Does your dog feel unusually tired and weak? A lethargic dog would not be interested in daily activities, such as eating, going for a walk or playing.
If these signs persist, then it is time to see a vet to diagnose what’s wrong with your furry friend. First, check if your pet is really exhibiting signs of unusual lethargy.
If your dog is young, then remember that puppies need a lot of rest. Normally, they require around 15 to 20 hours of sleep every day while adult dogs need 12 to 14 hours of snooze time. However, if he continues to feel dull and lazy, there may be an underlying issue.
Some dog breeds surely sleep a lot, but would wake up as soon as they sniff their favorite food. A dog that is unable to respond to stimulus is definitely a cause for concern.
Moreover, a lethargic dog tends to lose his appetite and be uninterested in interacting with you. He may also avoid socializing with other dogs he may share his space with. Besides being tired, you may notice other troublesome symptoms such as breathlessness, shaking, diarrhea and restlessness.
Here are some of the reasons why your pet may be feeling out of sorts:
There may be several reasons why your dog’s energy level has plunged. He could be suffering from a physical or mental health issue, or simply have grown too old to be active. Here is an overview of what may be wrong with your pet.
There may be a range of health issues that your dog may suffer from. Some of the common ones include:
Your pet cannot express his pain if he is suffering from any medical condition, making his lethargic behavior one of the obvious indications. Be careful to not give him any painkillers meant for humans, such as ibuprofen, as they would prove to be toxic for his body by causing issues such as blood abnormalities and even death.
Your dog may suffer from dehydration if he is not drinking enough water, especially during summer. Pinch his skin and check: if it doesn’t spring back at once, it is time to consult the vet.
Around 80% of a dog’s body consists of water, which facilitates several body functions such as digestion, blood circulation, lubricating joints, aiding digestion and removing bodily wastes. Dehydration occurs when a dog’s body loses more fluid than it absorbs.
Overexposure to hot weather can also cause excessive vomiting or diarrhea. He may also suffer from a heatstroke where his body temperature may soar to an abnormally high level, causing weakness.
Nutritional deficiencies in dogs can be a result of an unbalanced diet. In order to ensure good health of your canine, make sure you give him food containing proteins, carbohydrates and vitamins.
Your dog’s physical appearance will also indicate if he is malnourished. If he is losing weight to the extent that his bones are visible, it may be because he is receiving poor diet. His fur coat may also turn patchy, rough irritated, flaky or red.
Dogs that do not receive a proper diet tend to become lazy and avoid physical activity such as walking, running or playing around. Moreover, gastrointestinal issues from poor nutrition include diarrhea, gas and pain while trying to defecate.
Like humans, dogs can also suffer from mental health issues such as depression. This is usually triggered by a major event such as loss of owner or companion, or an entry of another pet, baby or partner in the home.
Boredom may also cause depression, which may be the case if your dog does not get enough time to play outdoors, has an insufficient interaction with owners or lack of toys or distractions for him at home.
These issues may cause a chemical imbalance inside the brain. Veterinarians believe that depression can be hereditary in some dogs, just like it is in humans.
As a dog ages, his activity level is likely to lower due to painful conditions such as arthritis. Old age naturally leads to decreased appetite and lack of excitement.
When your pet is old, he may become overweight as he moves around les but receives the same amount of food. Age may make him vulnerable to health problems such as heart disease.
A dog’s mental agility may also decline due to old age, making them prone to cognitive dysfunction, which is similar to Alzheimer’s disease. Statistics prove that at about 50% of all dogs above the age of 10 are likely to develop at least one symptom of cognitive dysfunction.
A lethargic dog needs care and attention while keeping all other symptoms in mind.
If you have a lethargic dog, make sure you check whether he has any other concerning symptoms or not. Dogs are social and intelligent animals that require plenty of love and care. So if you see you pet napping more than usual, give them your time and attention to figure out what’s wrong.
by Bobby J Davidson || You can’t buy love, but you can rescue it™ .
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