If your dog has been stretching a lot you might want to know why and what you can do about it.
This post will show you why it might be doing it and what you can do to get it to stop.
So, why does my dog keep stretching? Possible reasons why your dog keeps stretching are that it is tired, needs more exercise, is ill or injured, has fleas or allergies or that it simply likes the feeling.
There are actually a number of reasons why your dog might be doing it but there are also a number of things you can consider to figure out the exact reason.
Why does my dog keep stretching?
Each of the different reasons why your dog does it will likely come with some clues.
Below are a number of possible causes and what would make them more likely.
Tiredness
It is not uncommon for dogs to stretch more when they are tired or when they have just woken up. If your dog normally stretches more just before going to sleep or when waking up it would be likely to be for those reasons.
It needs more exercise
If your dog is a breed that is meant to get a lot of exercise but it has not been getting much exercise it could be the case that a lack of exercise is causing its muscles to feel sore. It would help to make sure that your dog is able to get the recommended amount of exercise for its breed.
Illness or injury
If your dog is ill it might be stretching more because it makes its stomach feel better. This would be more likely if your dog has started doing it suddenly and if it has been showing signs of being ill such as fatigue or vomiting. If it does seem like it is ill then the best option would be to take it to a vet.
It might also be the case that it has an injury that feels less painful when it stretches. This would be more likely if it has been showing other signs of being injured such as limping. Again, if it seems like it might be injured then the best option would be to take it to a vet.
It simply likes the feeling
It is not uncommon for dogs to stretch a lot and normally it is not a cause for concern by itself. The reason why it does it might be that it simply likes the way that it feels when it stretches.
Related: Why does my dog sleep by my head?
Things to consider
When your dog first started stretching a lot
It would help to consider when your dog first started stretching more since it could be the case that there was an event that caused it to start doing it.
If it started doing it suddenly it would make it more likely to be due to things such as getting ill or injured, getting less exercise or a sudden change in its daily schedule. It would help to consider what else changed when it started doing it.
Whereas, if it has always stretched a lot it would be more likely that it does it because it is tired or because it does it naturally.
When your dog stretches most
It would also help to consider the timing of when your dog does it since it could be the case that the timing has something to do with it.
For example, if your dog tends to stretch more when it has just woken up then it would be more likely that it is loosening its stiff muscles.
What to do about your dog stretching a lot
Below are some options you have when getting your dog to stretch less.
Take it to a vet
If you can’t figure out why your dog has been doing it, your dog has started doing it a lot suddenly or it has been showing signs of being ill or injured then the best option would be to take it to a vet. By doing so you will be able to get expert advice tailored to your specific dog and to rule out the possibility of illness or injury.
Nothing
It is not unusual for dogs to stretch a lot. If your dog has not started doing it suddenly and it has not been showing signs of illness or injury then it would be more likely to be normal behavior.
Give it exercise
It would also help to make sure that your dog is able to get the recommended amount of exercise for its breed. You can exercise it by walking it yourself or by getting a dog walker to do it for you when you are unable to do it.
Why is my dog suddenly stretching a lot?
If your dog has suddenly started stretching a lot, it could be due to an injury, because your dog has been getting less exercise, or your dog has not been able to sleep as much.
It could also be the case that your dog has started doing it in order to cool down. This would be more likely if your dog has started doing it as the weather has gotten hotter, your dog has been doing it on cold surfaces, and your dog has been stretching its whole body onto the floor.
Why does my dog stretch his front legs?
Dogs will often stretch their front legs simply because it feels good. However, it could also be the case that your dog is doing it as an invitation to play which would be more likely if your dog does it when you start playing with them.
Why does my dog stretch when he sees me?
If your dog stretches when he sees you, it could be because your dog is inviting you to play with him or because he is preparing his muscles to get some exercise which would be more likely if your dog tends to do it more before you have given him exercise.