My dog is suddenly clingy, hides, and won't eat. What's wrong?

Hello, and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Your description sounds most suspicious of generalized anxiety. There may have been something that spooked your dog recently to cause the behavior change, making him want to be near you all the time and causing him to seek reassurance. However, given his breed, it's also possible that he's just got too much pent-up energy - many high energy breeds can develop either anxiety or boredom if they aren't given an outlet for their energy and a way to tire themselves out. I recommend making sure your dog has a way to RUN his energy off daily. (with his breed and age, a walk probably won't cut it). You can take him running, or if he's ball motivated, throwing a ball is a great option to get him running. Fenced in dog parks are good options too. If tiring him out doesn't help reduce his clingy behaviors, I recommend consulting your vet and having them do a physical exam and likely some screening bloodwork. Sometimes panting, whining, and being generally clingy are the dog's way of telling us that something's not right, which can be the first sign of a disease or health problem. I hope this helps!

HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! There can be multiple reasons for a dog to suddenly act clingy: fear, separation anxiety, and medical conditions. Medical conditions could be: pain, anal gland issues, fleas, overall nausea from kidney or liver disease, brain tumor or as some dogs age they develop cognitive dysfunction or doggie dementia. If Snicker's behavior persists then I recommend an exam and possibly blood work be done by your Vet. Sadly his symptoms are non-specific and can mean many different things. I hope this helps and I wish you and Sage the best!

I'm not sure I'm understanding. So there are three dogs total and two of the dogs are clinging to one dog? This type of behavior could be related to something like anxiety or one of the dogs could be in pain and the other dog is feeding off of it's energy. Since the dogs can't talk and tell you what is happening, I recommend to have the dogs examined by the veterinarian who will check for evidence of pain on the physical exam. They may also check a urine sample or the anal glands as well. Look for sources of anxiety such as construction or children teasing the dogs. Thunder jackets, medication, heavy daily exercise and pheromone diffusers may all help to relieve anxiety. Since they can't talk, it's best to play it safe. Best of luck.

Hi! Poor Teddy Bear! That sounds pretty awful. It is definitely possible that he is getting into something; a drug, or medicine. Dogs will eat literally anything! Would you be able to have him checked out by his vet while he is having the symptoms? If possible, submit a urine sample, in case they are able to run a drug test (some clinics carry drug tests, to look for narcotics, etc). Take a look in the yard, to see if there are any plants that he has gotten into, as well. Poor guy really seems as if he needs some help! Hope he feels better soon!

Hello. These are pretty vague signs, but could be an indication of some pain, such as an inflamed intervertebral disc, or impending infection. If these symptoms persist or progress into loss of appetite, lethargy, excessive panting or tremors, please see your veterinarian as soon as possible. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Any abrupt change in behavior without a known cause should be investigated by your vet as soon as possible. Sometimes this is the only sign we get of a medical condition. The behavior could be due to feeling ill, being in pain or may be because of a developing neurological condition. Your vet will do an exam, labwork and possibly some diagnostic imaging, x-rays or ultrasound to determine the cause for your pet's change in behavior and, based on the results, will be better able to advise you on treatment options.

Poor Littlebit! Is there a scary or traumatic even that could have happened a few months ago that could have changed his behavior? Or a change in the household (new people, kids now crawling/walking, new pets, construction, etc) or household routines (you're home more or less than normal, change in work schedule, etc)? All of these things could cause a little anxiety or neediness. You could try to give her some Benadryl to see if this calms her. You could also do a pheromone calming collar like adaptil. If this does not help, I would talk to your vet about looking at her to ensure nothing else is going on and possbily starting her on an anti-anxiety medicine. I hope this helps and she starts to feel better really soon.!