Your dog is constantly jittery and just don't want to relax? Then it is quite possible that something is wrong with your four-legged friend. Most of the reasons are relatively harmless, but there are also cases in which professional help should be sought.
In the following article you will learn The 10 most common reasons for constant restlessness know in dogs. I will also tell you 8 good and proven solutions, with which your darling can come down better.
10 reasons that the dog is restless
1. Hyperactivity
Dogs can also stay there Hyperactivity suffer. The symptoms are very similar to human ADHD: affected four-legged friends have problems concentrating, are constantly under pressure and simply do not want to be able to relax.
A Finnish study with more than 11,000 four-legged test subjects came to the conclusion that Younger male dogs in particular, who are often left alone, are particularly affected by the phenomenon. Certain breeds are also more susceptible to “canine ADHD.”
This includes:
- Cairn terriers
- German shepherd dog
- Jack Russell Terrier
- Staffordshire bull terrier.
Source: Sulkama et.al.: Canine hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention share similar demographic risk factors and behavioral comorbidities with human ADHD. Translational Psychiatry 11, 501 (2021).
Hyperactive dogs are not only constantly restless, but often also have problems with discipline; for example, they only listen poorly or irregularly to commands. Frustration in conjunction with aggressiveness or destructive behavior is also often observed.
2. The four-legged friend is underutilized
One that is very closely related to hyperactivity, but is easier to fix chronic underutilization of the dog. Every four-legged friend has to exert himself anew every day – depending on the breed and physical requirements, the amount of energy required varies significantly.
Are often affected Dogs that don't get much exercise e.g. because they are kept in a city apartment or the owner is often on the move. If these animals are in human care, they often seem very enterprising and do not want to rest – even if their owner is tired.
3. Anxiety disorders, stress & chronic nervousness
Unfortunately, many dogs are real bundles of nerves and suffer from anxiety disorders. According to a study with 3284 participants, it is mostly
- Noise sensitivity (39.2 percent of affected dogs)
- General feelings of anxiety (26.2 percent) and
- Separation anxiety (17.2 percent).
Four-legged friends suffering from such problems are often constantly restless – constant fear leads to them not being able to switch off because they always expect that they might have to defend themselves. If you have separation anxiety, your four-legged friend will always try to be close to their caregiver so as not to lose them again.
Dog trainer Steve Kaye on nervous four-legged friends. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BH51Cm6C0cE .
Strongly related to anxiety disorders constant stress. This can also be caused by other factors, such as dominant conspecifics or major changes in the daily routine.
4. Race-related character
But restlessness can also happen genetically determined be: There are some breeds that were not bred to rest, but are real work animals. These dogs then have a very strong attentiveness; they are almost constantly in “watch mode” and simply cannot calm down.
This is often the case Working animals such as guard and herding dogs, who cannot switch off. But also hunting dogs often feel the need to always be alert and to intervene at the slightest signal.
5. Parasites
Another reason for constantly restless behavior is Parasites:
- This is often the case endoparasites, which live mainly in the intestines of four-legged friends, e.g Worms and Giardia. However, these parasites can also affect other organs.
- Other pests live primarily in… Skin and fur of the dog. These include, for example Ticks, mites and fleas.
Parasites can severely weaken the four-legged friend's body and, among other things constant restlessness due to itching or cause digestive problems.
6. Strong Pains
Dogs instinctively try not to let it show when they are under severe pain suffer. In the wild, this has a very serious background: visible weakness could ultimately attract enemies and mean the death of the four-legged friend.
This behavior has persisted even today: Bei Illness, injury or chronic illness such as osteoarthritis and arthritis, the animals remain active even when everything hurts.
But that's no coincidence: In order for the dog to still be able to function, the body does a lot of pushing Stress hormones like adrenaline. This prevents the furry friends from finding peace; they are constantly under electricity.
7. Chase after Attention
If your dog is always buzzing around you for no apparent reason and doesn't want to switch off, that can also be the case psyche play a role: Four-legged friends who have to spend a lot of time alone try to compensate for this as soon as their human family is present.
Distressed dogs severely under Separation anxiety suffer, will then try not to leave their owner's side. But there are also more relaxed animals that simply have a strong urge to play and want to live it out with you: Even then, they would rather get on your skin than give you peace and quiet.
8. dementia
Unfortunately, dogs can also suffer from one Dementia disease suffer. In the case of four-legged friends, the diagnosis is then called “Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome” (CDS), the symptoms closely resemble human Alzheimer's disease.
Affected animals actually always suffer from constant restlessness: among other things circadian rhythm disrupted, The four-legged friends hardly recognize familiar surroundings and people anymore. They react accordingly anxious, stressed and irritable – all impulses that trigger restless behavior.
Dog dementia is incurable The diagnosis is made with the help of neurological examinations and questionnaires. However, with close veterinary care, it is possible to ensure that your four-legged friend's life is of much higher quality for much longer.
Other symptoms of dementia in dogs
- Dogs react significantly differently to familiar things
- Barking around for no reason whatsoever
- Depressive, listless behavior
- Dog is no longer house trained
- More appetite, begging for food.
Source: VetSpezial Center for Small Medicine, Lehrte.
9. Missing or uncomfortable retreats
Have you ever tried to relax on a sofa or a sofa that is much too small? uncomfortable mattress to rest? If so, then you've probably barely recovered.
Dogs are no different: when they… no retreats and have to sleep on the floor, for example, the animals can hardly take a relaxing break. A dog bed that is too small, too large, too soft or too hard also means that the dog can hardly get any shut eye.
Instead, the four-legged friend unintentionally prefers to stay awake: he then appears very restless.
10. Dog needs to “relieve himself”
If a dog is suddenly constantly restless, it can also have completely natural causes: It could be that the four-legged friend is simply restless «facilitate» wants to – if he is house trained, he will of course not want to do this in the house. If you do not recognize your need, he will seem restless to you.
This can also happen if you have actually just returned from a walk – for example because of Diarrhea or one Cystitis. Affected four-legged friends will often no longer be able to “hold themselves” and do their “business” in the apartment.
8 things, that you can do against constant restlessness
If your dog is constantly restless, I can understand that you are worried. But you are not alone, because many dog owners have similar experiences.
This may not be a comfort at first, but it also offers you some opportunities. Namely there is many proven solutions, which – depending on the cause – can be helpful. In the following section you will find 8 things that often work.
1. Sedatives for dogs
If a four-legged friend is constantly restless, many dog owners try to help sedatives. However, you have to be careful: psychotropic drugs are only intended for very serious cases, Medicines may only be given on the orders of the veterinarian.
However, there is also herbal solutions, that can work. They are usually free of strong side effects and allow the dog to relax without being sedated.
2. The dog relax let
An even gentler and perhaps more sensible solution is to treat the dog just relax allow. That means: you minimize stress factors, You make sure that he is not triggered unnecessarily and do everything you can to ensure that your four-legged friend feels safe and comfortable.
Of course, it is important to know what is bothering your four-legged friend and what it reacts positively to. For this you have to have yours Watch the dog closely and also think about what factors you may not even notice but can be very stressful for a pet.
Some examples of proven solutions are:
- Avoid unnecessary car or bus/train journeys
- Caresses and cuddles
- Soothing music & gentle words
- Avoiding stressful dog walks with lots of people/dominant companions
- Reducing time alone, for example with a dog sitter
- Less noise at home, e.g. through a quieter television/radio
- Creation of soundproof retreats, e.g. dog caves.
3. Feed change
It can also be used for both stress and digestive problems Feed change help. There are some special varieties for particularly susceptible four-legged friends, for example:
It can also help to adjust the feeding times: If the dog has problems settling down in the evening, it is often a good solution to schedule the last meal early, for example around 6 p.m.
4. A comfortable one “own kingdom” for the four-legged friend
Dogs like to be comfortable. Unfortunately, some owners don't understand this and buy a dog bed or basket without taking the four-legged friend's needs into account. Then it's only understandable that the animal can't calm down.
That's why you should always make sure that the dog is… comfortable “own kingdom” where he can retreat and relax. To do this, you also need to know your four-legged friend's sleeping habits.
Examples of beautiful sleep solutions
- A dog who likes to lie curled up should get a bed that is as small as possible and that he can fit into – ideally with a high edge
- If your four-legged friend likes to lie stretched out, it can also be an XXL mattress
- Animals suffering from joint problems can often be helped with an orthopedic dog bed
- If the dog likes to hide, for example under the sofa, a covered place to retreat to is also worthwhile: outdoors this is often a dog house, and in the apartment there are dog caves in particular…