I have a 4yr old Cavalier King Charles, female, a lovely dog, our pet, fit and healthy. Fed properly, walked a min of 15 minutes once per day, and can be much more depending on weather, she goes to parks and beach and we have gardens. She has never been one to play much, with us, toys, whatever, she will walk for miles as long as I walk, if I sit, she sits, always has. She is very well behaved and has never had a problem sleeping. Lately she has been reluctant to take a second walk, so much so that I have turned back and gone home with her. She sleeps all day long now also, she seems happy enough , comfy, just lazy. Help, she is too young to become old.

She could be getting hypothyroid. It's not common in young dogs, but it will happen.

I think you need to speak with your vet and get some blood tests done. Young dogs that slow down dramatically usually indicates something is amuck.

Thyroid deficiency, or anemia may be causing the loss of energy. But whatever it is, a trip to the vet will be more rewarding.

Just to rule out everything, has she been spayed?

Just to rule out everything, has she been spayed?

Well, that may not rule out everything, but it is certainly a giant step in the right direction... Thanks for asking the obvious, but neglected, question!

Right, not ruling out "everything", but wouldn't it be nice if it were that simple? :)

Yes, it would. But, having reset my thinking cap, ANY profound infection can do the same thing as a pyometra. Had a St Bernard who went off feed (wouldn't even eat steak!) and a vet check discovered an infected (abscessed, really) aural hematoma. Or, more commonly described as a swollen ear flap from a broken blood vessel in the external ear flap.

I had a Shih Tzu with a broken tooth, wouldn't eat for days and was lethargic and "lazy". It didn't really cross my mind it could be a tooth as she was a smaller breed, and wasn't a heavy chewer, didn't chew bones or sticks. Pretty sure she broke it on her kibble!

Hi formilly4,

Your vet needs to rule out health conditions or find them. I would strongly suggest a visit to your family vet. Has she been checked for fleas, ticks and heartworms? Does she wear a flea collar? If she does wear a flea/tick collar remove it and see if she improves. Check her gums; if pale or bluish it might indicate a heart health concern. If the vet does not find anything on physical exam then I'm sure he will want to do a chemistry blood work up and a urinalysis, checking for anemia especially.

FYI: Also, have vet check for this>>>Luxating patella (or trick knee or floating patella) is a condition in which the patella/kneecap, dislocates or moves out of its normal location.

Does she tire easily, or just seem lazy?
As mentioned in above comments, I would get her checked out. Cavaliers are also notoriously predisposed to heart disease... I would want to rule that out.