How to tell if your dog is depressed and what can you do

Did you know that dogs can become depressed just like us humans can? It’s not as common as with humans, but the consequences of doggy depression can be the same. So in order to know what to do if your pooch is depressed, you have to first know that they have depression and the cause behind it.

Here are some signs and symptoms to look out for:

A dog’s depression can manifest itself in different ways. Your dog may no longer be interested in doing the things that they once loved to do. For example, maybe your dog loved to chase after balls and then they suddenly lost interest in that activity and now just lies around the house. A depressed dog may also lose their appetite and eat less than before.  They may also have some disturbed sleeping patterns, sleeping more or less than they usually do. If the depression is really serious they may not sleep at all. Your dog may totally lose interest in doing activities as daily walking and trips to the park. In some extreme cases, depressed dogs can show signs of aggression and restlessness.

What should you do if you think that your pooch has depression?

The first thing you should do is to take them to a vet o be examined. They vet will be able to determine if there are any medical problems causing the depression such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, kidney disorders, and other chronic illnesses.

If this is not the case, then you need to reflect about what has recently changed in your doggy’s life. Maybe a member in the family has recently moved out or maybe someone past away that your dog could be mourning over? Has your dog’s routine been changed recently? All of these things can lead to insecurity in your dog and manifest as depressive symptoms. Of course, you are not able to control some cause factors but if you can identify the cause behind the depression you may be able to help your dog more directly.

Another thing you can do is to increase your dog’s activities. Take your dog for long walks in the forest and give them a lot of play time with their favourite toys. Letting your dog socialise more can sometimes make a really big difference in their mental state.

If these things don’t make your little dog happier it’s time to contact your vet and discuss medical treatments and antidepressants. Remember it takes a couple of weeks before the pills have an effect so be sure to give your pooch a lot of treats and love during the time.