What Causes Depression in Dogs?
Does Fido seem to have the blues? Is she not her usual frisky self? The most typical signs of canine depression are: removing himself from normal family activity, loss of appetite, unplanned weight loss, clinginess, lethargy, excessive sleeping and anxiousness. But don't despair, the remedy is usually pretty simple: structure in time for extra attention with your pet. This could take the form of increased exercise, playtime, obedience training or even snuggle time.
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Canine Depression
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Canine depression is often caused by things like illness, environment, change in routine and loss. In fact, dogs suffer depression for many of the same reasons that people do.
Illness
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When a dog isn't feeling well, it will tend to remove itself from the activity around it in order to rest and recuperate. Being naturally social creatures, though, a dog will feel sad when it's not with its family or "pack." If your dog is on medication, this too may contribute to depression.
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Environment
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Most dogs love to be outside. When circumstances prevent this from happening for several days in a row, your dog could become depressed. Just as humans need a certain amount of sunlight each day to feel emotionally balanced, so do dogs.
Change
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Like many humans, dogs are resistant to change and they like routine. A divorce, a move of residence or a change in its owner's work can cause anxiety in your pet and throw it for an emotional loop. This could manifest itself as depression.
Loss
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Loss is, perhaps, the most common cause of depression in dogs. Being creatures of habit, they are upset when people or other animals that have regularly been in their lives are no longer there, as when your child has moved out of the house or another companion pet has died. Your dog will feel such losses deeply.
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