What this means
Restlessness is often the first sign that a dog is in pain or unwell, not a matter of character or training. The dog paces back and forth or in circles, lies down and gets up straight away, changes position, looks at its belly, pants or cannot settle even in its own bed. If this is out of character for your dog, it is very important to think of pain or illness.
Many different causes can lie behind restlessness: belly pain, nausea, inflammation, a swollen abdomen, trouble breathing, overheating, fear or stress. Some of them are emergencies. A particularly serious sign is restlessness together with a swollen belly, unproductive attempts to vomit or fast breathing. In that case do not wait and go to a vet straight away.
Write down when the restlessness began, whether it is linked to eating, whether your dog is vomiting, whether its belly has changed, whether it seeks out a cool surface or presses against you. Say whether your dog could have swallowed anything unsafe. If you can, film how your dog moves. It will help your vet understand what is going on more quickly.
Possible causes
These are things that can cause this sign. It is not a diagnosis, and they are not equally likely for your dog.
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Belly pain
Inflammation of the pancreas or bowel can cause strong pain, so the dog cannot find a place to settle, stretches its front end out in a prayer pose or vomits.
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A stomach that swells or twists
This is a life-threatening condition in which the stomach bloats. The dog paces in circles, tries to vomit but brings nothing up, and the belly may be swollen and hard.
About the condition: Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus) -
Nausea or general illness
When a dog feels sick or unwell it may drool, pace and fail to find a comfortable position.
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Difficulty breathing or a heart problem
A dog short of air cannot lie quietly, breathes with its neck stretched out and paces.
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Overheating
An overheated dog pants, looks for a cooler place and cannot settle. This can quickly become dangerous.
About the condition: Overheating (heat stroke) -
Anxiety or fear
A dog may be restless because of stress, noise or an unfamiliar place. But before deciding that, first make sure there is no pain or illness.
About the condition: Anxiety
What else to watch for
These observations help your vet build the picture faster. Note down what you saw and when.
- When the restlessness began and whether it was linked to eating or drinking
- Whether your dog tries to vomit, vomits, or has a swollen belly
- Whether it will not let its belly be touched or whimpers
- Whether it pants fast, drools or looks overheated
- Whether it takes a prayer pose, front legs stretched out and rear in the air
- Whether it could have swallowed something unsafe
When to book a routine visit
If your dog is unusually restless for more than a few hours or it keeps coming back, show it to a vet. Restlessness can be a sign of pain, so it should not be put down to character.
Related conditions
Conditions whose entries mention this sign. The list is somewhere to read on, not a way to reach a diagnosis.
- Anxiety General health Anxiety is a state in which a dog feels tension and fear constantly or far too strongly, even when there is no real danger. It can be set off by being left alone, loud noises, new surroundings or strangers, and long-lasting anxiety wears down both the dog and the whole household. It helps to understand that this behaviour is not stubbornness or disobedience but a sign that the dog is struggling.
- Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus) Digestion and liver This is a condition in which the stomach fills with gas and can twist around on itself, pinching off its blood vessels and cutting off circulation. It develops very quickly and is life-threatening, so the dog needs a vet immediately. Large, deep-chested dogs are known to be at risk, so it is worth noting the number of the nearest emergency clinic in advance.
- Pancreatitis Digestion and liver Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, in which digestive enzymes become active too early and start to irritate the pancreas itself and the tissue around it. It can come on suddenly or smoulder for a long time with repeated flare-ups, and in more severe cases it affects other organs too. The causes vary, so working out what is going on with a particular dog is a job for the vet.
Body systems: General health Digestion and liver