Our dogs are often the happiest members of our family. They wag their tails, smother us with kisses, and greet us with such enthusiasm when we walk through the door, you would think they hadn’t seen us in years.
But did you know that just like humans, dogs can experience bouts of depression throughout their lifetime? They may not be able to tell us what’s wrong with them, but there are tell-tale signs that something may be off. Trusted dog expert, Cesar Millan shares what to look for if your dog may be depressed:
1. Appetite changes
When some dogs are sad, they lose an interest in food and often lost weight.
2. Sleeping all the time
While most dogs do sleep pretty often, this usually happens when their owners are gone. If your dog continues to sleep even after you get home, barely reacting to your presence, something is probably wrong.
3. Loss of interest
If your dog suddenly loses interest in playing, going on walks or doing things that normally excited him/her, take note. While this is normally for an aging dog to slow dog, it may be more alarming for a young, healthy dog.
4. Paw licking
Dogs do normally lick their paws, but excessive licking or chewing may be something to be concerned about. Depressed dogs will often lick or chew their paws to soothe themselves.
5. Avoidance and hiding
This can mean one of two things- either illness or injury. Dogs that suddenly want to hide or be left alone behave that way because something is bothering them, and if it’s not physical, it’s likely emotional.
If your dog is experiencing any of these things, they may be attributed to any major life changes. If you’ve moved recently, or a new spouse, baby or even pet is in the household, any of these things can cause a dog to get down. Even a change in the dog’s schedule, for instance a stay-at-home owner who takes a job, can through a dog off.
Bonnie Beaver, DVM,executive director of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, says:
“The two most common triggers of severe dog depression are the loss of a companion animal or the loss of an owner. And be careful the dog isn’t simply responding to the reactions of other people in the home. Dogs pick up on our emotions, so if the owner has died, the dog could be responding to the grief of others. Or the dog may not be getting the attention he’s accustomed to, which is stressing him out.”
So what do you if you think your pup may be depressed?
Have your pup checked by the vet, but don’t immediately assume it’s depression.
“It’s important that people deal with the problem before it gets too bad,” Karen Sueda, DVM, a diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists Sueda says. “By the time cases get to me, they’re bad. But most cases can be successfully treated early on with behavior modification and environmental enrichment, so it doesn’t have to get to the point where we need to use drugs.”
Did we miss any signs of depression in dogs? If so, please let us know in the comments below and SHARE this article with your friends and family on Facebook!
[Featured Image Credit: petbucket]
If You Ever See Your Dog Doing This, It Could Mean They’re Suffering From Depression is an article from: LifeDaily