- Home
- Dog Symptoms
- Why is My Dog Restless?
Why is My Dog Restless?
What is Restlessness in Dogs?
Sometimes, your dog will pace or seem restless to get your attention. Excitement usually accompanies this type of restless. As a pet owner, you know what your dog’s normal behavior is like so you can spot his out of character restlessness when it occurs. Restlessness in your dog may include pacing or circling, repeatedly adjusting his position and changes in sleep patterns. You will want to know the cause of your dog unsettled behavior. There are several potential reasons for restless from behavioral to medical conditions. Some of the more common reasons include:
- Separation anxiety (behavioral)
- Phobias (behavioral)
- Fleas and ticks
- Tapeworms
- Poisoning
- Cushing’s Disease
While some restlessness is behavioral, it is important to rule out any medical reasons for your dog’s unsettled behavior.
Why Restlessness Occurs in Dogs
Out of the ordinary, restless behavior in your dog may indicate some levels of pain, health issues, or anxiety. Most people can determine if the nature of the problem is behavioral or medical.
Separation Anxiety
Dogs sometimes develop overly attached bonds to their people, and when you leave your dog, he may become restless. Separation anxiety can lead to destructive behaviors, over vocalization, or house soiling and typically manifest with the first 15 to 30 minutes after leaving your dog.
Phobias and Fears
Phobias and fears as the cause of restless behavior are easier to spot because something usually triggers your dog’s restlessness. Phobias are an exaggerated fear, and your dog may tuck his tail under, pant excessively, pace, or cry when his phobia is triggered. Loud noises, such as thunder, fireworks, or gunshots usually trigger phobias.
Fleas and Ticks
Fleas and ticks are small parasites that bite and feed on your dog’s blood and can be very uncomfortable for your dog. If your dog has a flea infestation, he will intensely scratch and lick his skin to help relieve the itching. Ticks, on the other hand, use their mouths to attach themselves to your dog and draw blood from him. Ticks may carry infectious disease and further harm your dog beyond the irritation that leads to restless behaviors.
Tapeworms
Tapeworms are intestinal parasitic worms with flat heads and are common in dogs of all ages. Tapeworms are not a serious threat to your dog but may lead to intestinal blockages. Puppies are more susceptible to the harmful effects a tapeworm as it can result in slow growth and anemia in your puppy. The most common tapeworm in dogs is a flea tapeworm and may develop after your dog ingests fleas.
Toxin and Poison Ingestion
There are potential toxins and poisons your dog may have an opportunity to ingest throughout his day, and some may not seem likely. A common poison for dogs that we often forget is chocolate. Consuming chocolate can lead to restless behavior, excessive panting, and agitation in your dog. The clinical signs of chocolate poisoning can occur within the first few hours of ingestion and can last for days. You will usually know if your dog has eaten chocolate because he leaves the evidence behind, such as candy wrappers and boxes.
Cushing’s Disease
Cushing’s disease occurs when the endocrine glands can no longer produce the correct levels of cortisol in your dog. Cortisol production occurs to help suppress inflammation and can trigger during moments of stress in your dog’s life. Cushing’s is an overproduction of cortisol and can be triggered by pituitary gland (grown gland) damage, adrenal tumors, or over treating with anti-inflammatory corticosteroids.
What to do if your Dog is Restless
If your dog’s restlessness is abnormal, you must determine if the response is behavioral or medical and you should seek a veterinarian’s advice. You can lessen anxiety and fear over time with reinforcement-based training and should ask for help from a trainer or your vet for the best course of action. Sedative and anti-anxiety medications can also be administered to help an adjusting pet but will not solve your dog’s behavior-related restlessness.
If your dog is in pain or his restlessness is due to a medical condition, your veterinarian will be able to determine the cause. If fleas or ticks are the cause of your dog’s unease, you much follow your vet’s instructions with care to get rid of the parasites. Tapeworm treatments are very effective if your dog is diagnosed with a worm parasite and your veterinarian will prescribe a dewormer medication.
The treatment for ingesting a toxin or poison, such as chocolate, will depend on how quickly you catch the ingestion and get your dog to the veterinarian. At the vet, your dog may be induced to vomit to remove the chocolate from his stomach. Absorbents, such as charcoal, may also be used to help absorb the toxins. Many times other treatments are given to support the removal of toxins, such as interventions fluid therapy and beta-blockers to help reduce the heart rate.
For more severe conditions, such as Cushing’s, your dog may have to undergo surgery or radiation therapy as well as use medication to help control the adrenal glands.
Prevention of Restlessness in Dogs
Training and positive reinforcement can go a long way in preventing anxiety and fear from developing in your dog. A loving and comfortable home is always the best environment for your dog to grow and be happy. You can prevent medical-related restlessness caused by fleas and ticks by proper grooming techniques and learning how to spot and remove ticks. Avoiding tall grassy areas will also prevent ticks from coming into contact with your dog.
Several common household products and plants may affect your dog’s health and make him restless. Knowing what is unsafe for you dog and keeping it away from him will help prevent potential poisoning.
As your dog ages, he may develop diseases that lead to restless behavior; however, you can prevent chemically induced physiological responses by limiting unnecessary medications. Overuse of anti-inflammatory medications are one such drug that may lead to Cushing’s disease; therefore, you should always consult with your veterinarian before administering any medication.
Cost of Restlessness in Dogs
Treatment cost for restless behavior will depend on the underlying cause. For example, treatment for fleas can cost $300 whereas treatment for Cushing’s may cost $2,000.
Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?
Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.
Restless Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Boykin Spaniel
Eight Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
See Description
Pup restless, won’t settle down or sleep after spending hrs today fetching in saline pool. Itching, licking privates, had an accident in the house & Noticed food consumption slowed over last few weeks.
July 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
It does sounds like your dog is restless and out of sorts. If this has been going on for a few weeks, it would probably be best to have him/her seen by a veterinarian. They will be able to examine your pup, see what might be going on, and give treatment.
I hope that all goes well for you pup!
July 27, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Mix
Brendie
5 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Restless Not Eating
I have a female dog Brendie and she has recently stopped eating anything but treats, also she is restless and lays in one place and can not get comfortable and constantly moves. going to the bathroom is normal but she has thrown up 2 times that we know of in a week of this happening with no blood just yellow. Any help would be appreciated.
Sept. 23, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
Chihuahua
Bandit
3 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Restless
My dog is acting strange, standing in the hallway staring at me, lays down and then gets up. He usually is settled but tonight he has been restless for the past few hours. About 10 hours ago he managed to snatch the last few sips of my instant coffee when I wasn't looking, about 10mls? But has also started on new food in the past 24 hours. Could it be either of these things? Is there anything I can do to make him settle?
May 23, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
If Bandit is restless and not settling, it may be due to the coffee that he ate. If he does not settle down in the next few hours, it would be best to have him examined, but if he had a few sips of coffee, I can see that being a reason for him being restless.
May 23, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
Maltese
Bubbles
6 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
Hi ive got a small maltese that is beeing walking around my lounge up and down from yesturday "sunday" afternoon with her nose up in the air if she can smell something and her tail is down and keeping looking at the lounge seilling if something is fritening her , on saturday i gave my green pepper seedlings some sour milk and water mix on my lounge windowsill can it be that what she is smelling or is there something in the house whats making her scared, im worried about her she acts normal outside like she is always doing but when she comes back in the lounge she is scared. What can it be dr.
May 21, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Dogs do have a very sensitive sense of smell, and Bubbles may be smelling the sour milk on the windowsill. If the behavior continues after you move the pepper seedlings to another place, there may be more going on with her, but if she acts very normal outside, I suspect that is what she is doing.
May 21, 2018
Thanks alot Dr. Michele King ive moved the pepper seedlings to another room in the house and closed the room door where they are in and bubbles started to act normal again , thanks alot Dr. U where very helpful.
May 21, 2018
Bubbles's Owner
Was this question and answer helpful?
Cross breed
Molly
3 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Restlessness, Stiffness
Hello. I got a rescue dog (three years old) and she seems, at times, to like she has stiffness in her legs after she gets up - this lessens after we have walked a little way. After a good walk today she become restless and not be able to settle (not sure if she had pain in her legs). Also just now I beckoned her on to the couch and she was reluctant to jump up - like she did't want to put pressure on either the front or back legs. Can you advise what might be wrong please.
April 13, 2018
0 Recommendations
Restlessness may be an indicator for pain, however this pain may be from joints or abdominal pain; without examining Molly I cannot narrow in on a specific area nevermind a diagnosis. You should try and keep Molly calm and run your hands over her back, neck and legs to see if she is showing any sensitivity at all. If there is no improvement, you should visit your Veterinarian for a thorough examination to determine a cause. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
April 14, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
Tibetan Terrier
Corrie
11 Months
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
She Paces Continuously
Corrie, our 11month old Tibetan terrier, has recently been spayed and her temperament has changed drastically, she has gone from a cheaky active puppy to an anxious pacing one she doesn’t seem interested in food,treats,toys all of which would have been of interest before.
All suggestions gratefully.recieved.
