.

Woh Ek Cheez Jo Sellers Karte Hain Before You Arrive

This one I learned from a vet friend in Lahore and it changed how I look at pet shop puppies entirely.

Some unscrupulous sellers in Pakistan — not all, but some — give sick puppies a dose of something to perk them up temporarily before a buyer visits. The puppy looks alert and normal for a few hours. You buy it. By the time you get home the effect has worn off and you are now dealing with a sick animal.

The way to protect yourself is to visit twice if possible. Come unannounced the second time, or at a different time of day than your first visit. A genuinely healthy puppy will be consistently alert and active, not just on good behaviour for one viewing. I am no doctor and I cannot tell you what sellers use — but the pattern is real and Pakistani vets we spoke to have confirmed they see it regularly. Always take the puppy for an independent vet check before final payment.

Pet Store Ya Breeder — Kahan Se Zyada Khatrah Hai

Both carry risk, just different kinds.

A pet store in Lahore's MM Alam Road area or Karachi's Zamzama might look clean and professional. But puppies from multiple unknown sources are kept together, which means a sick puppy from one batch can expose every other puppy in the shop. The staff are usually salespeople, not animal health workers.

A private breeder is better in theory but entirely depends on the individual. A breeder who lets you see the mother with the puppies, shows you where they sleep, and can name the vet who has been caring for them is a different situation entirely from someone who meets you at a petrol station with a puppy in a cardboard box.

Wherever you are buying, the checks are the same. And always, always take the puppy to your own vet within 24 to 48 hours of bringing it home. If you need a verified vet quickly — especially in cities like Islamabad or Faisalabad where finding a reliable clinic on short notice is genuinely difficult — frenchiefomo.com has verified vets available for same-day consultations. Getting a health check done early is the single best thing you can do after any puppy purchase.

Disclaimer: This blog is based on personal experience and general awareness only. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If you have concerns about your puppy's health, please consult a qualified veterinary doctor. You can find verified vets near you at frenchiefomo.com.