What Are the Symptoms of Dog Depression?
Dog depression symptoms are very similar to those in people, said John Ciribassi, DVM, past president of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. âDogs will become withdrawn. They become inactive. Their eating and sleeping habits often change. They donât participate in the things they once enjoyed.â
But vets warn those symptoms also can mean a dog has a medical problem, so the first course of action should always be a full checkup by a veterinarian. A pet that mopes around and no longer wants to go for walks could simply have pain from arthritis, Beaver says.
Beaver said major changes in a dogâs life could lead to periods of depression. Those include moving into a new home, a new spouse or baby in the household, or adding another pet. Even a change in the dogâs schedule, for instance a stay-at-home owner who takes a job, can cause a dog to get down.
But 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 isnât simply responding to the reactions of other people in the home.
âDogs pick up on our emotions, so if the owner has died, the dog could be responding to the grief of others,â Beaver said. âOr the dog may not be getting the attention heâs accustomed to, which is stressing him out.â
Most dogs bounce back from depression within a few days to a few months with just a little extra TLC, said Ciribassi. âKeep them engaged, do more of the things they like to do, get them a little more exercise, and they should be fine,â he said.
And reward them when they show signs of happiness, Beaver said. âIf the only thing that still gets a little tail wag out of your dog is a car ride, then take him for a series of short rides each day, praising and rewarding him when he appears happier,â Beaver said.
And be careful not to encourage the negative behavior by lavishing a depressed dog with attention and treats while they are moping, Beaver said. The dog will think youâre rewarding them for that behavior.
Sometimes, if the dog is depressed because of the loss of a companion, getting another pet can help, said Ciribassi. But it has to be done carefully with both the familyâs and the dogâs needs taken into account, he said.
If nothing else works, medications can help dogs get past their depression. Karen Sueda, DVM, a diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, said medications for depressed dogs are the same as those used by depressed humans — Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft. She also uses Clomicalm, an FDA approved drug for the treatment of separation anxiety in dogs.
âItâs important that people deal with the problem before it gets too bad,â Sueda said. âBy the time cases get to me, theyâre bad. But most cases can be successfully treated early on with behavior modification and environmental enrichment, so it doesnât have to get to the point where we need to use drugs.â
Beaver said it can take up to two months for drugs to become effective. But unlike people, who often remain on antidepressants for years, most dogs can get better in six to 12 months and then be taken off the drugs, she said.
In the end it wasnât the car rides or dog parks or even the antidepressants Richer tried to help her dog, Terrace. Instead it was a friendly rescue dog she agreed to foster for a week. âBenji walked in, ran up the stairs, found Terrace behind the mirror and when I got up there he was lying next to her and licking her,â Richer said. âWithin a week, she was better. Now sheâs the happiest dog ever.â
Other Conditions That Can Be Confused With Dog Depression
Unfortunately, the symptoms of dog depression can be similar to other medical conditions. Chronic pain is often mistaken as depression in older pets, and to further confuse matters, stress from depression can make underlying medical conditions emerge.
Canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CCD) is a condition associated with the aging of a dog’s brain, which can affect their awareness, memory, learning, and response to certain stimuli. CCD can have signs similar to depression. If you have an older pet (usually 8 years and above) that is starting to show these signs, ask your vet about CCD.
If your dog is showing signs that are consistent with depression, especially in the absence of a life-altering event, they should be evaluated by their primary care veterinarian to look for an underlying cause.
If your dog’s symptoms of depression are accompanied by any other signs, like vomiting, diarrhea, severe lethargy, significant aggression, peeing or pooping more often, and so on, take your dog to the vet right away.
If you suspect your dog is suffering from depression, think about what has changed or is changing in their life, such as changes in their environment or social situations. Any significant change to a pet’s normal routine can cause stress and/or depression. This is not a complete list, but dog depression can be caused by:
- The addition of a new family member (human or pet)
- A change in work or school routines, like a pet parent going back to work after an extended stay at home
Pets can also feel empathy with pet parents, including depression. A 2019 study in Sweden looked at the concentration of long-term stress hormones in humans and their pets and found that dogs had similar stress levels as their owners.
They concluded that “the dogs…mirror the stress levels of their owners rather than the owners responding to the stress in their dogs.” Dogs can pick up on our moods and recognize our facial expressions and body language. They know when we are happy or sad, and our moods can affect them.4
How do I know if my dog has depression?
The symptoms of depression in dogs are similar to those experienced by people.
Common symptoms include low activity levels, a loss in interest in the things they once enjoyed, and a change in eating and/or sleeping habits.
Some dogs may also show signs of aggression, including uncharacteristic howling or whining.
How to Cure Depression in Dogs! Dog Depression Signs and Advice!
Dogs occasionally suffer from bouts of depression. When dogs are depressed, they often appear sad and withdrawn. They can even lose interest in play.
Although dogs do not have the same capacity for reasoning as we humans, it doesnt mean they cannot experience depression. In dogs, depression is not exactly the same complex clinical disorder that it is in people. However, as a loving dog owner, you will be relieved to learn that you can actually help your dog if it is addressed. Often, the first step to doing this is getting your dog in for a veterinary visit.