Depression In Dogs

July 29, 2020

 

Studies show that dogs (most commonly, Emotional Support Dogs) can help with depression. Most of us don’t know, however, that our canine friends can also suffer depression.

The dogs can’t speak anyway so, and we can’t ask them to know how they feel. It may get worse for them if we can’t recognize the signs of depression in dogs.Studies show that your dog can change its facial expressions when it knows or thinks that you’re looking at it. It would do this to try and communicate with you.
Here are some other signs you should look for if you suspect that your dog could be depressed.

Dogs love to sleep—and it’s reasonable when you’re not around. A sudden change in its sleep patterns, however, is a red flag.

If you’ve been away for most of the day and comes back, but the dog continues to sleep, it could be battling depression. Either way, it may also remain curled up like it hasn’t noticed your presence.

Still, under the change in sleep patterns, the dog may find it hard to fall asleep. You should be concerned if the dog suddenly becomes restless and sleeps less often.

Licking of paws in dogs is normal to some extent. Nevertheless, if your pooch licks its paws continuously, you should be concerned.

Science confirms that dogs commonly lick their paws as a way to soothe themselves. Therefore, if it’s too much, your furry friend could be battling depression.

Did your dog suddenly start eating more food? The dog could be using that food as a solace because of depression.

You should also be concerned when your pooch suddenly loses interest in food. If this happens, it could be time to take it for a vet checkup. The day-to-day activities in dogs include playing around, going for short and long walks, and any other thing that will excite it. If it starts to fancy more rest than play and run, it could be suffering silently.

Depression affects dogs in many ways. Depending on your dog, it may begin to hide from you or other family members.

Either way, it may also begin to show abnormal signs of aggression and be ready to attack at the slightest provocation. When you notice this type of change in behavior, be sure to take the necessary precautions, and call a certified vet to examine the dog. Just like humans, causes of depression will vary based on different factors. Some of the reasons why your pooch could be depressed include; Changes in the dog’s natural environment, such as when you upgrade your home, move to a new home, or a change in weather and patterns, may adversely affect it. It may respond to these changes by avoiding eating or just becoming shy and hiding away from you and other family members. Studies show that dogs tend to monitor humans most of the time. They can read your gestures and expressions in a way that most animals can’t. It is because of this unique ability that your dog can easily pick on its owner’s energy or yours and start feeling in a way that’s akin to how you feel.

Your dog may also be sad when you, the owner, or a companion animal, have been away most of the time. The depression at this time may be caused by fear or the separation anxiety it’s going through.

Because of this, it may react by retreating or trying to act up by showing that it isn’t scared. This is what brings in the excessive barking and abnormal aggression.

It isn’t easy to know if the dog is having an ill-health condition in most cases—unless a vet has examined it. Nevertheless, showing a ‘sad’ face could be a sign that something isn’t right.

Therefore, if you spot signs of depressions such as sleeping a lot, and excessively licking its paws, be sure to contact a vet to examine it as soon as possible. If the vet finds an ill-health condition, the symptoms should improve once the dog has been treated.

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