Changes in a dog’s behavior that last more than a short time, such as low energy, loss of appetite, withdrawal, new aggression, changed sleep, bathroom accidents or constant whining, can signal pain or illness and justify a call to the vet. Breathing trouble, collapse, seizures, a swollen belly or repeated vomiting need emergency care immediately.
Key Takeaways
- Dogs often hide pain, so a lasting change in routine or behavior is frequently the first visible sign of a health problem.
- Short-lived changes with an obvious cause (a hot day, a busy weekend, a new visitor) often settle on their own; changes that persist or have no trigger deserve a call to the vet.
- Difficulty breathing, collapse, seizures, a bloated belly, repeated or bloody vomiting, poisoning and heavy bleeding are emergencies.
- One to two bowel movements a day is normal for an adult dog, according to the AKC; no stool for 24 to 36 hours warrants veterinary attention.
- Behavior changes in dogs over about 10 years old can also come from canine cognitive dysfunction, which a vet should assess.
For all pet owners, the scariest moments are the ones when you suddenly notice something wrong with your dog.
You might see them scoot under a table with their tail down and have no idea what’s wrong with them. Such moments are nightmares for pet owners because seeing your dog in pain is a heartrending thing, and you don’t know what to expect.
To add to this, dogs are experts in hiding their pain and discomfort, and sometimes, the only way to know something is wrong is by observing changes in their usual routine.
In this article, we’ll discuss some common changes in behavior that may indicate a trip to the veterinarian (or, at the very least, a call to one) is necessary.
Decreased Energy or Activity Levels
A sudden decrease in energy or activity levels can be a sign that something is not right with your dog. This can manifest as a lack of interest in playing, going for walks, or other activities that they normally enjoy.
Short dips in energy can be normal, especially after a busy day or in hot weather. What matters is how long the low energy lasts: persistent lethargy can be linked to conditions including anemia, dehydration and cancer, so low energy that does not lift should be checked by a vet.
Loss of Appetite or Changes in Eating Habits
Changes in your dog’s eating habits can be caused by a variety of factors, including dental problems, gastrointestinal issues, stress, and anxiety. Hormonal imbalances, pain and low mood can also reduce appetite, which is why a vet examination is the reliable way to narrow down the cause.
Once a vet has identified the cause, the vet may prescribe an appetite stimulant. Capromorelin (sold as Entyce) was approved for veterinary use in the United States in May 2016 to stimulate appetite and manage weight loss in dogs, while mirtazapine and cyproheptadine are older drugs that vets also use off-label for appetite. Prescribed pet medicines can also be filled through online pet pharmacies.
Using such websites can be helpful if, by some chance, your vet doesn’t have the medicine on hand. Many of these online pet pharmacies also have a chat box or a number you can call to get advice or help. Online advice is not a substitute for an examination; in any emergency, contact your local vet or an emergency clinic first.
Remote pharmacy and advice services were widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic, when lockdowns limited in-person access to veterinary clinics.
Lack of Interest in Socialization or Play
Dogs are naturally social creatures and enjoy spending time with their owners and other dogs. If your dog suddenly loses interest in socializing or playing, it may be a sign of an underlying health issue.
Lack of interest in socializing or playing may be caused by physical problems, such as pain or discomfort, which can cause dogs to lose interest in socializing or playing. If a dog is in pain, it may become less active and less interested in interacting with others.
For example, a dog with arthritis may have difficulty playing or going for walks and may become less inclined to engage in social activities.
Emotional issues, such as stress or anxiety, can also cause a dog to lose interest in socializing or playing. Dogs can also become stressed or anxious due to changes in their environment, such as moving to a new home, a new family member, or the loss of a companion. This can cause them to become withdrawn, anxious, or less interested in socializing or playing.
If the withdrawal lasts, or starts to affect eating, sleeping or movement, seek advice from your vet.
Increased Aggression or Irritability
A sudden change in behavior, such as increased aggression or irritability, may be caused by pain, discomfort, and environmental factors. Such behaviors can also occur when a dog is fearful or frustrated by something.
For example, if you haven’t been walking or exercising your dog for the last few days, they can get frustrated because they wish to expel their excess energy and have no outlet.
Similarly, new visitors or pets in the home may cause them to feel threatened, which can also cause aggression and irritability. Aggression that persists with no visible trigger, or appears suddenly in a previously calm dog, is a reason to talk to your vet, because pain and discomfort can sit behind it.
Lethargy or Depression
Sometimes you may notice that your dog doesn’t want to get up. This is normal to a certain extent. There are many times when nothing is wrong with even us humans, but we still feel a bit off and want to stay in bed. The same is true for dogs.
Depression is also something that affects dogs, and it can be very sad to witness. Spend some more time with your dog and give them extra attention and love.
If you notice the symptoms persisting to such an extent that they refuse to move for long periods and they start to ignore their favorite food, treats, and toys that normally got their attention, this is a cause of concern, and you should get it checked out as soon as possible.
Change in Sleep Patterns
Changes in sleep patterns are not always dangerous, because many harmless factors can cause them.
Changes in the weather, water intake, hormones, diet, and even aging are all factors that can cause some dogs to switch things up and get more active during the night or sleep for most of the day.
Healthy adult dogs commonly sleep somewhere between about 8 and 14 hours a day. The Sleep Foundation puts the adult range at 8 to 13.5 hours, with an average of just under 11 hours, while other dog-care sources cite 12 to 14 hours; puppies need at least 11 hours, and senior dogs tend to nap more during the day. However, a sudden change in sleep habits, especially alongside lethargy, appetite changes or unusual behavior, is worth a call to your vet. In older dogs, night-time restlessness combined with daytime sleeping can be one sign of canine cognitive dysfunction.
Sudden Change in Bathroom Habits
According to the American Kennel Club’s chief veterinary officer, one to two bowel movements a day is normal for an adult dog, dogs on high-fiber diets may go up to three times a day, and puppies go more often, often after a meal. Frequency is but one aspect to track. You should also keep an eye on their stool consistency and tendencies of sudden accidents, such as going number one or number two in the house.
Such issues could be caused by dietary changes, over or under-stimulation, age, and medical conditions. If a change does not settle quickly, consult your vet, and call promptly if your dog has not passed stool for 24 to 36 hours or shows straining, blood in the stool, vomiting or lethargy, as the AKC advises.
Excessive Barking or Whining
Dogs bark for a number of reasons, and they also have several types of barks.
Some barks are caused by pain and distress, while others are used as warnings for intruders or threats. The need for attention and affection also causes dogs to bark.
As for whining, dogs make these sad sounds when they want something or are scared and stressed out.
In a circumstance where you are able to easily detect the cause of such behavior, a vet trip may not be required. However, if you find that they are continuing to bark and whine for seemingly no cause and you are unable to help them, then yes, consult your vet as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Even though these moments feel scary, many mild, short-lived changes settle on their own. Veterinary organizations still advise that any real concern about a pet’s health warrants at least a phone call to a veterinarian.
Technology has made it easy for people to make a quick video call so that vets can visually see the symptoms and offer advice.
This can be a great boon in situations where you want to avoid stressing out your dog even more.
Even if you notice strange or unusual behavior, try not to panic too much.
Dogs can pick up on emotions very well, and any stress that you express only makes them more anxious and worried in turn.
Remember to avoid patting, touching, or going too close to them when they seem to be in pain. There is a chance they can snap at you in an unexpected way when they are going through distress.
Until you find out what the reason for their unusual behavior is, try to stay positive and give your dog some space until your vet can make a diagnosis.
When Is a Behavior Change an Emergency?
A behavior change becomes an emergency when it comes with signs that a dog’s breathing, circulation or nervous system is affected. A list of emergency signs published by veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker on Vetstreet says the following need to be seen at once, without waiting to see whether they improve:
- Difficulty breathing: rapid or labored breathing, straining or gasping for air.
- Collapse or loss of consciousness: possible causes include dehydration, heat stroke, poisoning, shock and heart problems.
- Seizures: especially a seizure lasting more than five minutes or several in quick succession.
- A bloated or enlarged belly: this can mean gastric dilatation or volvulus (bloat), which is life-threatening.
- Severe vomiting: repeated or forceful vomiting, or vomit containing blood or dark material.
- Bloody or black, tarry diarrhea: particularly if it persists or comes with weakness.
- Known or suspected poisoning, heavy bleeding, eye injuries, sudden lameness or paralysis, and straining to urinate or defecate.
- Any trauma: a dog hit by a car or injured in a fall should be checked even if it seems fine.
Watch, Call or Go: A Quick Decision Table
The table below groups the eight behavior changes in this article by how quickly they usually need attention. It is a general guide based on the veterinary sources above, not a diagnosis; when in doubt, call your vet.
| What you notice | Usually fine to watch at home | Call your vet | Go to an emergency clinic now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low energy | Tired after exercise or heat, back to normal the next day | Low energy that does not lift | Collapse, fainting or unresponsiveness |
| Appetite | Skips one meal but drinks and acts normally | Ongoing poor appetite or weight loss | Refusing food with repeated vomiting or a swollen belly |
| Socializing and play | Quieter after a known change, such as a move | Withdrawal that lasts or affects eating and sleep | Withdrawal with signs of severe pain |
| Aggression or irritability | Clear, avoidable trigger | New aggression with no visible trigger | Aggression after an injury or with obvious pain |
| Sleep | Within the usual range for the dog’s age | Sudden change, or night restlessness in an older dog | Cannot be woken normally |
| Bathroom habits | One loose stool after a diet change | No stool for 24 to 36 hours, or repeated accidents | Straining with nothing passing, or bloody or black stool |
| Barking or whining | Cause is obvious and easily resolved | Ongoing whining with no clear cause | Crying out when touched or moved |
Could Behavior Changes in an Older Dog Be Canine Cognitive Dysfunction?
Canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) is an age-related brain condition in dogs that resembles dementia in people, and it mostly appears after about 10 years of age. Typical signs include disorientation in familiar rooms, less interest in petting or play, restlessness at night with more sleeping during the day, house-soiling in a previously trained dog, and reduced response to sounds and people.
Because thyroid disorders, Cushing’s disease, diabetes, kidney disease, musculoskeletal disease and sensory loss can cause similar changes, a vet needs to rule out medical causes before CCD is diagnosed. There is no cure for CCD, but treatment can help manage the signs, so it is worth raising early.
How to Track Behavior Changes Before a Vet Visit
A short written record helps a vet far more than a general impression that a dog seems off. Useful steps:
- Note when the change started and whether anything changed at the same time, such as food, routine, visitors or a move.
- Record eating, drinking and bathroom habits for a few days, including stool consistency and color.
- Film the behavior on a phone, especially limping, odd breathing, seizures or episodes that stop before the appointment.
- Check for obvious causes gently, such as swelling, cuts or a sore paw, without handling a dog that seems to be in pain.
- List any medicines or supplements and anything the dog may have chewed or eaten.
Routine care also makes problems easier to spot early. A consistent diet, covered in the guide to smarter, healthier feeding choices for pets, and regular exercise such as running safely with your dog give a stable baseline to compare against. Destructive habits are often a boredom issue rather than a medical one; see these tips to stop a dog from chewing things. Because emergency visits can be costly, some owners also review what to look for in pet insurance and compare pet insurance companies in the USA before they need them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my dog’s behavior change is serious?
A dog’s behavior change is more likely to be serious when it lasts, has no obvious trigger, or comes with physical signs such as vomiting, breathing changes, limping or not eating. Breathing difficulty, collapse, seizures and a swollen belly are emergencies.
Can pain cause sudden behavior changes in dogs?
Yes. Pain is a common cause of sudden irritability, aggression, withdrawal and reluctance to play or walk, because dogs often hide discomfort. Conditions such as arthritis can make a dog less active and less sociable.
How many hours a day should an adult dog sleep?
Most healthy adult dogs sleep about 8 to 14 hours a day. The Sleep Foundation gives 8 to 13.5 hours, with an average just under 11, while puppies need at least 11 hours and senior dogs nap more.
How often should a dog poop?
An adult dog normally has one to two bowel movements a day, and up to three on a high-fiber diet, according to the American Kennel Club. Puppies go more often. No stool for 24 to 36 hours warrants a call to the vet.
Why is my older dog acting confused at night?
Night-time restlessness, confusion in familiar places and daytime sleeping in a dog over about 10 can be signs of canine cognitive dysfunction. Medical problems such as thyroid or kidney disease can look similar, so a vet should examine the dog.
Is a video call with a vet enough?
A video consultation can help a vet judge how urgent a problem is and give advice, but it cannot replace a hands-on examination or tests. Emergencies need to be seen in person straight away.
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