Why Your Dog is lethargic and What to do About It?

Bullmastiff Dog

Your dog is undoubtedly in good shape—he’s a powerful, fast-moving mammal with a metabolism that can easily burn through double its body weight daily. But like all mammals, dogs have their own unique set of needs. Many require extra attention and care; others don’t respond well to being left alone for too long. When your dog isn’t getting the love or care he requires, his health suffers. For example, if your pooch doesn’t get enough exercise, her metabolic rate wilts, and she could end up with conditions like thyroid problems or diabetes. Or, if she’s overfed or undernourished, her muscles fall apart, becoming listless and lethargic.

Unfortunately, most owners aren’t aware that their dogs have difficulty getting enough nourishment until something goes wrong. Since they don’t show it immediately (unless you catch them cheating), owners usually think their dog is tired of being a little grumpy because he’s had a busy day at work or school. Check out these 5 reasons why your dog is lazy and what you can do today!

Your dog has an Illness.


A dog’s health can be affected by various issues, ranging from the obvious (diabetes, cancer) to more subtle (fibromyalgia, organ damage, skin conditions, etc.). Pay particular attention to your dog’s behavior and appetite while the dog is is sick. If the dog appears to be dehydrated, have the dog drink plenty of water and pay attention to any changes in the dog’s bowel movements. If the dog is not eating or its stools are bloody or watery, it could have an allergic reaction.

Your Dog is Overworked or Tied Up


Another reason your dog might be lethargic is that he’s being tied up or tied out a lot. If he’s being tied up for long periods, he may be stressed and unable to relax. Instead of tying your dog up, try to find creative ways to exercise him without moving him from place to place. Walking, running, or swimming are great ways to keep your dog active but out of the corner of your eye.

Limit Unnecessary Cuts


Tying a dog up limits his movement and makes it harder for him to escape potential threats. But tying a dog up cuts off his blood flow and can make his paws very sore by squishing his toes together.

Avoid placing objects in his way while tied up to prevent possible cuts on your dog’s paws. A simple “no” can go a long way toward preventing unnecessary injuries.

Limit the Amount of Restricted Movement


Tying your dog up may cause him to pant excessively. But a lot of panting can be a sign of other problems, like stress, illness, or even heart failure. Limit the amount of time your dog is tied up, and reduce the amount of panting he does.

Help Your Dog Relax


When your dog is contained in a small space, he’s more likely to tense up. Avoid making the situation more uncomfortable for your dog by relieving his tension.

For example, if your dog is bored when you’re out, try giving him toys or a place to run.

Your Dog is Thirsty or Low on Food


If your dog is thirsty or low on food, he might be able to manage the situation independently. But if he’s panting and whining for a drink, it can be harder for your dog to get rid of excess fat, making it harder for your pet to feel good and lose weight. To ensure your dog is getting enough fat, try serving him high-fat meals or offering him foods that will make him fat, like peanut butter and avocado.

You can also try serving him foods that will make him lose fat, like avocados, butter, and coconut oil. If you’re worried that your dog is too thin, you can refer to his eating disorder as an indicator that he needs more fat in his diet. If your pet is already underfed, you can try offering foods that will make him feel full, like pasta, potatoes, and rice, If your dog is overweight, you can try serving him foods that will make him feel full, like peanut butter and avocado.

Video by Vets Now

You Feed Your Dog the Wrong Things


Mystery meat – as many dog owners know, certain meats are off-limits because they contain animal-specific bacteria. But many people might not know that various animal parts are also off-limits for dogs: brain, eyes, wool, bones, etc. The problem with “healthy” foods for dogs is that they don’t contain any nutrients essential for good health. For example, potato chips have very few essential nutrients that dogs need. Potato chips are high in fat, sugar, and salt.

Even though potato chips are “healthy” food for humans, they are not healthy for dogs. Potato chips are very high in carbohydrates, which are not healthy for dogs.
When fed “healthy” foods, owners must be careful not to overfeed their dogs. Because “healthy” foods lack essential nutrients, they can cause dogs to lose weight very quickly. Foods that are high in fat, sugar, and salt, on the other hand, slow down the digestive process. This, in turn, can make it harder for a dog to lose weight.

Your Dog’s Environment Is Off-putting or In Need of Improvement


If your pooch doesn’t like his environment, he might be depressed or suicidal. In this case, your dog’s health could be negatively impacted because he’s unable to express how he feels. If he is in a frustrating environment or if he is kept in a small space, he might bite, chew, or bark a lot to show how he feels. He may be experiencing an anxiety attack, that is so severe that he becomes physically aggressive.

An attack may accompany excessive panting, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, and avoidance of bright lights and loud noises. Stopping the soundest and most likely treatment for an animal with anxiety in the first 24 hours can significantly reduce the likelihood of the condition recurring.

The best time to start is before he becomes aggressive by checking in on him frequently and interacting with him through positive, calming tones, such as a voice message on your phone. Games of fetch can be a great way to decrease anxiety, as can being close to him and licking his face. He may also benefit from professional counseling to help him deal with his anxiety.

Exercising With Your Dog Is Hard to Start


If your dog constantly wants to play instead of doing exercises, he could have hip or elbow dysplasia. OA is common in young dogs because they can’t walk properly yet. They turn the wrong way, put pressure on the wrong area, or have difficulty getting up. As your puppy grows, he should be able to do everything. If not, he should be looked at by a vet. OA is often found in breeds with a history of low activity levels, so it’s important to rule that out as a potential cause.

Your vet can do a physical exam and order blood tests to find out what else might be wrong. Once your puppy has OA, he must be given exercises to strengthen his muscles. He should be walked at least a few times daily and given special splints if he can’t walk well independently. He should also receive a massage to help loosen up his muscles. Regular exercise is very important for your dog, but it’s especially critical for dogs with arthritis.

Conclusion


Unfortunately, when it comes to canine health, many owners are unaware that their pet has a health issue. This is why paying attention to your dog’s behaviors and nutritional needs is important. If your dog is lethargic or has other health problems, you should get whatever treatment he needs. If he’s healthy, then he’s probably just lazy. But if he’s not, he must know he’s not being treated right.

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