Picture this: you’ve come home from a long day at work, and your daily routine involves your dog greeting you enthusiastically at the door. But what if they’re lying on the couch instead, seeming tired or disinterested and not as much as lifting their tail?
Compared to normal sleepiness or tiredness, lethargy entails deep exhaustion or an uncharacteristic lack of energy on your dog’s part. It may explain the change in their behavior and be indicative of something more serious. To see what you can do for your dog if they seem “off,” let’s discover the 6 reasons your dog feels lethargic.
Prepare to alleviate your dog’s symptoms with some all-around pet essentials, like custom dog blankets to comfort them.
Signs of Lethargy in Dogs
First, it’s important to pinpoint the signs of lethargy that you may observe in your dog before tackling the deeper reasons behind their symptoms.
The following are telltale signs of lethargy:
- Decreased activity. Your usually playful and energetic dog suddenly becomes less interested in playtime and exercise.
- Excessive sleepiness. Your dog spends more time sleeping than usual and seems less alert when they’re awake.
- Lack of interest. Toys and treats that usually excite your dog no longer hold their attention.
- Change in appetite. A decrease in appetite or reluctance to eat can be a red flag, especially if it continues across several days.
- Withdrawn behavior. Your dog may prefer solitude and avoid social interaction instead of being their usual friendly self.
- Sluggish movements. Your dog may move more slowly and without their usual enthusiasm.
- Excessive panting or breathing. Sometimes, lethargic dogs may exhibit irregular breathing patterns or heavy panting, which could indicate an underlying issue.
6 Common Causes of Lethargy in Dogs
1) Serious Infections
Severe infections, such as parvovirus and kennel cough, can lead to lethargy. Some of these infections are highly contagious, and your dog may need to be isolated and confined until the lethargy and other symptoms of illness go away.
2) Internal Injury
Injuries or trauma can also result in lethargy. For example, your dog may have been hit by a car without your knowledge. As a result, they may currently be nursing a broken bone. Other common internal injuries that can account for your dog’s lethargy include ruptured bladder or spleen from trauma or internal bleeding.
If your dog shows no external injuries, it can be difficult to know for sure. But if, on top of lethargy, your dog is showing signs that they’re in pain, like howling or whining, get the vet to look at them right away.
3) Poison
Dogs that have ingested toxic substances, like poisonous mushrooms, are often lethargic as a result. If you suspect that poisoning is the cause of your dog’s lethargy, contact the nearest poison control center or clinic. Try to determine the chemical or toxin your pet was exposed to by retracing your steps and figuring out when your dog started showing lethargic behavior.
4) Anemia
Anemia affects a dog’s energy levels and overall health. It can have various causes, and proper treatment for it is necessary to get your dog back in good shape.
Aside from lethargy, blood in the feces and stool are the best known symptoms. However, only your vet can know for sure if your dog is anemic.
Treatments for anemia will depend on the severity of your dog’s condition, and entail something as simple as giving them medication or an intervention as serious as a surgical procedure. Whichever the case, be sure to run your concerns through your vet.
5) Parasites
Internal and external parasites, such as fleas and ticks, can also cause lethargy and generally have your dog feeling ill. Regular preventive measures and treatment for these are essential. However, if you’ve already observed a number of symptoms related to parasites on top of your dog’s lethargic demeanor, it’s time to book an appointment to the vet.
Parasites like internal worms can typically be treated with deworming medications. Meanwhile, ticks and fleas can be addressed with interventions like medicated baths and special flea collars. Once your dog has gone through these treatments, their energy levels may pick up significantly.
6) Dehydration
You may also be able to attribute something as simple as dehydration to your dog’s lethargy. To prevent lethargy and serious problems like heat stroke, keep them well hydrated especially in hot weather. You can bring a portable dog bowl, for example, when going for walks and hikes with them.
If you know why exactly your dog is feeling lethargic, you’ll be able to get them the care they need as soon as possible. Consult an expert like a veterinarian to determine the underlying cause of a serious lethargy problem, and put your dog in a position to recover swiftly.
Don’t forget, too, to comfort your dog and to let them know how much you care for them when it’s a little harder than usual to get their tail wagging.
