It is well known that depression is widespread in humans. Dogs, on the other hand, are seen as loyal helpers who support their master or mistress even in difficult times.
Dogs can also suffer from depression. In the following we explain how you can recognize them and what you can do about them.
Key facts at a glance
- Depression in dogs is expressed through a listless, sad impression.
- There are different triggers. This includes over- and under-challenging.
- A veterinarian should always be consulted to rule out physical problems.
- Once the triggers have been eliminated, time and security help to awaken the dog’s zest for life again.
Recognizing depression in dogs
Of course, diagnosing depression in dogs is much more difficult than in humans. After all, affected four-legged friends cannot use words to draw attention to their mental suffering. For this reason, it is important that you as a dog owner keep a close eye on possible signs.
Dogs affected by depression increasingly withdraw from everyday life. They hardly have any fun playing and romping around and their appetite is noticeably decreasing. Depressive dogs often give a depressed, sad impression and hardly react positively to their owner’s attempts at employment.
Of course, such behavior does not necessarily mean that your four-legged friend is suffering from mental problems. However, if the symptoms persist over a longer period of time, you can definitely indicate depression in your dog.
Possible causes of depression in dogs
There are several causes that can lead to depression in dogs. In order to determine this, your empathy as the owner is required. Depression is particularly common in older dogs. This is because they are finding it increasingly difficult to cope with everyday life due to their age-related ailments. Even simple movements can be very tiring and painful for older animals.
If a younger dog suffers from depression, this is in many cases the result of a drastic experience. This can be, for example, the death of a second dog, the death of the master or accommodation in an animal shelter.
Another possible trigger that can lead to depression in dogs is excessive stress. This is caused, for example, by a permanent lack of sleep, a move, constantly recurring dangerous situations in everyday life or excessive physical and mental stress.
The most common causes of depression in dogs at a glance:
- Old age (working dogs in particular often develop depression when they are suddenly no longer used.)
- Stress (e.g. due to lack of sleep or moving house)
- Significant experiences (e.g. the death of the owner)
- An inconsistent upbringing with a lack of clear rules
- Frustration due to the dog being constantly overwhelmed
Treating Depression in Dogs
As an owner, you have a few things you can do to help your dog overcome depression. First of all, however, it is important that you know the exact cause.
For this purpose, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian. The veterinarian can examine your depressed dog and determine whether physical illnesses are possible triggers. In addition, the veterinarian will ask you about your daily routine. In this way, the cause of your dog’s depression can be further narrowed down so that appropriate treatment measures can be taken.
Depression due to underwork
If a young dog suffers from depression, although it has neither physical symptoms nor had to cope with a drastic experience, the reason for this can simply be boredom and under-challenged.
In order to help your depressed dog in this case, you should try to challenge your four-legged friend more. If you keep the animal busy with exciting games, the zest for life will return. In addition, a dog sport appropriate for the breed can be helpful.
Stress-induced depression
If, on the other hand, the cause of your dog’s depression is stress, it is crucial that you reduce it as much as possible. Ensure routine in the everyday life of your four-legged friend. Fixed routines give him security and help him to calm down.
Also, make sure your dog gets enough rest and sleep. Depending on your age, this can be up to 20 hours a day. A dog that is electrified all day is therefore inevitably stressed. This can cause other health problems besides depression.
Depression due to illness
If the veterinarian determines physical complaints as the cause of your dog’s depression during his examination, these must be treated adequately. Which measures are necessary for this depends, of course, on the exact disease.
But once the disease is under control, the symptoms disappear. Your dog will feel fitter again and his zest for life will usually return on its own.
Depression in dogs – our conclusion
As you can see, dogs can suffer from depression too. The possible triggers for mental problems are diverse and require thorough investigation of the causes by the owner and a veterinarian.
But once the causes of your dog’s depression are known, chances are good that you can quickly get them under control with the right measures.