Why My Dog Is Lazy? 6 Possible Reasons For Your Dog’s Laziness

Is your energetic and full-of-life dog suddenly becoming lazy and down? All activities and outdoor walks are over. One of the most active and joyful creatures on earth now only wants to sleep more and more. Do you suspect that your pet child is suffering from some serious illness?
Unlike cats, dogs are joyful and active animals. They love to go outdoor walks and follow a routine visit with their pet parents. So, when a very active and energetic pet just becomes a lazy soul who just wants to sleep, there is a probability that your dog suffers from some health problem. So are you wondering Why My Dog Is Lazy? We will discuss here six common reasons that can cause your bouncing and playing dog to become inactive and languishing soul.

1 Obesity

If your dog is obese and fatty above a specific level, this can be one of the main reasons for your dog being lazy and limpid. As a pet parent, one of the most challenging things is to maintain the weight of your furry friend. This is important because being overweight, a dog can lead to catastrophic illnesses like cancer, heart disease and diabetes. So every pet owner needs to understand the hazards of leaving their dog overweight.

It’s become more difficult to maintain an optimal weight in winter when the appetite of the dog increases. So, an owner should increase the outdoor activities of his/her dog with an improved appetite to manage the body fat percentage. Unlike hot summer days, dogs have the opportunity to play outside for a longer period in winter. Train your dog to do exercise with you to burn the extra calories. The dog simply has more walking sessions and exercising sessions will remain more active and energetic.

Also Read: Why Dog Is Overweight

2 Arthritis (Joints Pain)

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis (Inflammation of joints) prevalent in dogs. In this condition, a dog suffers from mild to severe joint pain. So, the pain in the joints will discomfort the dog during walking or exercising. Less exercise will lead your dog to gain more weight. In this type of arthritis, most dogs feel more pain in their hip joints. Hip pain can be confirmed by touching the hind region of the dog. The gait of the dog also shows discomfort, specifically from the back side of the body. Physical therapy recommended by a veterinarian will be a good option in this condition.

3 Hormonal Imbalance

Hormonal imbalances include hypothyroidism, in which the thyroid gland can’t produce an adequate amount of thyroxine hormone, which eventually leads to laziness in dogs. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include laziness, dullness, muscle pain, weight gain, languish attitude, walking stiffness etc. Laziness accompanied by two or three of the above signs surely indicates a hormonal imbalance in the dog’s body. Consultation with a vet is recommended in this situation.

4 Lack of Mental Stimulation in Lazy Dog

Dogs need the attention of their pet parents. So, lack of attention and stimulation will lead a dog to laziness. If a dog does not interact too much with its owners or with other dogs in its surroundings, then this lack of mental stimulation will cause the dog to become lazy. Families experiencing these issues are primarily those where households are busy in their lives and lack adequate time due to their commitments and obligations. The causes which we have explained here are just due to the loneliness and separation of the dog. These issues can be resolved just by giving some extra time to your pet friend. Only pet parents have the solution to their depressed dog. Give your dog company and time which it deserves and needs dearly.

5 Infections And Medications

Many infections which are so difficult to recognize also cause a dog to become lazy and limpid. If your active and energetic dog has become lazy suddenly but even after trying to elaborate on the situation, you are not able to point out the issue, then check for some internal problem. There are chances that your pet child has some internal infection due to bacterial or viral diseases. Also, many parasites can cause infestation inside the bodies of dogs, like heartworm. If your dog becomes lazy after using a specific medication, then the chances are very high that the medicine doesn’t seem good for your dog.

6 Injury or Trauma

With the ageing process, the body of a dog becomes weaker and more prone to injury. Old dogs with weak bones, muscles, and joints are much more likely to experience injuries or trauma. At this stage, your dog hesitates to do its routine tasks. Try to avoid going outside for a walk and even don’t like to play with its favourite toys. As time progresses, the joints and cartilage become weaker, worsening the situation. So your pet becomes more uncomfortable and lazy with every passing day. 

Symptoms Of a Lazy Dog

Normally it is not a tough thing to determine that a dog is acting lazy. Sluggishness with a lack of energy and sleeping more is not the instinctive nature of dogs. Energetic and active dogs become lethargic and all the excitement vanishes within no time.
Exercise and walking sessions are engulfed by the sluggishness of the pet partner. Your dog just does not want to go for a walk and does not want to do exercise with you. A creature which always craves your attention doesn’t need you anymore.

How You Can Help Your Lazy Dog Stay Healthy And Energetic

No matter what’s the reason for this laziness and sluggishness. But this is not a good sign for your dog. Your dog needs exercise. Lack of mobility will cause a lot more problems for your dog. Walking sessions are necessary to keep your dog’s body weight in control.
So the most important thing for your dog’s health is to exercise regularly. Even if your dog tries its best to avoid it, you should not ignore walking sessions. Remember your lazy dog may be out of shape and may not be able to work out as a normal routine. You need to adjust your walk according to the condition of your dog.
A safe and healthy diet is also very important for your dog. Keep your knowledge updated. Using dog food is advised by a professional veterinarian. Take notice of the calorie intake and body fat percentage of your dog. Any imbalanced dietary item must be avoided. Take regular guidance from your veterinarian and follow his advice without any negligence. You can check some simple exercise activities for your dog in this article.

Frequently Asked Questions