Is you dog acting lethargicEvery dog owner will claim that his dog or even a cat is lethargic at some point. In most cases, a pet is just resting. But, my dog’s acting lethargic issue can be a real problem sometimes. Below we will discuss and explain why this happens and when you should do something about it. There are some cases when your dog is lethargic due to a severe problem and as such, he needs help as soon as possible.
Differences Between Relaxed and Lethargic Dog
The first thing we must reveal is that dogs will sleep 10-12 hours a day. Just because they sleep this much, it doesn’t mean they are lethargic. In fact, this is normal. If your pet is relaxing, he is not lethargic either. My dog’s acting lethargic issue is a bit different and more complex.
A dog who is lethargic will show certain signs. He will refuse to eat. This is usually the first and the most common sign. He will refuse to walk, play or interact with you. He will also refuse to come when you call him. In general, he will act weird.
He will not have any energy and he will not be interested in anything. If these signs are present and they last for the entire day or even longer, your pet is lethargic.
Reasons Why Dogs Can Become Lethargic
Dogs can get lethargic due to several things. In some cases, you don’t have to worry about this issue. It will go away. But, in other situations, you do need to worry and you need to take him to a vet. Below we will explain when and why this happens.
Massive Change
If you make a massive change to your home, your pet can end up with lethargy. Moving to a new home is one example. Adding a new dog or person to the household can be another example. A dog is confused, scared, and even angry at you.
They don’t like changes and they will act weirdly after each one. There is no need to do anything about it. Just wait and lethargy will go away.
All changes you are planning to make need to be introduced to a dog slowly. Only then your pet will accept these better and there won’t be side effects of this kind. This is something that all expert dog owners know already. Making a fast change is not good for dogs. They hate this and they will react weirdly even due to the smallest changes in their life.
Sickness
A sick dog will be lethargic. He will lose all of his energy and he will refuse to move. He will refuse to eat also. If a dog skips one meal it is fine. But if he skips more than one meal there is a problem. There are some severe problems here. He may have heartworm disease, problems with the liver, heart, or kidneys.
Usually, a dog with these issues will vomit, show blood in the stool or even in the vomit. All these signs are present in combination with lethargy. You must take him to a vet immediately.
There are many options and possibilities here. We can’t cover a small portion of them. Ideally, you will take him to a vet as soon as you notice the first sign. But, this happens rarely and most dog owners will take their dogs to a vet once lethargy is visible.
Medication Side-Effects
All medications have side effects. Some are minor and they don’t cause big issues. Others are massive and they can cause all kinds of problems. If your dog has a treatment and he needs certain medications this can happen.
He will be lethargic due to those medications. This issue can last as long as he is under drugs or until his body adjusts. You will have to talk to your vet and understand the side effects better. You may even want to change the drug. A different drug may be much better and there will be no side effects.
In rare situations, your pet must complete the treatment. It means that he will be lethargic for a long time. This is very rare but sometimes you must get used to it.
Your Pet Is Seriously Scared
When a dog is scared he will show signs of lethargy. There is no medical issue here. Your pet is still fine and healthy. But, he is scared of something so he will refuse to do anything. He is scared that if he does something, a bad thing will happen. In almost all cases of this kind, the issue will disappear within days. If it remains active, your pet needs professional help and you will need to provide that. Things like loud noise, telling and similar things can be responsible.
Due To Toxins
All kinds of things are poisonous to dogs. The best example here is chocolate. There are many more as well. Fertilizers, chemicals and so much more can cause this.
These are all toxins that need time to start causing pain and all kinds of other problems to your pet. Because your pet will be in pain, he will show signs of lethargy. He can be in severe discomfort as well which makes things even worse. Take him to a vet immediately. This can be paired with vomiting, diarrhea and so much more. The success of the treatment depends on when it will start and which toxin is present.
The Final Word
Dogs don’t like to show signs of lethargy. A dog acting lethargic is a common problem that affects some dogs. Now you can tell why your particular pet suffers from it. It is always better and wiser to take him to a vet as soon as you think something is wrong. A vet can diagnose the issues and help your dog. If everything is fine, you will be home in no time.