Dog owners can worry when their dog looks sad and not their usual bouncy self but can dogs get depressed? Is depression in dogs similar to human depression? Dogs feel happiness, sadness and can experience depression. As a concerned owner, if you spot signs your dog is showing a loss of interest in things for long periods of time, this can be a sign of canine depression.

So you can help your dog when they need it most, we have the lowdown if your dog is showing signs that all is not well with their mental health.

Why is My Dog Depressed?

Dog depression can be triggered by a change in the dog’s environment. House moves, a new baby, change in their owner’s work patterns and even the children going back to school can all mean a change in routine and have an effect on your dog. These changes can cause a dog to lose interest in things they used to enjoy.

Dogs can also feel grief and need time to get over the loss of an owner or another companion. Other triggers for low mood and depression include chronic pain, stress, trauma, abuse, social isolation and lack of stimulation.

Working breeds have a need to take part in activities that are both physical and mental stimulation. If they’re not able to take part in activities that they were bred to carry out, a lack of stimulation can lead to boredom and other behavioural issues.

Dogs can also suffer from seasonal affective disorder. When it’s cold, dark, wet and muddy, some dogs and their owners just don’t feel like going out. But dogs need regular exercise and if their needs aren’t met, some dogs may not get enough physical and mental stimulation. They may not get the opportunity to meet up with other dogs either, leading to the winter blues.

Highly anxious dogs and those with a strong fear response can also become withdrawn and suffer from depression symptoms. They may be suffering from noise phobias or separation anxiety and these issues will need to be addressed to resolve the problem.

Poor training methods can also affect our dog’s mood. Always use reward-based training and avoid punishment that can result in a dog having a loss of confidence and suffering chronic stress.

Dog Depression Symptoms

The symptoms of depression in dogs can vary between individual dogs and depend on how serious the depression is. Signs of depression and sadness in your dog can include any of the following signs:

• Loss of appetite or change in their eating pattern.
• Lethargy – sleeping more than usual.
• Behavioural changes - they may no longer leap up and rush to the door when you mention ‘walkies’. There may be changes in their interaction with others so may become withdrawn and lose interest in playing, with you and other dogs. They may also be more clingy and needy and show other changes in their behaviour.
• Inability to settle - they may be more restless and have altered sleep patterns.

The signs are similar to those seen when a dog is in pain or ill. So, if your dog is showing signs they may be suffering from depression, always book an appointment for a health check-up to rule out any underlying health issues. 

Grief in Dogs

Dogs that have lost an owner or another pet in the household, can miss their deceased companion. There can be a wide range of responses to the loss of a companion and some dogs may even appear to wait for them to return. The signs of grief will improve with time but there are some ways to help your pet get through this period:

• If they’ve lost interest in food, make food more appealing. Tempt them with their favourite foods or slightly warm their food (if canned) to make it smell better.
• Spend extra time with them – go on their favourite walks or introduce new walks to their routine. Make time for games and grooming sessions.
• Provide distractions – hide their food in puzzle toys.
• If your dog is vocalizing more (barking or howling), don’t reward this behaviour with treats, ignore it and give them attention when they’re quiet.
• Don’t immediately remove all traces of the deceased pet. Allow your remaining dog time to understand their missing companion isn’t coming back. And don’t immediately replace the pet with another. A grieving dog may not be ready to accept a new family member straight away.

Dog Depression Treatment

In most cases, some simple changes will be effective. If they’ve been unsettled by a change to their environment or social group, once a new routine has been established, they’ll soon adjust to it. They’ll feel safe again and their mood will return to normal.

Make more time for playing games together and mentally stimulating walks. By enriching their environment and spending more quality time together, owners can improve their dog’s emotional state and see a day-to-day improvement. Other family members can help out too. If your dog is sociable and missing the company of other dogs, enrol in a training class, dog agility activity or organise a pet playdate.

However, dogs with severe depression may need a behavioural modification plan. A referral to a veterinary behaviourist will be needed for this treatment. Pharmacological support in the form of antidepressant medication may also be necessary to improve the dog’s quality of life.

If you think your canine friend is suffering from dog depression, don’t hesitate to ask your vet for advice. Some simple changes to enrich your dog’s environment can be successful in lifting the doggy blues so your furry friend will soon be back to being happy and waggy-tailed again. Your vet can also refer your dog to a veterinary behaviourist for depression treatment if needed.

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis - www.vetstream.com/treat/canis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.