How to Treat a Dog's Depression
A beloved pet is a part of the family. That's why it's so difficult to see a pet become depressed and listless. Moving, adding a new pet or a new baby or experiencing the death of another pet can all cause depression in a pet. If your dog seems to be withdrawing into a depressed state, don't despair. Simple treatment options normally can help dogs bounce back from depression, and medication is available if other treatments do not work. Dogs will usually bounce back to their former demeanor when their bout of depression ends.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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Identify the symptoms of dog depression. Leaders of The American Society of Animal Behavior have said that depression in dogs has similar symptoms to depression in humans. Common signs would include dogs becoming withdrawn, experiencing changes in eating and sleeping habits and not participating in things they used to enjoy.
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Spend more time with your dog to try and get him out of a depressed mode. Spend more time playing games with your dog and doing things he enjoys, like walking, exercising or even riding around in cars. Also, spend more time just petting or cuddling with your dog.
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Reward your dog for showing positive behaviors. When your dog shows signs of happiness, reward him with a treat and pet him. Do not use treats as a way to make your dog happier. When you give a depressed dog treats, he will assume he is being rewarded for his sad behavior. This will only encourage your dog to stay depressed.
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Visit a veterinarian for depression medications if rewarding positive behaviors and spending more time with your dog is not working. Medications for depressed dogs are the same as for depressed humans, which include Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft. It can take two months for depression medication to work on dogs, but dogs should be much improved after 6 to 12 months.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not give dogs depression medication under any circumstance without visiting a vet first.
Depression symptoms in dogs may be a sign of a more serious underlying condition. When symptoms occur, always check with a veterinarian first for possible medical problems.
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Comments
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my mum has a dog and he don't eat he keeps shaking and there saying his not deppersed they hardly take him out anywere. his not playful like he should be wen they are here.
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My poor dog is suffering from a experience from the doctor, no wagging of the tails, just look at us.. real depressed.. :(
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we left our Maltese age 14 months for 2 days. He has his own area nice garden fave toys and bed. Now its summer he sleeps outside in his crate and when we're home from work he is in the house. When we were away neighbours were looking in on him but he was miserable until we came back. Is there anything we can do?
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We have a short hair dachshund & last wk we were on vacation. We took him to the vet for 3 nights of boarding, later my mom picked him up. She has 2 dogs & he fit in great. The day before we picked him up my mom called & said he was very sad. We got home with him & for the past few days he has been very sad. We're giving him extra love & attn, but nothing seems to work. You can tell he wants to perk up but isn't. What should we do?
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lamb487
Dec 17, 2010
Our long-haired dachshund will be six years old at the end of January. She's always been extremely playful and loving. Even after moving homes, she adjusted extremely well. During Thanksgiving, my fiance' and I ended up sick. And ever since then, Grace Ann has seemed "off". Obviously, I don't think we passed anything on to her. I just remember that's when it all began. Her energy level is extremely low. Rarely is she excitable. I have noticed she shivers a lot. She's also began cowering. No traumatic event has taken place. It's all been very sudden. There doesn't seem to be any loss in appetite or water intake. She uses the bathroom regularly. Sometimes when we reach for her, or just slightly touch her back or stomach she'll yelp loudly. My fiance' plans on taking her to the Veterinarian on Monday. I just really hope that nothing is seriously wrong.
