If you’re a pet owner, then you know how important it is to provide excellent care for your four-legged friends. When your furry companions are feeling healthy, they often have bright eyes and playful personalities.
But when something is amiss, the signs can be subtle. It’s not always easy for owners to tell if their pet is sick, tired, or even lethargic! With that in mind, here are six ways to tell if your pet isn’t feeling well or maybe overly tired.
A Sluggish Pet Is Sleepier Than Usual and Lacks the Alertness
If the lethargy is severe, your pet may not be moving around as much as usual or lying down when it’s not bedtime. It may also appear dazed or seem to have trouble focusing its eyes on you.
If your pet has been sluggish for several days, it can be a sign of an underlying health problem, so make sure to talk with your vet about what’s going on!
Lethargy Can Be a Symptom of Many Things, Including Disease or Psychological Factors
The first thing to do when you notice your pet is sluggish, sleepy, and tired is to rule out the medical causes. Many things can cause lethargy in a dog or cat, physical illness, cancer, kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and even skin conditions.
Your pet could be showing signs of lethargy combined with other symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea, having trouble breathing, urinating, or defecating. It could also have an open wound on the body that is draining pus or another liquid, has swelling of any part of their body, seems to be in pain when they move around, has trouble walking normally (they limp), etc., they should be taken to the veterinarian immediately. Many of these issues can be taken care of with PetCareRx medicines.
While it may seem obvious that lethargy could be caused by something as simple as being sick or having an injury, this isn’t always true! Just because one symptom appears doesn’t mean there aren’t others lurking beneath the surface.
If Your Pet Suddenly Becomes Lethargic, Contact Your Veterinarian
If your pet suddenly becomes lethargic or there is a change in your pet’s activity level may be a sign that something is wrong. If you notice changes in the way your cat or dog acts, it’s important to take them to the vet as soon as possible.
A Sick Pet May Lack Interest in Playing or Going For Walks
A sick pet may not be interested in playing or going for walks.
If your pet is too tired to play, it could mean that he/she is getting sick. If your pet isn’t up for a walk and doesn’t even want to eat or drink water, then that might be another sign of illness.
If the animal seems to have lost interest in sleeping as well, it could indicate that something else is wrong with it.
A Sick Pet May Not Groom Itself as Much as Usual
If your pet is not grooming itself, it could be a sign that the animal is not feeling well. Grooming is a natural way to keep clean and healthy, as well as mark territory.
Pets also groom when they are showing affection towards others, or cooling off after being outdoors in the heat. If you notice changes in your pet’s behavior, consult with your veterinarian for more information about what’s going on with your furry friend.
Your Pet May Seem Unusually Disinterested in Food and Water
It’s important to remember that disinterest in food and water isn’t always a sign of illness. Sometimes, your pet may be acting out of character because he or she is experiencing psychological problems.
If you notice your pet’s behavior has changed and there are no other signs of illness, it could be that the change was caused by something else. For example:
- A change in diet can cause a lack of appetite. If you recently switched brands, try switching back to a previous brand for two or three days before introducing another new one.
- Your cat might have dental issues, which could make eating painful for him or her. If this is the case, take him/her to see his vet immediately!
You May Notice a Change in Appetite or Thirst, Smell or Taste
Some pets may not want to eat or drink when they are tired. If your pet’s eating habits have changed, it could be an indication that they are sleepy and tired.
If you notice changes in your pet’s normal eating or drinking patterns, this could be caused by the lethargy that results from sleepiness.
Sluggish Pets Often Have an Illness That Needs Medical Attention
If your pet is lethargic and sleepy, it may be a sign that they are unwell. If this is happening, it’s important to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Your vet will likely want to run some tests on your pet to determine what the issue is.
If you notice that your dog or cat seems more sluggish than usual, there are a few things you can do at home before taking them for a checkup at the vet:
- Make sure that they have plenty of fresh water and food available all day long. This encourages them to get up and get moving!
- Bathe them or use a damp cloth on their fur/skin so that he/she doesn’t overheat from being too hot under blankets when trying to sleep during summertime nights when temperatures may reach upwards of 100 degrees Fahrenheit outside.
- Give treats such as tuna fish or cooked chicken breast with gravy sprinkled on top since these foods contain tryptophan which helps induce sleepiness. Just don’t give too much because then side effects include digestion problems later down the road after eating too much meat products.
If you notice any of these signs in your pet, contact your veterinarian. Even if it turns out that nothing is wrong, it’s always better to be safe than sorry!