Just like humans, dogs can get depressed from time-to-time. However, unlike humans, they can’t tell you. They can’t speak to you about the way they are feeling. They can show you, though, and this is why it is important to look out for the key warning signs that your dog is suffering from depression. So, let’s take a look…
Excessive licking – One sign that your dog may not be feeling too great is if he or she licks their paws a lot. This is a sign that your dog is soothing him or herself. If your dog is biting a lot too, this could be because he is depressed.
Hiding or avoidance – This is another key sign that your dog’s emotional state has taken a turn for the worse. If your dog wants to be left alone more often than not and starts hiding from you, this is a strong indication that something is wrong. It could be that your dog is suffering from a physical injury, or it could be purely emotional. Either way, you need to get to the bottom of what is wrong.
Loss of interest – Dogs is usually very excitable characters. If they hear a noise or they sense someone is coming, they will immediately be alert and want to find out what is happening. They like to be in the middle of everything. So once your dog starts showing no interest, this is a worry. If your dog does not want to go for a walk or they show no interest in the activities they once enjoyed, they are probably depressed. In fact, this is very similar to how we react when we are not feeling great, isn’t it?
Changes in sleeping habits – When we are depressed, we tend to sleep a lot more than usual because we simply want to forget. Dogs are the same. If your dog doesn’t want to get out of bed, depression could be the reason for it.
Appetite changes – Last but not least, a change in appetite is another sign that your dog is not feeling too great. This can show itself as your dog eating more than usual because they need comfort. Or, it could mean that they eat less because they do not have interest in food anymore. If you have tried changing dog food and you are still experiencing the same reaction, there is a high chance this is depression.
As you can see, there are a number of different warning signs that your dog may be feeling depressed. If you have noticed any of the signs that have been mentioned above, it is a good idea to investigate further so that you can restore your dog back to his happy self.
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