If you have a lethargic dog who is not himself, you should take him to your vet. It's likely they will perform a thorough physical examination as well as ask questions about your dog's recent behaviour and past health record. In most cases, diagnostics tests will be carried out such as blood, urine and faecal tests.
A dog who suddenly becomes disinterested in his pack may be experiencing a wide range of emotions, such as jealousy, anxiety or depression. Has anything changed in your home environment recently? Maybe someone moved into your home (or out of it). Maybe you've been taking him for walks less often than usual.
If your dog seems sad, it might mean he or she is not feeling well either emotionally or physically. In any case, do not ignore it! Like humans, a sad dog could be an indication of depression or it could be a symptom of a physical injury.
Behavioral changes can be your first indicator that something is wrong with your dog. If interest is lost in playing games, going for walks, eating, and sudden lethargy are good key indicators that something is wrong, and your dog is trying to tell you in their own way.
Aggressive behavior may be the result of misguided excitement, fear and anxiety, pain or frustration. Your dog may be shy due to different reasons. For example, he may have experienced abuse in the past and be hesitant around new people or animals.
What causes 'dog depression'? There are many factors that can impact on a dog's emotional state – these include changes to routine, environment, social group, or as a result of chronic stress or anxiety resulting from fears and phobias or lifestyle.
Some of the signs of parvovirus include lethargy; loss of appetite; abdominal pain and bloating; fever or low body temperature (hypothermia); vomiting; and severe, often bloody, diarrhea. Persistent vomiting and diarrhea can cause rapid dehydration, and damage to the intestines and immune system can cause septic shock.
Start by running your fingers slowly over your dog's entire body. If you feel a bump or swollen area, check to see if a tick has burrowed there. Don't limit your search to your dog's torso. Check between their toes, around their legs, the insides of their ears and all around their face, chin and neck.
The reasons your dog may not be listening might be medical in nature, but most often, if your dog will not come to you or ignores you completely, it is because of a training or a behavioral issue. Once you feel you have ruled out potential illness, training and conditioning your dog will improve his recall ability.
He may have been trained as a pup not to lick — by someone who's a better trainer than I am — or he may simply have other ways he prefers to use to communicate with you or show you affection. If your dog isn't a licker, don't fret — just enjoy your saliva-free life!
Beaver said major changes in a dog's life could lead to periods of depression. Those include moving into a new home, a new spouse or baby in the household, or adding another pet. Even a change in the dog's schedule, for instance a stay-at-home owner who takes a job, can cause a dog to get down.
Seek immediate medical attention from your veterinarian or an emergency vet clinic if your dog shows any of the following symptoms: Open wounds, possible broken bones or injury due to trauma or incident such as a fall or being hit by a vehicle, even if he appears to be acting OK. Stopped breathing or unconsciousness.
Sleeping More Than Usual and Being Lethargic
Most dogs are lazy animals who sleep a lot especially when their owners are not around. However, if the dog starts to sleep most of the day especially when the owners are back home and there is hustle and bustle in the home, then your dog might be suffering from depression.
Treating depression in dogs is very similar to treating depression in humans. A good starting place is to keep your dog busy and treat them to the things they love. Extra car rides or trips to the dog park are good ways to boost morale. Exercise can also result in a healthy body as well as a healthy mind.
You Aren't Fun Enough
If your dog isn't listening, they may have learned that there is a greater reward in ignoring you— more squirrels to chase, more time to smell the grass, you name it. The only way to get your dog's attention is to become more interesting than whatever they are currently doing.)
While it might seem counterintuitive, ignoring your dog can sometimes work as a useful training tool. The idea is that when you react to an unwanted behavior, you are actually rewarding the behavior. So ignoring behavior is particularly helpful when what the dog seeks is your attention.
Just like us, dogs can also feel a little under the weather. The only difference is that your pet can't tell you when they're feeling poorly, so it's important that you can recognise common dog illness symptoms so you can help your furry friend feel like themselves again.
Many foods can ease an already upset stomach, including small amounts of bland foods such as boiled chicken, white rice, and scrambled eggs. Always consult your veterinarian first to be sure that the food you are offering your sick dog is OK.
It turns out that yes, dogs, just like us, can feel under the weather. Of course, there are dog-specific diseases, like parvo, ringworm, and more that can make our dogs feel sick. But it turns out that dogs can actually get both colds and the flu too!