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My dog is lying down a lot and seems uncomfortable. Is he sick?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed

Why Does My Dog Lie Down a Lot and Seem Uncomfortable?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

Published on September 21st, 2016

If your dog is lying in the "prayer position" - front end down and rear end up - while acting uncomfortable, it's usually a sign of abdominal pain. It sounds like your pup isn't feeling well for some reason. You can try offering her a bland diet of plain boiled chicken and rice for today to help settle her stomach. If this doesn't help, or if she develops any other symptoms such as vomiting, not wanting to eat, or acting lethargic, then I would recommend having her examined by a vet as these can be signs of a serious GI problem such as pancreatitis.

17Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Lotus Altholtz
Veterinarian, Board-Certified Lab Animal Medicine Specialist
Published on March 5th, 2019
If Lebowski has had table food recently, it is possible he may have abdominal pain from pancreatitis/inflammation of the pancreas, which is common after dogs eat a sudden high fat (usually human food) meal. Abdominal pain typical presents as a tense abdomen/hunched posture, not wanting to lay flat. Treatment for this is usually fluid therapy (SQ or IV), a bland diet such as boiled rice and chicken for 3 days +/- anti-nausea medication. Other possible causes include back pain/a back injury or other musculoskeletal injury/sprain if he is not limping. Your vet may recommend bloodwork and abdominal X-rays to rule out bloat/a foreign body obstruction/pancreatitis depending on how he looks tomorrow. Good luck!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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