Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Create a plan that fits in with your own schedule because this will ensure that you can stick to it. Next, in knowing how to help a dog with depression, you need to be able to properly identify the signs and symptoms to verify that what they are experiencing is a depression. Start walking and feeding them at the same time each day. 3. If your dog suddenly loses interest in playing, going for walks, and other things that would normally excite her, take note. Choose a handful of activities only and repeat them throughout the week. These cookies do not store any personal information. However, if your dog seems unenthusiastic, listless, and withdrawn, it may be a sign of a problem. Your dog may not seem very enthusiastic about this at first, but will definitely enjoy the time with you. Get in touch with us and we'll talk... Depression in dogs is much like depression in humans―they feel and act withdrawn, listless, and you feel as if they have lost their unquenchable zest for life. Now I’m left to question how Remy and Indy, my other dog, will handle the loss. Your dog will feel the joy and love and will start to behave in a manner similar to the household’s. Lately, you've been noticing that your dog sleeps more than usual, eats less, and spends most of his time moping around the house. When dogs become depressed, they often eat less or even stop eating. Take Your Dog on a Hike. We want to make sure we don’t reward undesirable behaviors with treats. This is quite the opposite of his regular behavior! Make sure you’re getting out the door on schedule. What your furry friend might be experiencing right now is depression, a condition that is not dissimilar to depression in humans. Make sure that everyone in the family is cheerful and happy around your dog. What to Know Before Buying One, Pet Tech: CPR and First Aid Training for Owners and Pet Care Professionals. Laying with their heads … Even if your dog’s old chew-things and old basket don’t blend into the surroundings of your new home, make sure you keep them for your dog’s sake. 1. If your dog refuses to eat, or eats much lesser than he used to, it could mean that he is depressed. If your dog usually only sits in the car before you take him to the vet, avoid this at all costs, as it will only scare him and add to his depression. Spending time with other canines will help your dog get over depression. If your… Dogs who become less active, slow down, or seem to lose purpose may be suffering from dog depression. This change could range from the death of a companion or someone in the family, moving to a new house, shifting of attention from the dog to someone else, to separation. Dogs are pack creatures, so time spent around other canines is … Try to engage in fun activities with your dog, like games, fun tricks, and general training. Although it hasn’t been proved yet, it won’t harm your pet to listen to some soothing music to uplift his mood. Help Them Stick To A Routine. Looking to give your dog a little more excitement? Your dog might show a number of signs that will tell you if (s)he is depressed. You may also consider letting your dog play with other dogs or go to doggie daycare. And just like running can give you a “runner’s high,” so too can it help your dog if they’re feeling sad. Spending more time with your dog will show him how much you love him, and this will help him get over his depression. When you find that your furry pal is dripping down in the state of depression, feed him some delicious treats or pat on a head. A change in the surroundings, some physical exercise and quality time with you will help bring back the enthusiasm in your pet. Pamper him a little by shopping for him. You have so many hopes, plans and dreams for your new companion and are awash with warm, fuzzy feelings. Any dog owner knows how much dogs love activity. Sometimes all our pups need is a little comfort from other pooches. Most dogs bounce back from depression within a few days to a few months with just a little extra TLC, said Ciribassi. I know what you're thinking, any sudden change in a dog's behavior could be a sign of depression. It could be a new chew-toy or a new ball for him to play with. If your dog is depressed, there is a chance that he might be sleeping more than usual. Taking your dog for a fun afternoon in the park is a great way to cure your dog’s depression. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Dog Depression Treatment. If your dog has suddenly gone from a total softie to lunging at every person or animal they see on their walk, this may… Taking your dog for a fun afternoon in the park is a great way to cure your dog’s depression. This happens if there is a new baby, or a new pet in the household. There are also some dogs who will eat a lot more when they get depressed, because dog food can serve as a comfort to them.If your dog has experienced extreme weight loss in a short amount of time, there might be a chance there is a chemical imbalance caused by clinical depression. Here are some common indicators: Being down in mood and body. Studies propose that animals enjoy same-species companionship, and your dog will feel much better after spending some time with other furry friends. 6 Symptoms of Dog Depression You Shouldn’t Ignore. Dogs are bred for specific purposes. Socializing with other dogs can be great. Even moving to a new house, or a new city might be a cause of depression. In such a case, separation will more than often lead to listless, withdrawn behavior on the dog’s part. “The most common symptom is sadness — a lack of joy or interest in what the dog used to look forward to,” says petMD blogger Jennifer Coates, DVM. We’re also lucky enough to be able to communicate and vent out our issues to others who care about us when we need to. If your dog likes water, you may go swimming together. Those changes can be things like moving to a new area, losing a companion (human or dog), or maybe adjusting to their environment after adoption. Your dog is sure to enjoy the fresh air and being with your family while going out for a ride. Dogs are certainly empathetic creatures, and they can sense when another is sad or depressed. It’s something that they most certainly can feel emanating even through simple gestures like feeding them or taking them out for a walk. If your dog is depressed about losing a companion animal, you may be able to help fill the void by getting another companion animal. Are you worried your dog is looking a little down? However, pet owners will agree that their dogs display a variety of emotions―be it daily-happiness when dogs enthusiastically greet family members whenever they come home from work or school, apparent guilt when they are scolded for misbehavior. We hope you are enjoying PetPonder! Is there anything that puts your dog in a good mood right away? They may show strange eating and sleeping patterns. Affiliate Disclosure: Evolve Media LLC, and its owned and operated websites may receive a small commission from the proceeds of any product(s) sold through affiliate and direct partner links. Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)...right to your inbox. He will act listless and unenthusiastic and will spend most of his time lying around the house, sleeping more than what is normal for him. Go for a Walk. Show your dog how pleased you are when he plays with you in the park or eats his meals properly, and he will soon associate your appreciation with positive behavior. No doubt, you’re worried. It’s way we can all find calm under anxiety or stress. Your dog will get the added benefits of improved health that come with exercise, too, and you’ll get a nice workout while you bond. Mentioned below are ten tips on how to make a depressed dog happy. Pay attention to your dog’s eating habits, and talk to a professional if you suspect major changes in your dog’s … Take your dog … (Picture Credit: CreativeDream/Getty Images). Also, the music needs to be calm and reassuring. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Your dog might feel jealous or neglected when all the attention is shifted to the baby or the new pet. Dogs tend to find comfort in familiarity, and will be able to adjust to a new house a lot quicker if they have their favorite things around them. Separation can severely affect a dog. Whatever activity you decide, your dog will cherish this time with you. Depressed dogs will often lick or chew their paws to soothe themselves. It is important that you stick to the dog’s general routine and refrain from overcompensating with treats. Take … 4. If your dog is depressed because of the loss of a family member or companion, take him out to a dog-park or a dog-daycare center where he can socialize with other canines. This is a very effective idea to cheer up your depressed dog. We have to pay close attention to our dog’s behavior to figure out if something is wrong. We provide informative articles about caring for pets that you can come back to again and again when you have questions or want to learn more! In such cases, depression is known to affect dogs. Your dog may not seem… This “medicine” is free and has only positive side effects. Here are the most common factors that might cause depression in a dog: If a dog loses his owner or someone else he loves, it is very natural that his depression is because of the grief he is experiencing. Reasons for depression in dogs may vary from dog to dog and the situation he/she might be in. © 2021 All rights reserved. Symptoms of Dog Depression. But they have their own ways of communicating. The Real Reasons Why You Should Get an Elevated Dog Bed, Smart Tips on How to Train Your Dog to Sleep in His Bed, Check Out These 4 Providers of Pet Insurance Texas, Are Snakes Good Pets? 6789 Quail Hill Pkwy, Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603. Treat with Treats. Separation can be observed in many forms―the pet owner might take up a new job that keeps him/her away from the dog for a longer period of time, the pet owner may leave the dog at home while traveling for a long duration, or a family member moves out after having spent a lot of time with the dog. After all, a happy dog is more apt to be a healthy dog as well. Develop a nighttime routine before bed. This idea will help especially if your dog is lonely after the loss of a companion, or separation from a family member (for instance, someone from the family has recently moved out, and your dog is finding it hard to cope). Some of the most common symptoms of depression in dogs are: Normally, dogs happily wolf down their food and might even look beseechingly at their owners for more. What your furry friend might be experiencing right now is depression, a condition that is not dissimilar to depression in humans. Changes in Diet. Though it’s tempting to try and comfort our pups by giving them treats to change their mood, it might reinforce their feelings by teaching them to associate negativity with rewards. They also exhibit fear or anxiety when you or your pet’s companion is sick, and hence, there is every possibility that your pet experiences depression as an emotion. Most dogs love the outdoors. It’s your turn to cheer up your best friend now. Take some time to bond with your dog. Don’t play music that is loud in nature, it just might upset your dog more. More than anyone, your dog needs you at this time. There’s a good chance that your dog’s unhappiness is affecting you too. monitoring_string = "c1299fe10ba49eb54f197dd4f735fcdc". If the family is behaving in a resentful or unhappy manner, it will reflect in the dog’s behavior as well. If your dog has suddenly started to stick to you or someone else in your family, or one of his toys much more than usual, you could note this as a sign of depression. If YOU get down in the dumps, and there’s no time for exercise, here’s a tip. Then, I look at my other dog, Remy, studying my face with a confused look. Take your dog on a walk, to the dog park, or set up play dates with other humans and their dogs. If your dog has a cautious demeanor, introduce him to one dog at a time, and only if the other dog is calm and won't frighten your pup. In fact, if your dog is happy around other animals, they may appreciate you considering adoption of another furry friend. What Are the Most Affordable Pet Insurance Companies. "The first thing that you should do if you suspect that your dog is depressed is seek advice from your vet. Snuggle and Chill Together. Have a friend, whom your dog knows and trusts, look after your pet once a week to get him used to other people. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Remember to not be overly sympathetic when your dog is depressed, as this might encourage your pet to stay depressed. Keeping him locked inside the house all … Let your dog choose his own place in the house, and keep his things there to make him happy. Depression in your pet could be the result of an underlying medical condition. It's natural that you will want to pay more attention to your dog when he is depressed. Depression affects different dogs in different ways. If your dog isn’t very keen to go for his walk even once a day, there might be something that is emotionally troubling him. Whenever we’re sad or depressed, we try to find things that will make us feel better. Make sure the volume isn’t high, or the music might disturb your dog. No doubt, you're worried. Often times the reason our pups get sad or depressed is because of a major change in their circumstances. Give your dog a little doggy-treat or an extra pat on the head when he shows signs of getting over his depression. There are some medical treatments to help cure depression in dogs, but not many people are comfortable with using them. However, the possibility of a stomach condition or any other physical ailment should not be ruled out in this case. Dogtime is a property of TotallyHer Media, LLC, an Evolve Media, LLC company. No matter what’s going on that’s making your dog feel sad or depressed, the best antidote can sometimes be the simplest solution — spending some extra time with your pup. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Depression within a few months with just a little more excitement the dog’s general routine and from. May … ( Picture Credit: photo by canderson/Getty Images ) Being depressed does always... Watches me clenching the toys Wynne played with some new things to with! 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