Dogs also have feelings and sometimes they will feel sad and discouraged. Do you want to know the reasons?
Depression in dogs: How to know if our pet is sad
Just like any of us, our pet can also suffer from depression for various reasons. In most cases, we do not pay enough attention to dogs to detect that our animal is sad and it may even seem that it suffers from another type of problem. Below we will give you the necessary keys to detect the symptoms of depression in dogs.
What is depression in dogs
Depression in dogs is the same as in humans, with the only difference that our pet does not have the ability to talk to us and express that he is sad. Depression in dogs is usually the result of a traumatic situation in their environment.
Sudden changes are the most likely to contribute to this situation. For example, the arrival of another dog or a baby into the home, a move, a change in the owner’s routine, the loss of a pet or a member of the household, experiencing a stressful situation such as a confrontation with another dog, or even changes in the weather such as the arrival of winter.
Depression can also be related to the decisions that owners make regarding their pets’ lives, such as not encouraging socialization with other dogs, not encouraging exercise, or overprotecting them. These behaviors, which show the lack of a good guide, often lead to mental illnesses that can translate into bad behavior or depression.
Dogs pick up on our emotions, so if the owner has died, the dog could be influenced by the grief of others. Or the dog may not be getting the attention he was used to, which ends up making him stressed and sad.
How it affects them
The symptoms of depression in dogs are very similar to those in people. Dogs become withdrawn and inactive. They usually change their eating and sleeping habits and do not participate in things they once enjoyed.
But veterinarians warn that these symptoms could also mean that the dog has a medical problem , so the first thing to do in these cases is always a thorough checkup. A pet that seems depressed and sad and no longer wants to go for walks could simply be in pain.
How can we find out that dogs are depressed
The symptoms are not always easy to identify and can be confused with tiredness or boredom, which can distract attention from a more serious and deeper problem.
Among the behaviors that allow us to identify depressed dogs are:
Lack of interaction with other dogs and inactivity: Whether at home or on the street, depressed dogs usually stop socializing and withdraw without paying attention to the other animal’s provocations to play. This is often associated with another symptom, inactivity, since dogs in this state usually show a lack of interest in activities such as running or going for a walk.
Changes in appetite and sleep are some of the symptoms
Changes in sleeping habits: Depressed dogs usually sleep more . However, there are also those that are more nervous and restless, which prevents them from getting a good night’s sleep.
Strange behaviors: In these cases, dogs may also exhibit unusual behaviors such as whining and crying frequently, being nervous and pacing, becoming excessively attached to their owner, or hiding for long hours. In more severe cases, they may exhibit self-destructive behaviors such as banging themselves against walls, self-mutilating, or stopping eating.
How we can help you move forward
When a dog repeatedly develops some of these symptoms , the first step should be to take it to the vet to identify the problem. This is necessary since many of the behaviors mentioned above may be the result of some physical problem and not necessarily related to depression.
If depression is detected in the animal after the medical check-up, the important thing is to identify the causes of this situation . Once this step has been completed, some of the guidelines that have fostered this state can be changed:
Spend time with him and keep him busy: If the cause of the disorder is a change in the environment, such as a move or a change in the owner’s schedule, it is best to dedicate some time of the day to take the dog out of the house , which helps his mental stimulation.
In this process, it is key to keep your pet exercised and busy, so a good strategy is to accompany them in their favorite game or activity . In addition to spending time with them, you can incorporate interactive toys for when there is no one at home, which will allow them to play and entertain themselves on their own.
An important aspect to consider is not to try to constantly stimulate a depressed dog through rewards and treats, since he may associate that he is being compensated for that negative behavior .
Socializing with other dogs: When depression is caused by the loss of a canine companion, the ideal is to take him to the park regularly so that he can socialize again. You can also consider bringing a new pet into the home , which should be done carefully, since if the dog feels displaced this can be counterproductive.
Medications, yes or no?: When the methods mentioned above do not work, the possibility of incorporating medications can be considered, a resource that can be useful when depression is caused by a chemical imbalance . However, the use of medications should always be considered as a last option and should be supervised by a professional .