Why is my dog so lazy on hot days? Is it normal if he's eating?

Dogs can handle the heat fine if they are lazy and not expending much energy. You can give him cool water with a small amount of chicken broth in it to encourage drinking, or add some water to his food. Using a fan to circulate the air may cool you both. Take him for a slow walk tonight after it cools down. It doesn't sound like there is anything wrong, he'll probably perk up when it cools down. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Houdini.

Hello. It certainly is possible that this is normal for Chi. If her eating/drinking habits have not changed, she seems well, no coughing or problems eliminating, then I would not be too concerned. But at your next veterinary visit, point out your concerns & your vet may want to do some bloodwork, including thyroid levels. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

You could try tempting Darwin to eat by offering some canned food or a different type of food, but if he also seems lethargic I'd be concerned that there might be a medical problem causing a decreased appetite. Unfortunately a decrease in appetite and lethargy are somewhat vague symptoms with many different causes. If Darwin still does not want to eat tonight or if any new symptoms develop (vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, change in urination) I would recommend seeing your veterinarian.

Hi there. While it is not abnormal for Charlie to be lethargic and behave differently when everyone leaves-this is a bit much. I would recommend taking him in to your veterinarian in case something else is going on. Pancreatitis, intoxication, and a few other diseases can start with this presentation. Shivering in dogs is often a pain response (can also be nervousness, cold, etc). If these behaviors continue I recommend taking him in as soon as you can to try to prevent it from getting worse. I hope this helps and I hope Charlie feels better soon!

Given the persistency of the signs, it is definitively best to have him checked as soon as possible as more investigations are needed at this stage (blood test for sure). Giving antipyretic can only mask the signs at this stage, delaying the diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

If he is eating and drinking well, with no vomiting or diarrhea, then it does not sound abnormal. Some dogs are just more energetic than others However, if this behavior is new, then I would consult your vet for testing. If their thyroid is low then it can lead to lethargy and may be contributing.

If it's quite hot where you are, that can explain why Snowball isn't playing as much as usual. That would be a good thing, as playing too much in the heat will lead to heat stroke, which is too often fatal. I would keep an eye on her, and make sure she stays as cool as possible. If this behavior does continue, a check up with the vet to be safe would be recommended. I hope this helps!