It can be pretty nerve-wracking to think that your dog might be sick, especially when you don’t know what to do. Luckily, there are some rules of thumb you can use to get your pup the help it needs. Here are just a few of the best ones.

When It Doubt, Call. If you aren’t sure whether or not your dog is sick, it’s best to call your veterinary care center. The veterinarian technicians at the pet wellness center will listen to the symptoms, and can offer some advice. You may not have to worry, or keep an eye on them, or bring them. Either way, it’s always nice to know. After all, you don’t want to bring them in to the veterinary care center and get a big bill for nothing, but you also don’t want to pretend like there’s not something wrong, either.

Ward Off Fleas With Citrus. If your dog is restless, scratching often, licking or chewing parts of its body more than normal, then there’s a chance it may have fleas. To ward these blood sucking parasites away, try using a simple solution of lemon water. Fleas hate citrus, so give your dog a spritz if it’s getting itchy, and hopefully the fleas will abandon ship.

Sports Drinks Can Help a Sick Stomach. If your little guy is having a tough bout of diarrhea or vomiting, sports drinks or pediatrics drinks can help rehydrate them, replacing the much needed fluids in their bodies. Before you give your champ a bottle of Gatorade, be sure to ask your veterinary care center how much they can have.

If your dog is sick, relax. Just call your veterinary care center to find out whether they need to come in. If they have fleas, use lemon water. If they have a sick stomach, give them some sports drink. It’s that easy.

If you have any pet health questions about these rules of thumb, feel free to ask in the comments.