It may seem silly, but it is true that dogs can suffer from depression the same way people do. It is harder to know of course, if a dog is suffering from depression since we can’t ask them. It is not uncommon for dogs to suffer from depression. It is especially common during periods of change. The good news is that it is very rare for a dog to suffer from long-term depression.
Symptoms
Dog depression symptoms, again, are very similar to depression symptoms in people. Your dog may be suffering from depression if he or she exhibits any of the following:
- Becoming withdrawn
- Inactive
- Loss of appetite
- Change in sleeping habits
- No longer participating in things they once enjoyed
It is important to note that these types of symptoms can also indicate other medical problems, therefore the first thing you should do if your dog is showing any of the above symptoms is to schedule a checkup for puppy with his or her local veterinarian. A pet that mopes around and no longer wants to go out for walks could be suffering from something other than depression. For instance, he or she could just be in pain from arthritis.
Cause Of Depression In Dogs
A dog can become depressed during periods of major change in his or her life. These periods of change can include moving into a new home, introducing a new spouse, baby, or pet into the household, even something as little as a change in the dog’s schedule can cause upset.
However, the two most common triggers of severe dog depression are loss of a companion animal and/or the loss of an owner. Dogs pick up easily on emotions. If an owner has died, he or she could be responding to the grief of others.
Treating Depression In Dogs
The good news is that most dogs will bounce back from depression within a few days, and in most worst-case scenarios a few months. All it takes is a little extra time and attention. Keeping your dog engaged and trying to give them plenty of exercise can also be a huge turning point when a dog is depressed. Sometimes they just need to get out more. Reward them when they show signs of happiness, and be careful not to encourage negative behavior.
If your dog is depressed from losing a companion animal, sometimes getting another pet can help. However, it has to be done carefully with both the family’s and dog’s needs being taken into account.
Medications
If none of the above methods seem to be working, sometimes a veterinarian may suggest prescribing a medication to help your dog out of their depressive slump. In this type of situation, your dog would most likely be prescribed the same types of medications that are prescribed for treating depression in people. He or she may be given Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Clomicalm, etc. It can take up to two to three months for drugs to become effective. However, unlike people, who often remain on antidepressants for years, or even a lifetime, most dogs will get better in six to 12 months and can then be taken off of medication.
It is important that pet owners never let depression go for too long without being treated. The longer you hold off on seeking diagnosis and treatment the worse it tends to get and the harder and longer it is to treat. The good news is that most cases can be successfully treated early on with nothing more than behavior modification and a little bit of environmental enrichment.
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