It is well documented that humans could get trouble being depressed, yet it is lesser known that this condition could also happen in dogs. This article made by VKool.com shares some basic information about signs and symptoms of dog depression, causes and treatments of this problem. Read on through the article below to know your dog is depressed or not!

I. 10 Signs And Symptoms Of Dog Depression 

Actually, the degree to which your dog could “feel” depressed is up for debate and has not been studied as in-depth as in the human being. Nevertheless, a lot of dog owners have realized many times when their fury friend seems to appear stressed and depressed and does not act like itself. Signs and symptoms of dog depression could be really similar to those experienced by people. Dog also have down days as well as bad moods just like the human being. When your fury friend seems especially lethargic or tends to be moping around the yard or house, then it might be that she feels depressed.

Normally, the classic symptoms of dog depression are rather comparable to those confirmed by humans, like low energy and lack of interaction, depression is possibility. Nonetheless, it is crucial for you not to jump to conclude that your pet is experiencing “depression” and not some other medical conditions, causing it to feel depressed. Below are some common symptoms of dog depression:

1. Change In Behavior 

Your pet might show off some significant changes in terms of behavior. It might act differently, become withdrawn, and seems to act as if it has lost all of energy. In reality, it might not want to go for a walk, to play, or might become irritable.

2. Decreased Excitability 

In case that your pet used to be extremely excited to do something like go on walks, play, or used to be amped up for owner to get home from work, but not it might be lifeless, then it could be a sign of depression.

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3. Excessive Sleeping

Another sign of dog depression is excessive sleeping. In simple words, your pet seems to sleep all the time. Though sleeping is popular for dogs as they are left at home almost all day whilst their owners are being at work, but continuing to sleep after their owners come back home is abnormal. If your dog seems to exhibit all what you want is to sleep, then that might be a symptom of a bigger problem.

4. Inactivity 

Another classic sign of depression is activity. Your pet might want to just sit in their own place or any other comfortable area within your house all day long. It might become inactive and do not want to go outside.

5. Less Energy

Your pet might have less energy to do usual things like going on a walk, and playing fetch. Even, it might also not walk around your house as normal and all what it likes is to simply sleep.

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6. Limp Tail

If your pet’s tail is not as perky as normal, this could reflect their mood. If its tail is continuously pointing downwards, then it might be a result of depression.

7. Overeating Or Poor Appetite 

Though several dogs might not consume enough food, others might become a victim of overeating. This will help them mentally face with feeling depressed so they tend to turn to food as an automatic coping mechanism. As this happens, you will notice drastic weight gain in your pet.

On the other hand, some dogs might not eat as much food as they usually do, and some others might experience a huge lack of appetite that they might not eat at all.

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8. Restlessness 

When it comes to symptoms of dog depression, restlessness might not happen often. However, while certain dogs might sleep more if depressed, others might sleep less. The change in sleeping patterns is considered as a symptom of depression in dog. If you pet used to sleep well at night, but now it sleeps less, even no longer sleeps.

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9. Urination Indoors 

If your dog is well trained and always urinates right, outdoor, yet now it urinate indoors, then it might be too depressed to get itself to the door and bark to go outside.

As a result of depression, it might end up peeing and pooping inside. So, do not overlook this sign among many other symptoms of dog depression.

10. Withdrawn 

The last common sign in depressed dogs is that it might stop interacting with even its owner or other animal companions. Oftentimes, it keeps to itself and avoids actions. Similarly, humans also have the same symptom to society when being depressed.

II. Causes Of Dog Depression

Similar to humans, actually there are a lot of factors resulting in depression in dogs. And not every dog experiences this problem as a consequence of a “chemical imbalance”. In reality, there are many other factors impacting this problem, like:

1. Abuse 

If the pet has been abused by the owner in the past, then it might be depressed. Many dogs abused end up expressing symptoms of aggression, distrust, and depression as well. This is because they were not nurtured in such a compassionate, safe environment. This phenomenon happens in people who have parents neglecting or abusing them while growing up, resulting in psychological issues.

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2. Clinical Depression

If your pet has experienced depression for many weeks, even months while the etiology is unknown, then it might be due to clinical depression. That means, the pet needs to take an antidepressant such as Prozac prescribed by a vet.

3. Death 

Sometimes, the cause of depression is because of a death of siblings of that dog or of its owner. Dogs are also able to develop some strong emotional bonds with the owners as well as those around them most. Thus, when you take away some of those important aspects of their lives, they might be depressed.

4. Depressed Owner 

You are the owner of a dog and you are depressed recently, then this might also affect your fury friend. Your emotions will rub off on the pet. Most individuals with depression often struggle to take care of themselves so taking care of their dogs will be rather hard. Appropriate pet care takes a lot of time and energy as well, and people with depression might not take proper care of their dogs, leading to their pet feeling depressed.

5. Environment 

The surroundings of the pet also make it feel nerved up or depressed. If the owner moves to a new house or changes the home of the dog, then it might suffer from depression as a consequence of the changes.

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6. Loneliness 

If your dog is at home alone all day long, and 7 days a week, then you should not be its owner right at the beginning. Nevertheless, if you leave your fury friend in isolation long, it might experience the feeling of loneliness associated with sadness.

7. Medical Conditions Or Old Age 

It is always crucial to consider that your pet might have a certain underlying condition of medical, making it depressed or low energy. It is also very important to take the pet into a quality veterinarian in order to check up before assuming that its weird behavior is the result of any chemical imbalance. Oftentimes, dogs suffer from depression as a consequence of medical conditions – which is the most popular cause.

On the other hand, old age is also another symptom of depression in dogs. Some dogs get depressed when being aged. They might be less interested in doing something that previously they love. Partly, it is because they do not have the similar energy as those young puppies. Yet, sometimes, it is because they feel that their time is nearly up.

8. Seasonal Changes And Weather Changes 

Changes in the seasons could impact significantly on the dogs’ mood. For instance, those summer months might allow the dog to take more sunlight, feel excitement and run around the house while the winter months make them cooped up inside all day long. This also happens in human beings who suffer from depression or the seasonal-affective disorder in the winter months.

A few dogs could freak out if there are big weather changes like a storm in the horizon. If your living area has lots of bad weather and storms, then this might also cause depression in your dogs as they are also sensitive to the slight changes in the pressure accompanying the storms. Even, they could sense the coming of storms.

Check out: benefits of having a pet

So, as soon as you realize that your pet is experiencing prolong or unexplained symptoms of dog depression mentioned above, you should contact to the veterinarian. It is crucial to verify whether or not the pet is ill or has a chemical imbalance that needs to be treated with proper medication.

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