If dogs suddenly seem tired and sad, this could be a sign of poisoning or depression. Under certain circumstances, the lethargic behavior can also be due to dementia, allergies, viral infections, an underactive thyroid or other pain.
In principle, there are physical as well as psychological reasons for this. There is particular reason for concern if the dog constantly appears weak and listless.
Below you will learn about the 8 most common causes, their symptoms and what to do in specific cases.
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#1 Poisoning
Even if it seems otherwise in the news, in practice poisoned baits are very rarely responsible for poisoning. In most cases, owners poison their dogs themselves.
However, not on purpose. In fact, many inexperienced first-time owners assume that all commercially available foods must also be healthy for dogs.
This error can even be fatal under certain circumstances. For example, onions, chocolate, grapes, garlic, avocados, walnuts and cocoa are toxic for dogs. [1]
Poisoning can usually be recognized by the dog being unusually tired, refusing to eat, appearing sad and withdrawing into its basket. Other symptoms include:
- Sudden vomiting
- Dog is shaking
- Restless behavior
- Dog runs around at night
- Depressive behavior
- Breathing problems
- Loss of appetite and listlessness [2]
Depending on the type and amount of toxins, the symptoms can vary. In addition to food, poisonous plants, alcohol or medication can also be behind it.
In serious cases, poisoning can cause significant liver and kidney damage or even be fatal. Here you should consult the vet immediately.
Poisoned dogs usually appear tired and sad because their entire organism is busy fighting the toxins. This can be recognized, among other things, by the fact that the dog refuses food and generally appears very listless.
#2 Depression
Dogs can struggle with depression just like people. Unlike us, however, they cannot tell us this.
For this reason, it is often the case in practice that underlying illnesses and pain are confused with depression. Because the symptoms are similar:
- listlessness
- Dog licks his paws
- Sad look
- Dog sleeps a lot
- Sudden hair loss
- Avoiding social interactions
- Constant tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Sudden irritability [3]
In most cases, this is due to a lack of workload or lack of attention. Because that is one of their basic needs. Other causes are:
- Another pet
- Chronic pain
- New baby
- Keeping working breeds in large cities
- Depressed master
- Loss of a family member
- Traumatic experience [4]
In 8 out of 10 cases, more affection and increased physical and mental activity are enough to cheer the dog up again.
In addition, new toys, sunshine, spending time outside and good quality food can also improve mood. Medication is only the last option here.
Depressed dogs often act unusually tired and sad. In most cases, affected dogs avoid all social interaction, sleep excessively, and have no appetite. More attention and utilization are usually the key to this.
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#3 Dementia
In old age, up to 40% of all people suffer from dementia. For dogs it's even a whopping 68%. Even from the age of 11 onwards, ⅓ of all dogs are affected. [5]
The primary triggers for the listless behavior here are fear and confusion. Because your memory is diminishing, everything suddenly seems strange and unfamiliar.
Dementia can usually be recognized by the dog suddenly becoming active at night, staring at walls, avoiding social interactions and appearing disoriented. Other symptoms include:
- Fearful impression
- Constant tiredness
- Sad and depressed look
- Dog behaves strangely
- Repetitive behavior
- Sudden incontinence
- Dog ignores commands
- Unusual sounds [6]
There is currently no cure for this. However, by promoting mental performance, the spread of the disease can be slowed down.
Such an intelligence toy is ideal for this. In addition, the amount of attention should be increased to counteract the accompanying fear.
Demented dogs appear increasingly listless, tired, depressed and sad. Old dogs over the age of 10 are particularly affected. Other typical symptoms include sudden incontinence and a general listlessness.
#4 Allergies
If you have allergies, remember the 20-2 rule for dogs. Around 20% of all dogs are said to suffer from it and 2% are said to even have allergic reactions to certain foods.
It becomes a problem when the triggers – so-called “allergens” – cannot be removed. Typical examples of these are:
- Home fragrances and perfumes
- Parasites such as fleas and mites
- Chemical substances & pesticides
- Grasses, leaves and pollen
- Insecticides & Insect Bites [7]
Food allergies, on the other hand, are usually triggered by dairy products, soy, gluten or certain proteins. Typical symptoms of this are:
- Constant sneezing
- Skin redness and swelling
- Dog looks tired and sad
- Runny nose
- Dog is breathing heavily
- Severe itching
- Rattling when breathing
- Sudden cough [8]
If you suspect food allergies, I recommend doing a free food check. You will then receive individual food recommendations.
You will also receive a free box full of food samples so you can try out the recommendations yourself. If you have other allergies, I recommend doing an allergy test.
Because there is no cure for allergies. Therefore, it is imperative to find out about the potential allergens for prevention. [9]
When dogs suffer from chronic allergies, this can manifest itself in, among other things, heavy breathing, constant tiredness and unusual sadness. Swelling, redness, constant sneezing and itching are also common symptoms.
#5 Hypothyroidism
The thyroid is a nut-sized gland located in the dog's neck. Your task? Produce thyroid hormones that stimulate metabolism.
If too few of these hormones are produced, this can also result in severe tiredness, listlessness and listlessness. Other symptoms include:
- Dog sleeps a lot
- Sudden weight gain
- Dog looks sad
- Slow heartbeat
- Unusual hair loss
- Dog gets cold easily
- Lack of energy [10]
In most cases, genes, infections or even tumor diseases are responsible for thyroid function. It most commonly occurs in the following breeds:
- Doberman
- Golden retrievers
- dachshund
- German boxer
- Siberian Husky
- Irish Red Setters
- American Cocker Spaniel
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Airedale Terriers [11]
The cause determines whether the disease can be cured or not. If the genes are responsible for this, it is usually treated with medication.
An underactive thyroid can cause dogs to be constantly tired, appear sad and generally very lethargic. It is also noticeable that the fur of affected dogs becomes thinner, they lose more hair and, in comparison, freeze significantly faster.
#6 Viral infection
Viruses are one of the top three causes of death in dogs, after cancer and injuries. Here the fatigue is due to the immune system fighting the virus.
For this reason, significantly less energy is left for other physical activities. Well-known and sometimes life-threatening viruses are:
- distemper
- Hepatitis Contagiosa Canis
- Influenza virus
- Parvovirus
- Leptospirosis
- rabies [12]
There is already a vaccine against the majority of these viruses. This explains why strays and unvaccinated puppies in particular have to struggle with this.
Affected dogs usually develop a fever, vomit suddenly, cough constantly, breathe heavily and appear listless. Other typical symptoms include:
- Runny nose
- Dog refuses food
- Depressive behavior
- Trembling at rest
- Dog looks sad
- Lack of energy
- Sudden cramps
- Dog sleeps a lot [13]
If it's just a cold, the dog will usually heal itself. However, if the virus is more serious, I recommend visiting the vet as a precaution.
Various viruses can affect dog behavior. Affected four-legged friends are often very tired, appear sad and have a lack of energy. That's because much of their daily energy goes into fighting the virus.
#7 Pain
Pain is one of the most common causes of sudden behavior change in dogs. Because unlike humans, dogs cannot communicate.
In younger dogs, pain is usually caused by injuries, while in older dogs the pain is usually caused by arthritis.
Since dogs are descended from wolves, they always try to hide existing pain. Weakened animals are often the prey of other predators in the wild.
Arthritis is a chronic inflammation of the joints and, according to studies, affects over 20% of all four-legged friends. [13] The most common symptoms here include:
- Moaning when lying down
- Dog looks sad
- Swollen joints
- Dog goes wrong
- Constant licking of the joints
- Dog seems tired
- Dog avoids stairs [14]
Although there is no cure, the symptoms can be easily treated. Because movements here are usually painful, affected four-legged friends also sleep a lot.
But other injuries can also manifest themselves in depressive behavior. Typical triggers for this are:
- Herniated disc
- Car accidents
- Thorns in the skin
- Fight with another dog
- Splinter in the paw [15]
If you suspect pain, I advise you to see the vet immediately. Since dogs have a high tolerance for pain, it is usually something more serious.
When dogs are struggling with pain, they usually appear distant, sad and lethargic. They often avoid any movement, sleep a lot and appear tired. It is important to be proactive and identify the causes.
#8 Anemia
Many laypeople incorrectly assume that dogs with anemia have too little blood. In reality, this means a reduced number of red…