Animals
have emotions, too. Far from what most people know, animals express
their emotions better than humans. With this being said, it is also
normal for animals to experience emotional troubles such as depression.
Based on study, the symptoms of depression among dogs is a bit
similar to the symptoms experienced by humans. And same as the
depression that humans undergo, this mental illness is also
life-threatening to our furry companions.
This situation is alarming especially for those who are newbie in
keeping a dog. This article aims to give you information about your
dog’s behavior and how to tell if they are experiencing any emotional
problems.
6 Signs That Your Dog Is Depressed
Many factors may affect your pets’ behavior including the change in
environment, the people around them as well as changes in their
routines. It is always best to call for help from your vet in case worst
situations occur. Watch out for these signs and make sure to respond to
them accordingly.
1. Hiding And Avoiding Contact With Anybody
Dogs are naturally sociable. They like being around with people
including strangers. If your dog starts hiding in enclosed spaces and
avoid close contact with anybody including yourself, it could either
mean an illness, including depression or injury. This behavior could
mean that something is bothering them. It could also mean other things.
If this behavior continues for some time, it’s best to bring your pup to
the vet and have it checked.
2. Loss Of Appetite
Depression in dogs can cause them to reduce or stop eating. A healthy dog can devour as much food as you show them. But if your dog starts to
leave its bowl untouched, you must keep a close attention to it. It may
be that your dog is giving you a sign that it is going through an
emotional distress.
3. Loss Of Interest In Doing Activities
Even a slight change from your dog’s behavior can be a strong
indication that it is dealing with a serious emotional illness. Each
dog’s energy level, routine and favorite activities vary. Some dogs
enjoy more physical activities than the others.
In order to understand your dog’s mood and feelings, you have to pay
attention to your dog’s usual routine and how its daily activities
change. For example, if your dog loves catching Frisbee and it suddenly
stops doing so, it could be a telltale sign that your dog is sad or
depressed.
4. Sudden Aggression
Depression isn’t only shown by sad faces. Moreover, aggressive
behavior doesn’t always mean that your dog is going through an emotional
problem. But in case your pup has always been cuddly and sweet and
suddenly starts snapping and tearing things around, there might be
something wrong. You need to worry about it immediately but if your
pooch aggressive behavior aggravates, you’d better ask for your vet’s
advice.
5. Sleeping Too Much
A dramatic change in your dog’s sleeping habit is also a clear sign
that there could be something wrong. On average, dogs sleep 12 – 14
hours a day. This may change depending on your dog’s breed, routines and
age. Aging dogs tend to sleep a lot longer. These things should be
considered to tell whether your dog is having some trouble or not. If
you think that your dog sleeps more than it used to, consider bringing
it to the vet.
6. Excessive Paw Licking
Though paw licking is a normal habit for your pooch, it could also be
a sign of depression. There are also other physiological reasons this
behavior. Some examples are bacterial infection and other related
diseases. What you have to watch out for is if your dog shows other
signs of depression along with its excessive paw licking habit.
How to Cheer Up a Depressed Dog
As much as we need to know and understand what our pets are trying to
say through their behavior, it is also best to learn how to comfort
them when they start showing signs of too much sadness.
Below are ways to comfort a depressed dog:
Spend More Time With Your Dog
Whatever it is that is making your dog sad, the best way to make it
feel better is to show your love and support for it. Watching with your
dog by your side, feeding it or taking it for a walk can be a great way
to spend time together. They are simple gestures, yes, but they make a
big difference in your pup’s life.
Establish A Consistent Routine For Your Dog
Dogs sometimes start showing signs of depression after some changes.
Establishing a new habit will help your dog get accustomed to the new
things around it. Dogs feel great if they are given something to look
forward to so setting activities for your dog will surely be of great
help. Make sure that the routine includes healthy habits. This is not
only for your dog but for yourself as well.
Give Your Dog Time To Socialize With Other Pups
Being a social animal, sometimes it is also good for your dogs to be
with its own kind. It will help your dog experience something new and
being with other dogs can encourage it to start doing some activities.
Though you still have to care about your pet’s behavior towards this
situation.
Take Your Dog Somewhere
Whether it’s just a short walk to the park or a short drive
somewhere, it could mean a lot to your dogs. Like humans experiencing
emotional trouble, dogs also feel better when travelling to and
experiencing a new place. It could also include activities that you do
together and most importantly, you are spending time together.
Conclusion
As dogs have emotions, too, we should also care about how they feel.
They are always a great companion for us so why not be a good companion
for them, too. Learning about simple things like these will help us
understand our furry friends more. In case of situations that seem hard
to handle, we can always seek for the vets’ help.
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