What is the most depressed dog?

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Have you observed recently that your pet’s energy level has decreased, they are no longer invested in the stuff they used to show interest in, or their sleeping or eating patterns have changed dramatically? Your pet is likely depressed. Yes, pets can easily be depressed just like us humans. Pet depression can usually be caused by the departure or loss of a family member, either another pet or a human.

Depression can also result from significant changes in the pet’s routine, which may occur due to the arrival of a new pet, a baby, or even shifting to a new home. However, the good news is that the pet owners can take multiple steps to neutralize the pet’s depression and get the pet to feel better again.

Being pet parents, it is critical to be mindful of the wellness and mental health of your furry companions. Below are some warning signs that your pet is in possible depression and that it’s time for a vet appointment.

Signs That Your Pet is Depressed

Changes in Appetite

When pets are depressed, they usually eat less or stop eating entirely. On the contrary, some pets tend to eat way more during the depression as any food is comforting for them. If your pet has undergone high weight loss in a brief period, this may be a chemical imbalance triggered by clinical depression. This also includes not feeling excited to see favorite snacks as well.

Changes in Sleep Schedule

Just like people, when pets are depressed, they sleep a lot. Even when you come home from work, likely, your pet is still sleeping. Sleeping more than usual is a strong indication of depression. In some cases, your pet may choose to sleep in secluded places away from you.

Having no Interest

A prominent symptom of depression in pets is not looking forward to walks and games. Again, these symptoms are highly similar to humans. They may be indifferent towards their favorite activities or toys. In extreme situations, you may notice that they do not respond well to their names either.

Hiding or Avoidance

If your pet instantly starts to hide from you or wants to be alone, this is an undeniable symptom that they’re bothered by something. It can either be something emotional or a physical injury. You may also notice your pet pressing its head against the wall frequently. That too is a sign of depressed behavior.

Excessive licking

Depressed dogs tend to constantly lick their paws to comfort themselves. If it looks like your pet is showcasing biting or licking behavior, it is most likely depressed.

Understanding the Reasons Why your Pet is Depressed

If you think that your dog is in a state of depression, simply start with a vet appointment to learn the cause. The vet will guide you to identify any potential physical or health issues. Separation anxiety is extremely common and can also be treated on the same visit to the vet’s office.

If any life-changing events are causing anxiety and you have discovered the source of depression, try to work with a trainer or veterinary behaviorist on procedures to reduce the triggers.

You might discover that some temporary methods fastly change the pet’s attitude. Furthermore, try natural remedies such as a soothing diffuser or essential oils and flower essences.

At Autumn Trails and Veterinary Center, we provide you with the best general wellness services that keep your pets healthy and happy. We offer our veterinary services in the city of Charlottesville, VA. To book an appointment contact us on our number (434) 971-9800.

Dog depression and canine seasonal affective disorder

It may surprise you to learn that dogs can suffer from a type of depression, and even more so that it may be more common in the long dark winter months. If you worry that your dog seems sad or low, you can find out about signs to look out for, potential causes and discover how to help your dog feel happier.

Signs of an unhappy dog

Withdrawn – the dog may have little enthusiasm for exercise or games or joining in with the things they normally enjoy

Lethargic – they may be sleeping more than usual

Loss of appetite — they may lose interest in food or there may be other changes to eating patterns

Inability to settle – the dog may appear restless, not sleeping well or deeply, or other changes to sleeping patterns

Behaviour changes – the same mood states that can present as apparent depression can present as other issues depending on the dog’s personality. These can include chewing, attempts at escapology, increased reactivity, loss of toilet training, and even aggression.

What causes ‘dog depression’?

There are many factors that can impact on a dog’s emotional state, including changes to routine, environment, social group, or as a result of chronic stress or anxiety resulting from fears and phobias or lifestyle. Some of these can produce what looks like a canine version of depression, but so often owners don’t recognise the change in their dog’s mood, or know that they can do some very simple things to transform their dog’s life.

Changes to environment

Most dogs like routine and are happiest when they are confident in their environment and know what to expect during their day. Dramatic changes, such as house moves, building work or major home reorganisations, can leave your dog feeling uncertain. In these instances you may well see changes in their personality or behaviour as they try to adjust and regain their routine and feelings of safety.

Changes to social group

A dog’s bond with its family is very strong and changes to their social dynamic can strongly affect them, such as divorce, bereavement (human, canine and sometimes even feline), children leaving home, or even a change in working patterns. Dogs don’t understand where their friends or loved ones have gone and of course we can’t explain it to them so that they understand.

It’s not just grief that can affect a dog’s mood however. If you are suddenly less available to your dog, such as returning to work after a break, or starting a new job – it can hit them hard. They rely on you totally for company, security and love, and can feel your increased absence keenly.

Boredom

It’s easy to only pay attention to dogs in the few short hours a day we are exercising them, but for many dogs that means upwards of 12 waking hours a day, every day, with absolutely nothing to do! For dogs, especially working types, boredom can lead to a number of different behavioural problems, including depression.

Fears and phobias

Often what looks like canine depression is a sign of an underlying behaviour issue. Even though they are not showing any acute or obvious signs of fear, a dog who suffers from noise phobias, or separation related issues, for example, can be in a chronic state of stress or anxiety, always waiting for the next bang or the next time they are left home alone.

SAD?

At this time of year there can be several causes of a dog’s apparent sadness, including something similar to — Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). However, something far more likely to cause behavioural problems are changes to a dog’s routine.

Our dogs have certain hard-wired needs that we need to fulfill to keep them healthy and happy. A major one of these is exercise and physical and mental stimulation. Not only that but they need the right kind of exercise, and this can often be breed or type dependant.

Through the winter – especially the long, wet winters we have been seeing in recent years – it can be hard to give dogs the exercise they need. Dark mornings and evenings, and muddy, wet walks, can make taking the dog out seem like a chore. As a result, many dogs are getting less exercise or fewer walks than usual, and aren’t getting to do the things they truly love.

In other cases, owners don’t realise just how much exercise their dog needs, or what types of things will keep them happy. All dogs are different and so finding out what fulfils a dog’s hard-wired needs can be the key to a contented dog. It’s similar to someone who loves nothing more than doing yoga being forced to only do marathon running! Yes, you’d be getting the exercise you need, but you wouldn’t be enjoying it, and would probably be feeling pretty fed up about it!

A lack of being able to do the things they have been selectively bred to do, or just the things that they love, can result in a whole host of behaviour problems, some of which will present a lot like depression.

It ain’t what you do, it’s the way that you do it

All dogs should have some training so that they can have the freedom they need to be able to be let off the lead, where it is safe to do so, and so they are not a nuisance or danger to themselves or others. How you train your dog – and how you relate to them day-to-day – will have an impact on their mood.

Reward-based training methods and handling improve the bond between a dog and their owner. Heavy-handed methods that rely on punishment can however leave the dog feeling unable to succeed, resulting in a loss of confidence in their owner, and producing a state of learned helplessness. These dogs may appear quiet and well-behaved, but may actually be experiencing a very low mood state and chronic stress where it is far safer to do nothing.

Physical illness or pain

Low mood states don’t only have mental and emotional causes at their root. Some physical conditions – especially those which cause pain – can affect a dog’s mood, and whenever there are sudden changes in a dog’s personality or behaviour the first step should be a visit to the vet to check there are no clinical causes.

Personality

Like us all dogs are different. Some are by nature bouncy and very obviously happy all the time, while others are more reserved and self-contained, but are no less contented. Know your own dog and do some research on what things they may enjoy to enhance their life and their mood, but also be aware of what their usual (resting) mood state is.

What to do?

Recognising the problem is the first step to solving it, then do a canine mental health assessment on your dog.

Has anything changed in your dog’s life, environment or social group?
Is your dog getting as much exercise and stimulation as usual? Is your dog getting the right sort of exercise and stimulation to give them an outlet for their hard-wired needs and the things they love?
Is your dog getting as much contact with you are usual?
Are you spending enough quality time with your dog? This may be exercise, games, training, dog sports or just hanging out together.
Is your dog bored? Can you relieve this with an additional walk, short training sessions throughout the day, occasional games, interactive toys etc?
Does your dog have any other behaviour issues – especially fears and phobias that may be more prevalent for any reason?

Once you have done this check, you should have a clear idea of what your dog needs from you to lift their mood and find ways to do this. If you are unable to make the changes (such as in the case of house moves etc) be aware that your dog is struggling and give them more TLC than usual and lots of fun things to do to distract them and support them through the changes.

When to seek help

If your dog’s mood or behaviour has changed suddenly and you can find no reason why this may be happening, visit your vet to check for clinical causes.

Once your dog has a clean bill of health, consult an accredited experienced behaviourist who can look at any behaviour changes or issues, and help you transform your dog’s mood, behaviour and life for the better.

Think your dog may be affected?

If you’re worried about your dog’s health, always contact your vet immediately.

We are not a veterinary organisation and so we can’t give veterinary advice, but if you’re worried about any of the issues raised in this article, please contact your local vet practice for further information.

Find a vet near you

If you’re looking for a vet practice near you, why not visit the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ Find a vet page.

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