It can be alarming if your dog is calm all of a sudden. Particularly if your dog doesn’t behave like this on normal days.
It’s worrisome because there could be underlying reasons for the calmness.
This article will reveal:
- When calmness is a cause for concern.
- 9 reasons why your dog is suddenly calm.
- 7 tips you can do when your dog is suddenly calm.
- And so much more…
Table of contents
Why is my dog so calm all of a sudden?
Your dog is calm all of a sudden for various reasons: injury, illness, or depression. Their weakness and lethargy can easily be mistaken as calmness. When dogs are not feeling well, they may lie around a lot. In addition, they have no desire to play as usual.
Why is my puppy so calm all of a sudden?
Your puppy is so calm all of a sudden due to the hot weather or food poisoning. Puppies with double coats prefer to lie down on the cold floor to cool down. In some cases, ingesting foods harmful to them can cause them to go weak or lethargic.
9 reasons why your dog is so calm (all of a sudden)
#1: Your dog is ill
You’ve got a very energetic dog. Then suddenly they start acting calm.
This will have your eyebrows raising, especially if your dog is usually like a tornado.
But if this is all sudden, it could be a cause for worry.
The best way to find out if it’s an illness is to observe your dog.
Here are the symptoms that your dog is ill and needs medical help:
- Gas.
- Fever.
- Circling.
- Lethargy.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Nosebleed.
- Bad breath.
- Loss of appetite.
- Strange behaviors.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Refusing to drink water.
- Urinating more frequently.
- Dragging their behind across the floor.
Some of these symptoms may seem like no big deal. But these point to underlying conditions that could have serious repercussions.
For instance, bad breath is not only an indication of improper oral hygiene. But it could also be related to problems with the liver or kidneys.
In addition, lethargy can be a sign of many diseases. Osteoarthritis, infections such as parvovirus, and metabolic diseases are just some of them.
Read next: Why Does My Dog Suddenly Have Bad Breath? 9 Reasons & Tips
#2: Your dog is injured
An injury will certainly keep your dog mellowed down.
It’s more likely the case if your dog is limping, crying, or licking a particular body part.
An injury could be a sprained ankle, broken bone, or wounds.
If you suspect your dog is injured, do a cursory glance. Take note of wounds or swelling.
Why some dogs hide the pain
Sometimes you won’t notice your dog is injured right away. That’s because dogs are notorious for being stoic.
While some dogs cry in pain, others hide away from people. This response originated from an instinct that dogs frequently used as hunting predators.
If they are injured or hurt, they hide it away. An injured animal is the most vulnerable to attacks.
Thus, they appear stoic to protect themselves.
Unfortunately, this poses challenges. For one, it’s difficult for humans to say if a dog is hurt.
And if this goes on for a long time, it can put your dog’s health at risk.
Why?
When a dog is in pain, the body releases stress-related hormones. These affect many systems in the body.
Starting with metabolism. This could lead to organs not functioning properly.
In addition, the dog is not able to get the needed sleep to heal. Thus, you end up with a stressed-out dog.
What humans think about pain sensitivity in dogs
To make matters worse, people have different perceptions regarding pain sensitivity among dogs.
This study found out that the general public believes that smaller dogs are more sensitive to pain. They also believe that dog breeds differ in pain sensitivity.
Veterinarians seem to believe the same things.
The results also showed that for the general public, heavier dogs are less sensitive to pain.
What the results suggest is that it can be a challenge to manage painful conditions in dogs.
#3: Your dog is bored
Who knows that boredom can lead to depression, stress, and bad habits in dogs?
What many pet owners fail to consider is that dogs need constant mental stimulation. Not just exercise.
There are a lot of intelligent breeds of dogs out there. Border Collies, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and so on.
Most of these dogs have been bred for jobs.
Unfortunately, they are left to their own devices most of the day. Without human interaction, a dog can be bored out of their wits.
In this research, the authors observe that animals in captivity are at risk of boredom. And boredom leads to depression.
This leads to animals developing abnormal behaviors due to lack of stimulation.
Note: To alleviate boredom, dogs resort to bad habits that become undesirable behaviors. Excessive barking, jumping, being hyper, the list goes on and on.
You might also want to know: 9 reasons why your dog is hyper in the morning & 7 reasons why your dog is so hyper at night
#4: It’s the hot weather
The hot weather can cause your dog to slow down. Particularly the breeds that are used to the cold weather.
You’ll notice them lying down more on the cold floor. Or trailing behind during walks.
Some dog breeds are at a high risk of heatstroke. These include Siberian Huskies, Chow-Chows, and dogs with thick fur.
Not only these dogs though. According to this research, brachycephalic breeds are at a high risk of heatstroke.
The brachycephalic breeds are those with short snouts. Pugs and Bulldogs belong to this breed.
Blame it on their short nose.
Their short nose makes it difficult for them to pant. And you know panting is how a dog cools down.
Heatstroke is serious, so these are the symptoms to look for:
- Seizure.
- Vomiting.
- Restlessness.
- Disorientation.
- Excessive panting.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Excessive drooling.
- Gums and tongue turning a pale color.
#5: Your dog is under the weather
Just like humans, dogs can get under the weather.
They can get cold and flu. If your dog is suddenly calm, this could be the reason why.
Cold
Dogs can get colds, too.
This is caused by several viruses. Symptoms include:
- Sneezing.
- Coughing.
- Runny nose.
- Watery eyes.
- Sleeping a lot.
Flu
Flu in dogs is more serious than cold. It can lead to mild or severe symptoms.
In mild flu, the symptoms are similar to those of a cold. But in severe flu, a dog can have a high fever, pneumonia, difficulty breathing, and weakness.
Note: Cold and flu symptoms also manifest in other serious conditions. Such as kennel cough, bronchitis, and allergies. A pet owner should not ignore these symptoms. Symptoms can be an indication of a more serious health problem.
#6: Your dog has food poisoning
You may not be aware that some foods in the pantry pose dangers to dogs.
This is one of the reasons why it’s not recommended to give dogs table scraps.
Do you know that macadamia nuts and onions are a no-no for your pooch?
Other than that, here are some foods and drinks that should under no circumstances be given to dogs:
- Garlic.
- Xylitol.
- Chives.
- Alcohol.
- Avocado.
- Chocolate.
- Salty foods.
- Bread dough.
- Grapes and raisins.
Some fruits are safe for dogs such as apples. But it’s the fruit’s pit/seeds that are dangerous because they can cause poisoning.
If your dog has food poisoning, they will show one or more of these symptoms:
- Lethargy.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Weakness.
- Depression.
- Sluggishness.
- Breathing problems.
Other foods don’t cause food poisoning but pose other threats. Such as choking from a bone or seeds.
Caution: Not all foods that humans eat are safe for dogs.
#7: Your dog is taking a flea treatment
Your dog could appear calm suddenly after taking a new flea treatment.
What you don’t know is that being calm could be lethargy or weakness. This is a side effect of the new treatment.
According to PetMD, there are insecticides used to treat fleas. These are pyrethrin and pyrethroid.
Pyrethrin is derived from the chrysanthemum plant. Pyrethroid, on the other hand, is the synthetic version.
Topical flea and tick spot-on medications expose dogs to these insecticides. These medications usually contain high concentrations of pyrethrin and pyrethroid.
Hypersensitivity to these insecticides or ingestion of large amounts can make your dog weak.
Other symptoms include twitching, difficulty walking, or crying.
#8: Your dog comes into season
When a female dog comes into season or heat, she goes through changes in behavior.
Changes are not the same for every female dog. Some dogs become aggressive when in heat.
Others become extra clingy with their owners and grumpy. And there are those female dogs that prefer to be left alone.
A pet owner shares on a forum that her dog displayed personality changes during her first heat cycle. The dog used to be outgoing and friendly.
But she preferred laying around a lot while in heat. She was also not as interested in playing as before.
A female dog’s first season can come anytime between 6 months and 2 years. They’re in heat twice a year, each season lasting about 2 to 3 weeks.
Note: Female dogs go back to their usual self when their heat is over.
#9: Your dog is depressed
Dogs, like humans, can get into a state of depression.
Canine depression can be a result of various changes, such as:
- Persistent boredom.
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
- Changes to their environment – Moving to a new house or home renovations.
- Changes to their social group – These include divorce, children moving out, or a new addition to the family. A family member or another pet dying and changes in working patterns can also affect dogs.
Here are the signs to look for in canine depression:
- Lethargic.
- Withdrawn.
- Loss of appetite.
- Behavior changes.
- Sleeping more than usual.
Check out also: 13 Reasons Why Your Dog Is Suddenly Sad + 9 Tips To Fix It
5 tips to do when your dog is suddenly calm
#1: Bring your dog to the vet asap
Not knowing what goes on in your dog can be quite nerve-wracking.
As such, find out the circumstances that could be causing their sudden calmness. And it also helps to consider other signs such as refusing to eat or drink.
If you suspect an illness, injury, or food poisoning, bring your dog to the vet asap. Your dog needs immediate medical care.
#2: Give your dog something to do
Dogs need mental stimulation on a regular basis.
This is the first step to alleviating boredom. As I’ve mentioned, boredom can lead to depression and behavioral problems.
Prevent it before it happens by teaching your dog tricks. Or by training them to do some chores around the house.
Dogs can learn to put away their toys. Some dogs are eager to do this, just like this happy pooch:
Another way to keep them busy is by giving them interactive and puzzle toys.
These not only keep them entertained. But these also help them keep their minds sharp.
This Pet Snuffle Mat is a good choice. You hide treats in the mat. Then let your dog find the treats using their sense of smell.
This is great for mental stimulation as it puts your dog’s nose to the test. Plus, it helps your dog slow down on eating.
Note: Consistent training is important when teaching your dog tricks.
#3: Give your dog plenty of water
During the warm months, protect your pooch from heatstroke and other heat-related problems.
Start by giving them plenty of fresh and clean water. If possible, place bowls of water in different areas of the house. This gives your dog easy access to water when they’re thirsty.
If outside, make sure there is plenty of shade for your pooch to rest.
Warning: Do not take your dog walking during the hottest part of the day. This is between 10am – 4pm. Have your dog exercise preferably early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
#4: Give them lots of love
Dogs going through depression can benefit from their owner’s love.
It doesn’t matter how big or small the reason for the depression is.
Remember, it may be an insignificant issue for you. But it could mean the world to your dog.
Thus, it’s important to understand what they’re going through.
Give them love by spending as much time as you can with them. If you can’t do this, have a friend or a relative accompany your dog.
It might also help to schedule playdates with other friendly dogs.
#5: Let them rest
When your dog is under the weather, let them get plenty of rest.
It’s normal that they would prefer lots of sleep. Sometimes they may not be in the mood to be active.
If it’s only the colds and flu, your dog will soon recover. But if it’s worrying you, it doesn’t hurt to consult with the vet.