What to do if your Dog is Acting Sad
If your dog is not acting normal, has been sleeping more than usual, or has lost his appetite, you should probably call your veterinarian and see if you should bring him in for a visit. The veterinarian may give you some ideas of other things to try first if the symptoms are not severe.
However, if you believe that your dog may be ill or injured, you should make an appointment or go to an emergency veterinary hospital.
There is no way to prevent sadness in your dog since it usually happens for reasons that are out of your control. If the reason your dog is sad is something you can control, you can help with some of these suggestions:
The cost of sadness in your dog may be nothing more than spending extra time with him. However, in some cases, dogs may need medication and treatment for an illness, injury, or clinical depression. This can cost between $50 for a veterinarian visit to several hundred dollars for medication and treatment. The average cost for treating a sad canine is usually about $100.
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Why Acting Sad Occurs in Dogs
Some dogs are just not as excitable as others. However, if your dog is normally active and happy and he suddenly becomes sullen and sleepy, he may be sad or depressed for some reason. There are many reasons your dog may seem sad or depressed such as:
Illness
If your dog is not feeling well, he may seem sad or depressed. Just like humans, dogs tend to mope around when they are sick or injured. He may just lay on the floor and stare off into space or sleep more than he usually does. There may be other symptoms you may not have noticed that make more sense now if your dog is acting more sad than usual. Some of these symptoms may include:
Loss of Someone
If someone in the household is no longer there for any reason such as with a child who goes off to college or moves out. Also, your dog can be upset if you are not home as much as you used to be, as in the case of going to work after being home for a long time. Some of the other reasons your dog may feel loss include:
Addition to the Family
Change in the family is one of the biggest causes of sadness in your dog. If you get married or have a baby, or if you have a guest that is staying with you, this can cause your dog to think he is being replaced and he may become jealous and sad. This can also happen if you get another pet, whether it is another dog, cat, or even a hamster; if attention is being taken away from your dog he may become sad.
Moving to A New Home
Anytime you change your dog’s home life, he can get unsettled and anxious. However, some dogs can become very sad, especially if they have been in the home for a long time. Your dog may be confused and wonder why he has been taken away from his home. He may hide somewhere and not want to socialize. Most dogs will get used to the new place eventually with no problem but some dogs may need a little extra help.
Clinical Depression
Believe it or not, pets can have clinical depression just like humans. The cause of clinical depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain and can usually be treated with medication. Some of the medications that your veterinarian may choose for your dog are:
Your dog may have been abused before you got him and you may not know about it. Being abused in the past can cause depression years later, similar to what happens with humans. In humans, this is called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and it can be extremely hard for your dog to process.
My dog is depressed because of my new dog
If he is at the point, where he still eats but he seems downcast, we recommend that you take it as an alert. Has there been any drastic change in his life? Do you spend less time with him? Is there someone new in his life; maybe a second puppy? Analyze all these issues and remedy them.
The first thing you have to do is to follow your responsibility as PetLover: spend more time by his side. Resume the walks with him through the park and stimulate his brain. Do not forget that dogs are great trackers, so encourage him to play games that require him to use his nose.
Depression in dogs – Symptoms and What to Do
If your dog shows signs of being downcast, so much that he even seems to be depressed, you have to act. Sadness in dogs is usually the first sign of serious diseases such as parvovirus, distemper, or even cancer. Also, an upset stomach or a deep feeling of dissatisfaction.
In this article, we will talk about the main causes why your dog does not get up, spends all day sleeping, does not want to eat, and is depressed. Remember that these tips are always in general lines. Count with our online ethologists to get a personalized consultation without obligation.