Restlessness

What conditions can cause restlessness in pets?

Restlessness can develop secondary to many medical conditions, including:

• Pain (e.g., dental disease, arthritis, cancer pain, intervertebral disc disease)
• Anxiety
• Phobias (e.g., fear of storms, fireworks, other loud noises)
• Epilepsy
• Cognitive dysfunction
• Metabolic imbalances (e.g., Cushing’s disease, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism)
• Organ disease that affects the kidneys, liver, heart, or respiratory system
• Nausea and vomiting
• Urinary issues
• Bloat and gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV)

Typically, your pet’s restless behavior is a sign of physical or mental discomfort that needs to be addressed.

How can restlessness affect my pet’s quality of life?

Pets who are restless can experience a decreased quality of life if they are unable to rest and relax. If the underlying cause remains unidentified, your pet will continue to suffer from not only restless behavior, but also the root of the issue, such as pain, anxiety, cognitive dysfunction, or metabolic imbalances. In addition, your pet’s restless behavior likely affects their sleeping habits, and may also interfere with your good night’s sleep. Anxious, restless, pacing pets who simply cannot relax are exhausting to be around, and rather than enjoying your pet’s companionship, you may be annoyed by their high anxiety, discomfort, or extreme restlessness, which can harm your loving bond. 

How can I manage my pet’s restlessness at home?

If your pet is suffering from restlessness, these management tips may help improve their quality of life:

• Interact with your pet in a calm, consistent fashion, avoiding sudden, drastic changes that may trigger anxiety.
• Provide multiple comfortable spots for your pet to rest, relax, and sleep.
• Engage in daily exercise to help tire out your pet.
• Play interactive thinking or training games with your pet to keep their mind sharp and stave off cognitive dysfunction.
• Use food puzzles instead of dishes to banish stress, anxiety, and boredom.
• Try these calming supplements and products to help soothe your pet:
  • Feliway or Adaptil diffusers, to diffuse calming pheromones into the air in the room your pet frequents most
  • Composure or Zylkene chews, which include calming ingredients, such as thiamine, colostrum, L-theanine, and a milk protein
  • A Thundershirt or other compression wrap, to swaddle your pet—the wrap makes them feel safe and comfortable by applying pressure to calming acupoints

When should I seek veterinary help for my pet’s restlessness?

If your pet has a chronic condition, you should maintain close contact with your family veterinarian about their progress and management. Contact your family veterinarian in these situations:

• If your pet is unable to sleep
• If your pet is not eating or drinking
• If you can attribute an underlying cause to your pet’s restless behavior

Your family veterinarian may have additional management tips, and can diagnose the underlying issue, or prescribe anti-anxiety or other needed medications. 

Before your pet’s condition becomes unmanageable, or they begin losing their quality of life, beginning end-of-life care discussions is vital. Learn more about pet hospice, in-home euthanasia, and our telehospice services, or contact a Lap of Love veterinarian in your area, so you can feel fully prepared for this difficult time.