If your Labrador 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 Labrador keep stretching? Possible reasons are that it is tired, needs more exercise, is ill or injured, has fleas or allergies or that it simply likes the feeling.
Your Labrador might be doing it for a number of different reasons. But, there are some things you can consider when trying to figure out the exact reason and there are a number of things you can do about it.
Why your Labrador keeps stretching
Below are a number of reasons why your Labrador might keep doing it and what would make them more likely to be the main reason.
Tiredness
It is not uncommon for dogs to stretch more when they are tired or when they have just woken up. If your Labrador 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
Labradors are meant to get daily exericse. It could be the case that a lack of exercise is causing its muscles to feel sore. Generally, it is recommended for them to get at least an hour of exercise per day as healthy adults.
Illness or injury
The cause could be that it has gotten an illness or injury and stretching makes it feel better. This would be more likely if it has started doing it a lot suddenly and if it has been showing other signs of being ill or injured such as limping or vomiting. In this case, the best option would be to take it to a vet for a checkup.
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.
Things to consider
When it first started doing it
If it did not always stretch a lot, it would help to consider what else changed when it first started doing it since it could be the case that there was an event that caused it to start.
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 it does it more
It would also help to consider if there is a certain time that it tends to do it since the timing could also have something to do with it.
For example, if your Labrador 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 Labrador stretching a lot
Below are some things you can do about your Labrador stretching a lot.
Take it to a vet
If it has started doing it a lot suddenly, you cannot figure out why it has been doing it or it has been showing signs of being ill or injured, the best option would be to take it to a vet.
By doing so you will be able to get expert advice tailored towards your particular Labrador and to rule out the possibility of it being due to 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
As mentioned above, it is important to make sure that your Labrador is able to get daily exercise if it is a healthy adult. Generally, it is recommended for them to get at least an hour of exercise per day as healthy adults.