Why is My Dog So Lazy
7 Ways To Help Your Tired Pup
When your dog’s behavior changes, it can be alarming. You want him to be happy and healthy, but do not know what to do. You can start with some of the most common reasons to answer “why is my dog is so lazy”? When you know the reason that applies to your pet, you can try some easy solutions to help your lazy dog.
1. Checking For Illness
As a dog cannot communicate the way a human does, it can be difficult to know when he is sick.
There are some signs to look for when you are checking for illness.
If you notice any of these signs, and they are relatively new, your dog may need medical attention.
– He has trouble breathing
– He is having severe diarrhea or vomiting
– He cries or acts aggressively when he is touched
– There are noticeable changes in his appetite
– He has gained or lost weight for no reason
– He has excessive thirst, salivation, or urination
– He acts aggressive, fearful, or withdrawn when it is not his normal temperament
– He has developed extremely bad breath
– His activity level has declined for no apparent reason
– He has trouble standing up
– His eyes are red, cloudy, or dry
– His skin has become itchy or dry, or you notice lumps or sores
Preventive care can help your dog stay healthy, but the illness can still occur. These can be signs of minor or serious health conditions. Avoid trying to treat your pet yourself with home remedies. Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Your vet can perform diagnostic tests to determine the cause of his symptoms. Your dog can receive appropriate treatment to restore him to good health.
2. Not Enough Exercise Could Be Good Reason Why My Dog is So Lazy
Similar to people, dogs need exercise to stay healthy. It benefits every part of his body, from his limbs to his cardiovascular system. Exercise also benefits his mental health. If he does not get enough exercise, he may become tired and lazy. While the amount of exercise he needs depends on his age, breed, and preferences, there are ways you can include physical activity in his daily life.
– Choose toys that promote physical activity. He may like chew bones and squeaky toys, but they do not help him stay active. Make sure he also has toys that increase running and playing, such as Frisbees and balls.
– Take cues from your dog. Walk and run with your pet when you notice he wants these activities. Play when he wants to play. Play active games, like fetch, hide-and-seek, and tug-of-war.
– Look for opportunities to include your pet in your activities. He may enjoy swimming or hiking with you.
– When the weather is nice, exercise with your dog outdoors. He will have more fun running and playing in the yard than exercising inside the house.
3. Diet Is Definitely a Sure Bet Why My Dog is So Lazy
If a dog does not have a proper diet, he can become too thin or too fat, tired or lazy, or even ill. His dietary requirements depend on his breed, age, size, and activity levels. When you are planning his diet, points to consider include:
– How much and how often he should be fed
– Calories per serving of dog food
– Nutritional content of the food
– Ingredients in the food
The best source of information is your own veterinarian. As he is familiar with your dog, he can provide advice on feeding your pet. Your dog will be healthier, and he will have the energy he needs to stay active.
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4. Age Has a Lot To With Why My Dog Is So Lazy
It may seem natural for an older dog to be tired or lazy. However, sleeping all day is not good for his physical health or his mental health. You may need to make some accommodations if your pet is elderly or frail, but senior dogs benefit from an active lifestyle the same as younger pets. When you take his general health into consideration, there are ways you can help your older dog enjoy activity.
– Interact with your pet. If your dog spends most of his time lying around and acting lazy, you may be tempted to ignore him. This is not the best way to deal with the problem. As your dog grows older, he still needs to know he is important to you and part of your everyday life. Talk to him and engage with him throughout the day.
– Take your dog exploring. On nice days, take every opportunity to enjoy the weather outdoors. Take your dog to places he enjoyed in the past, and places he has never been before. This will stimulate his mind as well as his activity levels.
– Teach him some new tricks. Your pet may not have the strength or stamina to do complicated tricks, but you can find many tricks that are fun. Look for tricks that promote physical activity.
– Buy some new toys. Look for active toys that are age-appropriate.
– Help him engage with others. If your dog is not naturally shy, he would like to meet other people and other dogs. You can ask your friends to bring their dogs when they visit your home. If you know dogs in your area are not aggressive, take your pet to the park or for long walks.
– Try some training classes. If your senior dog is healthy enough, sign him up for some training.
– Learn what motivates your pet. Dogs of all ages have personal preferences. He may respond to certain words or toys, or may simply enjoy pleasing you. When you know what captures his attention, it can be used as an opportunity for physical activity.
Older dogs generally slow down, but it does not mean you should ignore tiredness and laziness. He will be healthier and happier if he has some type of activity every day.
5. Boredom
Pets can become bored the same as people. It can be a special problem if he is alone much of the day while you are at work, but boredom can occur for other reasons. In addition to tiredness and laziness, he may show other behaviors that indicate he is bored. Perhaps he frequently tries to get your attention, jumps on you, barks for no reason, or damages your home or yard. Fortunately, it is not difficult to relieve your dog’s boredom.
– Provide new experiences. Similar to children, or even adults, dogs get excited over something new. Think of opportunities in and around your home for new experiences. Perhaps a new dog park recently opened in your community. Perhaps there is a beach or hiking trail nearby. Perhaps you have never taken him for a ride in your car. New experiences can provide mental stimulation as well as physical activity.
– Provide new toys. Your pet may have a few toys or many toys. Even if he has favorites, though, playing with the same toys over and over again can cause boredom. Visit a pet shop, a department store that sells pet supplies, or an online shop, and buy a couple of new toys for your dog.
– Make time for exercise. From jogging around the neighborhood to an active game, exercise can relieve boredom.
– Engage with your dog. Your pet needs one-on-one attention. Instead of watching t.v. at night, spend at least a half-hour talking to him. Pet and hug your canine friend. Ask others in your family to do this, too. He will love the attention, and it can reduce boredom.
– Teach him something. Even a new command can be a learning experience.
– Socialize your dog. You can find a neighbor or friend who is willing to arrange playdates for their dogs and your pet. Unless he is fearful of other dogs, it can be a fun, exciting experience.
– Find something for him to do. Dogs were bred to have jobs. Perhaps you can teach him to bring in the newspaper. Perhaps you can fill a box with dirt or sand, and hide toys in it.
Boredom is easy to develop, but it is not difficult to overcome. When you help relieve your dog’s boredom, he will not be as tired and lazy.
6. Depression
There are many reasons dogs can become depressed. Changes in his everyday life or lifestyle can affect his mood and his behavior. In addition to becoming tired and lazy, he may show little enthusiasm, appear restless, or show other changes in his behaviors. You can start to relieve his depression by learning its cause. Some common examples include:
– Any changes in his daily life
– Less physical exercise or mental stimulation
– Not enough quality time with you
– Fears or phobias
– Boredom
When you know the specific issue that is bothering your pet, you can take steps to address it. If you cannot determine the cause, or are unable to resolve it, your veterinarian can provide advice.
7. Oxidative Stress
If there is an imbalance of antioxidants and free radicals in your dog’s body, it can contribute to a variety of health problems. Older dogs are more prone to developing oxidative stress, but it can also occur in younger dogs. You can help your dog by adding some fresh fruits and vegetables to his daily diet. While brightly-colored fruits and vegetables contain the most antioxidants, there are antioxidant properties in others, too.
– Berries. The high antioxidant content makes berries a Superfood. Some examples include blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and cranberries.
– Fruits. Some fruits you can add to his diet include watermelon, pineapple, pears, apples, oranges, cantaloupe, mango, bananas, and pitted peaches.
– Vegetables. Fresh vegetables are an excellent source of nutrition, including antioxidants. Try sweet potatoes, broccoli, spinach, Brussels sprouts, peas, pumpkin, carrots, celery, or green beans.
If your dog is unfamiliar with berries, fruits, and vegetables, introduce small amounts into his daily diet. Not all dogs tolerate these foods equally well, and he may not like a specific food. You have a number of options. You can mix a small amount of a fruit or vegetable into his regular dog food. You can provide it to him separately. You can give him a couple of berries as a treat instead of his usual treats. When you increase the antioxidants in his diet, he will be healthier and happier.
You should also check your dog’s regular dog food for its antioxidant content. Although many commercial dog foods do contain antioxidants, some are synthetic. Make sure the antioxidants in his food are natural. If you are unsure of what to look for, or how to understand labels, ask your veterinarian for help.
Whether your dog has been tired and lazy for a long time, or you have only recently noticed this behavior, behavior changes should never be ignored. When you start by determining the cause, you are a step closer to a solution. When you address the problem as soon as possible, your dog will be on the way to better health. His activity levels can increase, and you will have a happier pet. It can even extend his lifespan, so you can continue to enjoy life together for many years to come.