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Why is my dog lethargic?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Various factors can bring on lethargy in dogs. These include the temperature of the environment, stress or anxiety, an adverse reaction to medications, illness, and certain medical conditions. Puppies are frequently lethargic when ill, after a stressful event, or after their vaccinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Heat can make dogs lethargic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you live somewhere that has a warm climate or it\u2019s a hot day, you will notice your dog becomes lethargic. You know what it\u2019s like to be hit by a heatwave – it\u2019s just too hot for them to move around and do much.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your dog is overwhelmed, stressed out and unable to cope, they may shut down or become lethargic. Kind of like you when your boss asks you for those reports you haven’t handed in yet. If your puppy or dog is sick or has been vomiting,<\/a> they\u2019ll often become lethargic too. It makes sense. Throwing up makes anyone subdued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dogs in pain are frequently lethargic. There can be many reasons for feeling pain, arthritis, or joint problems being the main ones. These are much more common in adult dogs, but puppies also get sore from growing pains, which could lead them to be lethargic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Parasites like fleas<\/a>, worms<\/a> or other gnarly things can cause anemia, making your puppy lethargic. Our guides<\/a> have all kinds of good information on how to get these silly nasties out of the way!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Common dog medications such as wormers<\/a> and flea treatments<\/a> can make dogs feel under the weather and lethargic. Yep, sometimes with puppies, you gotta go through lower than low to feel better than ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Puppies need to sleep<\/a> a huge amount. More than you expect. Around 18 hours a day, in fact. Don’t be surprised if your new puppy<\/a> sleeps a lot – this doesn’t necessarily mean they\u2019re lethargic, just a little snoozy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, depression can sadly also happen to dogs. If your dog has become lethargic, it could be a sign that they\u2019re struggling emotionally. As humans, we don\u2019t really think about how our dog\u2019s mood is most days and what might make them feel sad. But the truth is, they might be grieving, missing one of the family when they go out, or just having an off day due to hormonal changes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure you keep an eye open for this!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your dog is lethargic, there will be some tell-tale signs such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re thinking your dog has any of these signs, we recommend you book a consultation with your vet – we\u2019re sure you want to keep your puppy as happy as ever, right? Read our full guide to puppy vet visits<\/a> to teach your dog that seeing the vet is no big deal and that they actually make things a whole lot better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your dog or puppy is refusing food and drink<\/a> and is generally not acting like themselves, a consult with the vet might help rule all the bad stuff out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If your dog has been sick, it\u2019s good to feed them a bland diet<\/a> to let their tummy settle. Getting fluids into a dog that has been vomiting or had diarrhea is important so they don\u2019t get dehydrated!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Feeding dogs a balanced diet is important so that they receive the correct nutrition<\/a>, but if you\u2019re feeling extra, you can get into making homemade meals and treats<\/a>. How lucky are they! \u2026Or not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re in a hot climate and your dog is lethargic, it\u2019s time to get creative. Get the doggy paddling pool out, feed them some pupsicles, or simply pop them in a cooler area of the house!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you think your dog is depressed, try some mood-boosting fun training games<\/a> or play with an interactive toy<\/a> with them. Getting some new toys<\/a> and playing is a great way of building a relationship with your dog. Problem-solving<\/a> and playing actually help dogs to feel happy! That\u2019s a good enough reason to just do it all the time, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your dog is feeling under the weather, extra cuddles and loving attention will never be too much. Showing them affection will be reassuring for them, and let them know that you\u2019re there for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As always, if you think there is something medically wrong with your dog, you should contact your vet<\/a> first rather than trying to diagnose it yourself. We don’t want any chances of them being sick!<\/p>\n\n\n\n So there you have it. We hope you haven’t become lethargic yourself after all of this!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dogs and puppies can be lethargic for many reasons, some more worrying and requiring vet attention than others. If you\u2019re worried about your dog being lethargic, it can be a good idea to keep a diary to track what they eat, the amount of exercise they\u2019re getting, what the weather is like and if they\u2019re on any medication. This helps us figure out what\u2019s causing the lethargy, and once we know the cause we can look at helping them feel more like themselves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re worried about your dog having worms or fleas, our articles on puppy worms<\/a> and flea treatment<\/a> for puppies will tell you everything you need to know.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Come on then, you know you want to download the Zigzag puppy app<\/a>. Using the most up-to-date science-based methods, we\u2019ll help you train your puppy with a program specifically designed for your dog\u2019s breed, and give you lessons based on their stage of development. Our professional dog trainers<\/a> will be happy to help with any hiccups you run into – literally any day of the week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Obedience is only the tip of the iceberg. Your puppy will come out confident, happy and ready to take over the world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The heat can also make your dog pant or breathe fast<\/a>, so keep an eye on that too.<\/p>\n\n\n\nYour dog may become lethargic due to stress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Being placed in a frightening situation or being exposed to too many things at once can also cause your puppy to become lethargic. To avoid this, socialization<\/a> should be done at their pace, and experiences should be positive. Our app tells you all about that, don’t worry (and become lethargic).<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf your dog is sick or ill they will be lethargic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Your dog is in pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Your dog or puppy may be anemic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Your dog might be reacting to medication<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Your puppy might just be really, really tired<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once you start taking them out for walks<\/a> and exercise, you\u2019ll start seeing naps start to pop up a lot more.\u00a0 Our article on puppy sleep habits explained<\/a> has a lot more to tell you about this.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nYour dog might be depressed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What are the signs of lethargy in dogs?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What do I do if my dog is lethargic?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If your dog has stopped eating and drinking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If your dog has been vomiting or has the runs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cook them some homemade food<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cool a hot dog down<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Try boosting their mood with games and play<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Give your dog some love<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Talk to your vet if your dog is lethargic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n