Is Dog Depression Really a Thing?

Dogs, unlike humans, are unable to express their emotions verbally. Despite the fact that dogs may have different emotions than humans, scientists understand that mental health issues such as depression may affect dogs.

The severity of the condition and the individual dog’s signs of depression will differ. Changes in body language during interactions with people and other pets, as well as decreased appetite and sluggish behavior, are all things to watch out for. However, you should first rule out any possible medical condition.

Some signs of dog depression include:

• If your dog doesn’t want to engage in activities they used to enjoy
• Becoming overly clingy or conversely more withdrawn
• Their eating and sleeping patterns may change

According to the AKC some triggers of depression may be:

• Grief over the loss of a human or animal companion
• On-going chronic pain
• Trauma or long-term stress
• Some changes in the environment such as a move, a new baby, a new pet, or any other change in household patterns
• Being socially isolated
• Not enough physical or mental stimulation

Ways to treat dog depression:

• Do more of the things you know they like such as car rides or walks
• Reward any sign of happiness
• Don’t encourage moping by rewarding with extra treats or other reinforcement
• Get another pet for a companion if that would make sense in your situation
• If all else fails, dogs can be treated with the same anti-depressants as humans

For more information about dog depression, this article on PetMD is an excellent starting point.

Do you think dog (or pet) depression is a real thing?

Please share your stories: what caused the depression and what were you able to do about it.