True story: dogs get depressed, too. Here’s everything you need to know about depression in dogs: possible causes, how to spot the signs, and what to do.
It’s a well-documented fact that dogs can benefit the mental health of their owner. According to a survey by the Human Animal Relations Research Institute (HABRI), as much as 74 percent of pet parents said having a pet improved their mental health. But what about their dog’s mental health? Do dogs get depressed, too?
Undoubtedly. A recent study from Guide Dogs UK revealed that three out of every four British dogs show signs of depression or anxiety. In fact, 18 percent showed symptoms every week! Worse: as intuitive as our furry favorites are to our emotions, cuddling up to us in a flash when they perceive we are sad, sick, or depressed, the same study showed that many pooch parents don’t spot the signs of depression or anxiety in our four-legged friends. Only 36 percent of pet parents in the study recognized the signs and signals of depression in dogs. Let’s rectify that right now – and give our pooches their best shot at happiness and health if doggy depression strikes.
Spot the Signs
Dogs may not be able to express their feelings verbally, but there are several obvious behavioral and physical signs:
- Lethargy: Your dog shows a lack of energy or disinterest in activities they once enjoyed. Zero zoomies or no excitement about walk-abouts, for example, are both signs Fido might be forlorn.
- Withdrawal versus Clinginess: A depressed dog can become less social, avoiding interactions with their family members and/or fur siblings. Or it might go the other way and become more needy than normal of their human’s attention.
- Changes in Appetite: A depressed dog might eat significantly less or way more than usual.
- Sleep Pattern Changes: A significant increase in sleep or difficulty sleeping can both be signs your pooch is glum.
- Aggression or Irritability: Uncharacteristic aggression or irritability can indicate emotional distress.
- Excessive Licking or Chewing: Some dogs might lick or chew themselves excessively as a coping mechanism for the blues.
Causes of Depression in Dogs
Aside from the obvious causes – being left at home alone for too long, boredom, and lack of exercise and/or attention – several other factors can contribute to depression in our fur babies:
- Changes in Environment: Moving to a new home, a change in routine or schedule, or the arrival of a new family member can cause stress and depression.
- Loss of a Companion: Just like humans, the death of a fellow pet or family member can lead to grief-induced depression.
- Lack of Mental Stimulation: Dogs need mental and physical stimulation – no surprise there. Not experiencing these can lead first to boredom and then to depression.
- Medical Issues: Perhaps the most pressing causes, however, and those least easily recognized, are medical in nature. An underlying health problem – such as hypothyroidism, poor heart health, chronic pain, and gastrointestinal issues – can affect your dog’s mood as much as their physical health, and manifest as depression.
The Importance of Veterinary Involvement
Given that the doggy blues might have a hidden medical reason, it’s essential to consult your veterinarian. A thorough examination, focused on possible physical, lifestyle, and environmental causes, along with recommended lab work, can:
- Pinpoint the source of the problem.
- Ensure your dog receives appropriate treatment.
What Can You Do to Prevent and Alleviate Depression?
Good health, both physical and mental, starts at home. To help your dog ward off depression – and the imbalances it can cause (and vice versa) – there are a variety of nutritional supplementation options worth adding to their diet:
- Gastrointestinal Health: Poor gut health and depression are two sides of the same coin. Tummy troubles = stress; stress = tummy troubles. ThorneVet’s Gut Health Formula supports the health of the entire GI tract in dogs (and cats, too) who are suffering from poor digestion from food intolerances, indiscreet eating, poor quality pet foods, an antibiotic regimen, and stress.
- Cardiac Health: A healthy heart is a happy heart… Here again, we have a samey-same situation: emotional stress is recognized as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in dogs, while a dog with a heart condition is more likely to be depressed. To support your pooch in both scenarios, add ThorneVet’s Heart Health Formula to their diet. This botanical powerhouse helps optimize the normal function of the heart muscle with multiple nutrients the heart needs to beat long and strong.
- Pain Management: An in-pain puppy is a sad puppy. If your dog is suffering from any sort of inflammatory condition, has poor joint health, or some other musculoskeletal condition, make sure you are providing effective pain and inflammation support. ThorneVet’s Pain and Inflammation Bundle will change their life.
- Stress and Anxiety: Finally, consider ThorneVet’s Peaceful Pet. This animal health supplement would certainly support a canine family member who is having an ongoing mental health struggle, regardless of its cause.
Understanding your dog’s behavior, recognizing the signs of depression, and getting the right help – from both your family vet and from supplements designed to help your dog live its best life – can ensure the happiness of your pup. Happy hound, happy home!
The post Is My Dog Depressed? Signs, Causes, and Treatments appeared first on Animal Wellness Magazine.