Moving Slowly in Dogs

Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 06/28/2017Updated: 09/09/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Michele K.
Why is my dog moving slowly?

What is Moving Slowly?

Pain, exhaustion, or lack of energy can cause a dog to move slowly. If you notice that your pet is sleeping more often, displaying slowed response to stimulation, and no longer shows interest in foods or treats he may be experiencing slow movement due to any number of underlying issues. 

  • Infection 
  • Pain
  • Parasites (Anemia)
  • Cancer

A dog’s moving slowly can be a side effect of illness or injury. While the issue may be resolved on its own, it is best to take your dog to a vet for a checkup if prolonged symptoms occur.

Why Moving Slowly Occurs in Dogs

While there are many reasons why a need to move slowly can occur in dogs, the three most common are infection, pain, and parasites. Additionally, illnesses such as cancer can contribute to this symptom. It is important to pay attention to your dog’s behavior and note any symptoms that may arise. Some minor issues can be resolved on their own within a day, however, any loss of energy or change in ability to move that is accompanied by more serious symptoms such as diarrhea or difficulty breathing will need to be addressed by a veterinarian immediately. 

Infection 

Any kind of infection might cause your dog to become lethargic or slow to move. It is of the utmost importance to get your dog to the vet in order to get the infection under control before secondary complications develop. 

Pain

If your pet is experiencing a need to move slowly due to some kind of injury it is best to monitor his behavior in order to determine the severity. Whether the injury is minor or major, if the symptoms continue for longer than 24 hours it would be best to visit your veterinarian for further diagnosis of the issue. Fractures, injuries, and damaged ligaments may cause your pet to have hindered movements.

Parasites

Fleas and ticks can cause serious issues for your dog. A severe infestation can lead to anemia, which is the loss or destruction of a large amount of red blood cells. When anemia occurs your dog will experience loss of energy, decreased appetite, and energy intolerance. In some cases, an animal may show no signs of anemia at all. While this situation can be life threatening, the more minor cases can be treated without much difficulty at all. It is extremely important to get your dog to the vet as soon as you suspect anemia may be the underlying issue to your dog’s lethargy. Quick examination can result in a quick recovery. 

Cancer

When tumors occur, they can start out inside the body or spread from somewhere else in the body. All dogs have the potential to grow such a tumor. It is extremely important to get your pet to the vet as soon as possible if any of these symptoms are seen in addition to slow movement:

  • Blood in the urine
  • Increased thirst
  • Vomiting
  • Depression

While lethargy or lack of willingness to move are not necessarily deadly symptoms, tumors can spread, so early detection of this issue is vital.

What to do if your Dog is Moving Slowly

If you notice that your dog is moving slowly and exhibits additional symptoms, the first thing you will want to do is to monitor his behavior closely. If the problem does not resolve itself within a short time, you will need to visit your veterinarian in order to seek further testing. While this symptom cannot be treated directly, treatment can be determined based on the specific underlying issue causing the slow movement.

Your veterinarian may want to order blood tests, urinalysis and a fecal evaluation in order to get an idea of your pet’s general health situation. Further diagnostic tools may be utilized, like x-rays or ultrasounds for a detailed view of muscle or bone injury.

Prevention of Moving Slowly

Because there are so many reasons why a dog moving slowly can occur, it is difficult to determine any prevention. The best thing to do is pay careful attention to your dog’s behavior in order to catch any issues in the early stages.

As well, at all times provide a nutritional food source for healthy bones and exercise for cardiac health. An annual wellness check is a good way for your veterinarian to get to know your pet’s typical behavior and demeanor; deworming and flea prevention can be kept up to date with regular clinical visits, too.

Moving Slowly Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals

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Rat Terrier

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Seven Years

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3 found this helpful

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3 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Low Energy
Minnie is very energetic every day she runs around the house and gets these hyper bursts and she follows us from room to room, especially when I’m making dinner. She was her normal self yesterday and today she’s had no energy. She’s been sleeping all day and when she attempts to walk she moves really slowly and won’t jump on the couch. She didn’t follow us around the house today and she didn’t watch me make dinner. I boiled some chicken and rice for her and she ate her serving and I gave her some bananas and oats in case she has an upset stomach.

July 23, 2020

Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM

3 Recommendations

Thank you for your question. From your description, Minnie may have hurt her back or neck, or she may have an upset stomach. Since this is such a dramatic change from her normal self, it would be a good idea to have her seen by a veterinarian today. They can examine her, see what might be causing this problem, and get treatment for her so that she feels better. I hope that all goes well for her!

July 24, 2020

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English Coonhound

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Eight Years

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3 found this helpful

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3 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Yelping, Lathargic, Tail Between Legs
For the last 9 hours, since I got home from work. My dog has yelped 4 times, is moving slowly, and keeps her tail tucked between her legs. One time I touched her stomach and she yelped. But hasn't yelped at me touching that spot again. Her stomach is not rumbling and gurgling like it has before when she's had digestive issues. I took her for a walk. And her ears perked up when I asked her "do you want to go for a walk" like I normally do. She didn't hesitate to go on the walk with me. We went around the block and she had her tail tucked the whole time but was sniffing around and used the bathroom

July 14, 2020

Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM

3 Recommendations

Thank you for your question. Your dog may be suffering from a back or neck injury, or a muscle or nerve injury. Without seeing her, unfortunately, it is difficult to say, and having her seen by a veterinarian if this problem continues would be a good idea. They will be able to examine her, see what might be hurting her or causing this, and get any medication that she may need. I hope that all goes well for her!

July 14, 2020

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