Did you know that even your pet dog can suffer from depression? As with people, we shouldn’t underestimate the mental state of our dogs. How to recognize it and what to do about it?
According to experts, dogs suffer from depression because we don’t know how to behave towards them. A lot of people treat dogs like people. They don’t understand their expressions and needs and don’t know how to treat them according to their nature. But the cause may even be the seasons or some change in the dog’s life – birth of a child, death of a family member or another pet, and so on.
Depression in dogs is different than in people. Because of the absence of a second signal system, they don’t have self-reflection or a preview of what is actually happening.
Dogs are also very sensitive creatures. They can sense emotions very well and understand them and likewise need to accept them. They are, moreover, social creatures. If they spend most of the day alone and the few hours they have with their owner are spent in front of the television or with a telephone in hand, the dog will obviously be unhappy. The same applies if their owner is stressed out or likewise depressed. A dog doesn’t want to be bored. They need attention and entertainment.
Just like humans, dogs are more prone to depression for short days. They also have the hormone melatonin, which is secreted in darkness. This makes sure we fall asleep at night and wake up in the morning. It’s responsible for drowsiness, but also dampens a good mood. The long winter nights cause it to be excreted more and in some individuals, whether people are dogs, this increased level of the hormone can lead to depression.
And how can you recognize if your dog is depressed?
There’s a change in their appetite. When the dog is sad, they either lose their appetite and lose weight, or vice versa they use food as a kind of consolation and if given the chance, will overeat.
They sleep more than usual. Dogs mostly sleep while you’re at work. But if they continue to sleep after you get home and barely react to your presence, it could mean depression.
They show signs of general apathy. They lose interest in playing, going for walks or other things that they otherwise enjoyed. Everything they do may seem to be in slow motion.
A symptom of psychological problems may even be the excessive licking of paws. Depressed dogs often lick or nibble their paws to calm down.
They look for solitude. They spend more time than usual alone and can even try to hide themselves.
Any other type of unusual behavior can also be a sign. They can start to destroy things or growl at other dogs they’ve known for years, and they can even start to be aggressive towards dogs and people.
If you notice such behavior in your dog and it continues for some time, you should visit the vet to ensure that their lethargic behavior is not health-related. If it’s a psychological problem, try to figure out the cause. Pay more attention to your dog, be creative and diverse in coming up with things to do together. Ensure your dog isn’t bored. But if the depression persists, your veterinarian can prescribe treatment. In addition to antidepressants, there are a number of natural products that promote mental and physical health during periods of increased mental stress. For example, Alavis Relax or Bach essences – sadness in a dog. If therefore you are expecting to move or there is some other stressful situation, you can think about your pet ahead of time and ease the situation for them. You can also look for a dog psychologist.
Have you ever met somebody who cured the depression of his four-legged friend? Or have you noticed this illness yourself in your dog?
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