My dog is sluggish after moving. How to ease stress and boost energy?

I am so sorry for all that you guys are going through! Such stress is hard on everyone, regardless of 2 legs or 4. However, the difference is, you KNOW why you're stressed and why you're moving and why everything is in upheaval, and all Matel knows is that every thing changed and her people seem upset. The most important thing is to make sure that her needs continue to be reliably met-- food offered at the same time, water always available, maybe a routine daily walk stays intact. Additionally, make time to do things she likes to do... play with her and her toys, try to get her playing, etc. This is good stress relief for everyone; if she sees you and your wife having fun and trying to engage her, that will reassure her that, "oh, its going to be ok. They are ok!" As things settle down, she will likely come around to her old self. There are medications that can be helpful for dogs, though usually dogs don't develop clinical depression the way that people do. These drugs in dogs tend to be more helpful for anxiety. However, if she's not coming around, talk to your vet about trying medication. Massage can also be helpful, soothing, and can promote good feelings and bonding. Here's a great video about canine massage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tghk42R0QHU&t=9s I'm so glad you guys are safe. Best wishes to you all! Thank you for asking PetCoach!

Dogs have anxiety and stress just like we do. Give her time, lots of attention, and she should adjust just fine. In severe cases of anxiety I use anti-anxiety medications off-label like Lorazepam that you can get from your veterinarian.

I'm glad to hear that Bentley is still playful and acting normally, even though he hasn't been eating and drinking normally. It is possible that both the stress of leaving his sister and your family, as well as moving to a new home may be contributing to his change in appetite. You can try tempting him to eat with a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken and white rice for a few days (1.5 cups per day, divided into smaller meals). After a few days, transition to his normal dog food by mixing the two foods together over another 5-7 days. It may also be worth looking into calming pheromone collars or diffusers (Adaptil is one example - https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/dog/dog-health-and-wellness/dog-calming-aids/adaptil-adjustable-calming-dog-collar) to try to help Bentley's stress level. If he still refuses to eat in a few days, it is worth a trip to the vet to assure that there aren't bigger medical problems occurring. I hope this helps and that all goes well!

It could be that Shadow played a lot while at your girlfriend's house, and the excitement of going to a new place and then back home may have tired her out. Given that this lethargy just started today, I wouldn't be too concerned just yet. Keep an eye on her, and if she is still acting this way after 24 hours or she develops other signs such as not eating, vomiting, and refusing to drink water, then I would be concerned. At that point, I would take her into the vet for a health check. Good luck, I hope this helps!

It will probably take some time to adjust to his new environment. You could try an Adaptil collar and Solliquin chews to see if that helps relieve some of the anxiety and stress he may be experiencing. https://www.adaptil.com/us#redirected http://www.solliquin.com/

Hello! If often takes some time for a pet to adjust to their brand new home and family. Most dogs need a few weeks to become confident and comfortable in their new environment. It would be helpful to know exactly what she is doing that is causing you to be concerned though. If you'd like to resubmit a question describing the possibly depressed or adjusting behavior (ie. hiding, pacing, licking, chewing, growling), I may be able to better advise. I hope this is helpful! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! While this can be due to the move, I am suspicious that this could also be something else as it has been a bit longer than expected. Loss of appetite and lethargy can be observed with many conditions such as gastroenteritis, dietary indiscretion, kidney disease, pancreatitis, among many other possibilities. I recommend that you have Ginger evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check for these possibilities and others depending on the findings on exam. Treatment would be based on findings. Good luck and have a great day! Hoping for a speedy recovery!