Dogs like to be active and unlike cats, they like to spend their time outside, following a routine and going for walks with their pet parents. So, when your normally energetic dog begins to lose interest in his favorite activities or sleeps more, you may suspect that your child is dealing with a health problem. Your four-legged friend may be eating more and exercising less, causing him to gain weight and now have difficulty moving around easily. Your dog might also suffer from arthritis, which could lead to mobility issues. Additionally, dogs tend to get bored when there isn’t enough mental stimulation. Either way, you need to dig deep and find out the underlying cause of your dog’s laziness. (Also read: What to do when your dog runs away? An animal mother shares her experience, offers advice)
“Being a pet parent is no easy task, with the health and well-being of your pet always at the forefront of your thoughts. A common fact well known to pet parents is that you need to keep a watchful eye on your pets and their lifestyle to know if anything is wrong. Since these beautiful creatures are unable to talk to us, pet parents need to keep an eye on their eating habits, their lifestyle, their mood, their bowel movements and, most importantly, their activity level. A sudden change in activity level is a very common sign that something may be wrong with your pet. Laziness is a key signal to watch for,” says Devanshi Shah, founder and CEO of Petkonnect.
Shah lists 5 reasons why your dog has suddenly become inactive:
● Obesity: Obesity or being heavier than normal for your specific breed is one of the main causes of laziness in dogs. Obesity in dogs can lead to many problems such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, bladder stones, etc. and should therefore be avoided, particularly during the winter months when most dogs experience an improvement in their appetite. As such, one must ensure that this improved appetite is also accompanied by an increase in the amount of exercise. The great thing is that unlike the warm summer months, dogs can spend a lot more time outside the house in the winter, allowing for longer walks and play sessions. Try doing make the exercise more like a play session for your pet, and he will become more fond of this activity. With dogs who simply resist higher activity levels, consider hiring a dog trainer for additional input.
● Joint pain or arthritis: Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints and a common problem in many dogs that causes pain, discomfort and stiffness. While there are many obvious signs, such as difficulty getting up, getting down, or jumping, or stiffness when walking, laziness is also a very important sign to watch for. In many cases, animals do not experience serious pain or discomfort and therefore may not show obvious signs that we can detect. Rather, the animal will simply stop moving too much to avoid discomfort. This is when parents should take the pet to a veterinarian to assess the reason for this newfound laziness.
● Hormonal imbalances: Hormonal imbalances such as hypothyroidism are also a common illness in dogs. This is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones, usually caused by one of two conditions: lymphocytic thyroiditis or idiopathic atrophy of the thyroid gland. Symptoms of hypothyroidism in dogs include laziness, fatigue, weight gain, excessive shedding, a boring attitude, and the inability to tolerate cold. Laziness coupled with one or two additional symptoms could be a sure sign of hormonal imbalances in the animal. Be sure to consult a veterinarian to learn the best treatment options available for your pet, based on their specific condition.
● Mental stimulation: A lack of mental stimulation can further lead to laziness in the animal. In this case, most often the dog does not interact sufficiently with its parents or with other dogs. This is common in families where the parent does not have enough time to devote to their pet given other commitments such as work or family obligations. The cause of laziness here has to do with the dog’s feelings of loneliness or depression. Make an effort to play more with your dog and try to provide him with company when you are away for unavoidable reasons. Only if efforts to engage your dog fail should you consult a veterinarian.
● Infections or medications: Laziness in dogs can sometimes be the result of infections in the animal that are not so obvious to detect. If your dog is acting more lethargic than usual and you’ve tried to assess the situation and come up empty-handed, you’re probably dealing with an internal infection. The dog could have heartworm, an external parasite, or some type of bacterial or viral infection. Additionally, if your dog starts showing signs of laziness right after starting a new medication, the chances that the medication will not be suitable for your pet are very high. Consult your veterinarian for alternative remedies or medications.
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