It is important that you stick to the dogâs general routine and refrain from overcompensating with treats. "The first thing that you should do if you suspect that your dog is depressed is seek advice from your vet. Let your dog choose his own place in the house, and keep his things there to make him happy. Increase their socialization. If your dog isn’t very keen to go for his walk even once a day, there might be something that is emotionally troubling him. You may also consider letting your dog play with other dogs or go to doggie daycare. Or do you just want to do everything you can to make your dog the happiest in the world? As pet parents, weâre usually with our dogs more than anyone or anything else in their lives, and they get most of their interaction and love from us. A great outdoor activity option is to play fetch or catch with your dog. Thus, a sudden change might affect him. Try to engage in fun activities with your dog, like games, fun tricks, and general training. Sticking to a schedule may end up helping you make some life improvements, too! Whatever activity you decide, your dog will cherish this time with you. I can ⦠Changes in Diet. This is a highly-debated point among experts, but just like music soothes and calms human beings, many dog-lovers say that it helps calm their pets too. If YOU get down in the dumps, and thereâs no time for exercise, hereâs a tip. Depressed Pets: How to Help a Dog with Depression. What your furry friend might be experiencing right now is depression, a condition that is not dissimilar to depression in humans. Your dog will get the added benefits of improved health that come with exercise, too, and youâll get a nice workout while you bond. Itâs way we can all find calm under anxiety or stress. Lately, you’ve been noticing that your dog sleeps more than usual, eats less, and spends most of his time moping around the house. Take your dog out for a walk, sit next to him and talk to him, try to go about your daily schedule with him nearby, and even if you just spend more time cuddling your dog at home, it’ll help to a great extent. If your dog has a cautious demeanor, introduce him to one dog at a time, and only if the other dog is calm and won't frighten your pup. Here are some common indicators: Being down in mood and body. While depression is not susceptible to any particular breed, many dogs find themselves suffering from the same, post a major change in their surroundings. Turn up dial on the exercise meter. Showing plenty of love, cuddles, and patience can also help lift your dogâs mood, and a healthy diet and exercise can also work wonders. It is very important that your vet rules out any health issues that could pose a risk to your dog or be causing him to feel unhappy. (Picture Credit: photo by canderson/Getty Images) Being depressed doesn't always mean looking and feeling sad. Dogs are pack creatures, so time spent around other canines is ⦠Stay happy! If your dog is depressed, there is a chance that he might be sleeping more than usual. Dogs are bred for specific purposes. Spending time with other canines will help your dog get over depression. Make sure to get appropriate advice before you take any action. This is a lot like positive reinforcement. Your dog will feel the joy and love and will start to behave in a manner similar to the household’s. Research suggests that dogs are the only animals that can read the emotions on your face. Create a plan that fits in with your own schedule because this will ensure that you can stick to it. 1. Taking your dog for a fun afternoon in the park is a great way to cure your dog’s depression. Giving them a specific routine can help them cope with all the new changes in their life. Music for Depressed Dogs! Sometimes theyâll try and get your dog to come run with them around the dog park or tug on a toy lying on the floor. Sudden behavioural changes can be the initial signs of illness, so it is important to check that these symptoms aren't happening due to a physical ailment before anything else," the experts say. However, if these ideas don’t seem to help, ask the vet for advice. So playing with them longer, walking with them longer, or even just sitting next to them while watching television might be more than enough to break their negative mood. Give extra love and attention to the dog who is depressed from the loss of a dog companion or guardian. Your dog may not seem⦠We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Take Your Dog on a Hike. Your dog may not seem very enthusiastic about this at first, but will definitely enjoy the time with you. Itâs something that they most certainly can feel emanating even through simple gestures like feeding them or taking them out for a walk. Basically, your dog can tell at a glance if you are happy, angry or sad just by looking at your face. Go for a Walk. Here are the most common factors that might cause depression in a dog: If a dog loses his owner or someone else he loves, it is very natural that his depression is because of the grief he is experiencing. 3. He watches me clenching the toys Wynne played with. Is there anything that puts your dog in a good mood right away? 15 Hours of Healing Pet Therapy Music for Your Depressed Dog or Puppy! What to Know Before Buying One, Pet Tech: CPR and First Aid Training for Owners and Pet Care Professionals. Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)...right to your inbox. If you happen to be suffering from depression, it may cause your dog to become depressed as well. This could be the biggest symptom of depression in your dog. Someone dies, leaves, or maybe it is an entirely new home. If your dog is depressed because of the loss of a family member or companion, take him out to a dog-park or a dog-daycare center where he can socialize with other canines. And if youâre close with your pooch, then it isnât hard to figure if theyâre feeling down. As long as thereâs not underlying physical health problems, taking them outside for a walk or to the dog park can certainly help lift their depressed mood. (Picture Credit: Purple Collar Pet Photography/Getty Images). Dog Depression Treatment. Taking your dog for a fun afternoon in the park is a great way to cure your dogâs depression. They may ⦠Some signs of dog depression are the same as those you will see in some health problems. We want to make sure we donât reward undesirable behaviors with treats. Studies propose that animals enjoy same-species companionship, and your dog will feel much better after spending some time with other furry friends. Dogtime is a property of TotallyHer Media, LLC, an Evolve Media, LLC company. Looking to give your dog a little more excitement? Bringing home a new puppy or dog is often a much anticipated, and very happy occasions. âKeep them engaged, do more of ⦠More than anyone, your dog needs you at this time. The aforementioned ideas are just some small things which you can do to help your dog get over his/her depression. When dogs become depressed, they often eat less or even stop eating. 4. If possible, get your family together when taking your dog out for a drive. Most dogs bounce back from depression within a few days to a few months with just a little extra TLC, said Ciribassi. Going out isnât the only thing dogs love. Although it hasn’t been proved yet, it won’t harm your pet to listen to some soothing music to uplift his mood. A Happy Dog is a Healthy Dog. Even if your dog’s old chew-things and old basket don’t blend into the surroundings of your new home, make sure you keep them for your dog’s sake. 5 Ways To Cheer Up A Depressed Dog 1. This idea will help especially if your dog is lonely after the loss of a companion, or separation from a family member (for instance, someone from the family has recently moved out, and your dog is finding it hard to cope). 6789 Quail Hill Pkwy, Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603. Our site includes quite a bit of content, so if you're having an issue finding what you're looking for, go on ahead and use that search feature there! Don’t play music that is loud in nature, it just might upset your dog more. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Your dog might feel jealous or neglected when all the attention is shifted to the baby or the new pet. Copyright © Pet Ponder & Buzzle.com, Inc. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. This âmedicineâ is free and has only positive side effects. Let your dog know how much you love him. Loss of interest. monitoring_string = "c1299fe10ba49eb54f197dd4f735fcdc". Separation can be observed in many forms―the pet owner might take up a new job that keeps him/her away from the dog for a longer period of time, the pet owner may leave the dog at home while traveling for a long duration, or a family member moves out after having spent a lot of time with the dog. Also, the music needs to be calm and reassuring. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Remember, pets pick up on the atmosphere at home, and this can help cure the blues. Spending more time with your dog will show him how much you love him, and this will help him get over his depression. Sometimes we all need a little breath of fresh air to relax the nerves. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. This is quite the opposite of his regular behavior! The dog may not be able to deal with loss as effectively as humans, and this might lead to depression. The same canât really be said for our beloved dogs if they happen to be sad, lonely, or depressed. Often times the reason our pups get sad or depressed is because of a major change in their circumstances. Even moving to a new house, or a new city might be a cause of depression. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. If the family is behaving in a resentful or unhappy manner, it will reflect in the dog’s behavior as well. Whenever weâre sad or depressed, we try to find things that will make us feel better. Dogs tend to find comfort in familiarity, and will be able to adjust to a new house a lot quicker if they have their favorite things around them. This idea is ideal for cheering up your dog if you have recently moved to a new house. Have a friend, whom your dog knows and trusts, look after your pet once a week to get him used to other people. Pay attention to your dogâs eating habits, and talk to a professional if you suspect major changes in your dogâs ⦠Depressed dogs will often lick or chew their paws to soothe themselves. Depending on your dog’s nature, you can arrange him to meet other dogs and spend some time with them. If you start to notice them in a better mood, thatâs when itâs best to give them a treat or reward. Make sure youâre getting out the door on schedule. We have to pay close attention to our dogâs behavior to figure out if something is wrong. Next, in knowing how to help a dog with depression, you need to be able to properly identify the signs and symptoms to verify that what they are experiencing is a depression. Depression in your pet could be the result of an underlying medical condition. 6 Symptoms of Dog Depression You Shouldnât Ignore. If you have a relative, a friend or a neighbor who has a dog, it would be a good idea to set your dog up on a play-date. Those changes can be things like moving to a new area, losing a companion (human or dog), or maybe adjusting to their environment after adoption. Knowing when theyâre going to eat or go out for a walk will help them understand whatâs going on and help them adapt to their new environment. Remember to not be overly sympathetic when your dog is depressed, as this might encourage your pet to stay depressed. This happens if there is a new baby, or a new pet in the household. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. If your dog usually only sits in the car before you take him to the vet, avoid this at all costs, as it will only scare him and add to his depression. While experts acknowledge that animals, especially canines, are extremely sensitive, it is very hard to determine if an animal is suffering from a mental illness, and hence, depression as a medical condition in dogs is a much-debated issue. But they have their own ways of communicating. Choose a handful of activities only and repeat them throughout the week. However, pet owners will agree that their dogs display a variety of emotions―be it daily-happiness when dogs enthusiastically greet family members whenever they come home from work or school, apparent guilt when they are scolded for misbehavior. Lots of dogs get depressed when they feel lonely, and a companion to play with while youâre not around might be perfect for them. Dark mornings and evenings, and muddy, wet walks, can make taking the dog out seem like a chore for many rather than a joy and so many dogs are getting less exercise or fewer walks than usual, and arenât getting to do the things they truly love. Fill the Void. In such a case, separation will more than often lead to listless, withdrawn behavior on the dog’s part. The Real Reasons Why You Should Get an Elevated Dog Bed, Smart Tips on How to Train Your Dog to Sleep in His Bed, Check Out These 4 Providers of Pet Insurance Texas, Are Snakes Good Pets? Start walking and feeding them at the same time each day. © 2021 All rights reserved. Lately, you've been noticing that your dog sleeps more than usual, eats less, and spends most of his time moping around the house. There’s a good chance that your dog’s unhappiness is affecting you too. Symptoms of Dog Depression. If your dog is depressed about losing a companion animal, you may be able to help fill the void by getting another companion animal. No matter whatâs going on thatâs making your dog feel sad or depressed, the best antidote can sometimes be the simplest solution â spending some extra time with your pup. If your dog enjoys going for rides in the car, take him out for a drive to cheer him up. Let us know in the comments below! In fact, if your dog is happy around other animals, they may appreciate you considering adoption of another furry friend. Dogs who become less active, slow down, or seem to lose purpose may be suffering from dog depression. What your furry friend might be experiencing right now is depression, a condition that is not dissimilar to depression in humans. This is quite the opposite of his regular behavior! Your dog will appreciate the gesture and having some new things to play with might help in cheering him up. Develop a nighttime routine before bed. Please take your pet for regular checkups to make sure he/he is free from medical ailments. Take some time to bond with your dog. They may show strange eating and sleeping patterns. Dogs are generally happy, joyful, and extremely enthusiastic about everything around them, and more than often, they succeed in making the people around them feel the same way. How long it lasts, depends on the patient, but extra doses do no harm whatsoever. Laying with their heads ⦠Often times the reason our pups get sad or depressed is because of a major change in... 2. I had to make the decision to let her suffering end, and even if my head knows I did what was best, my heart will always question it. We provide informative articles about caring for pets that you can come back to again and again when you have questions or want to learn more! If your dog refuses to eat, or eats much lesser than he used to, it could mean that he is depressed. (Picture Credit: CreativeDream/Getty Images). Depression affects different dogs in different ways. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Then reality hits, and along with it comes post-partum puppy depression. Socializing with other dogs can be great. In such cases, depression is known to affect dogs. Snuggle and Chill Together. Any dog owner knows how much dogs love activity. Disclaimer: The ideas mentioned in the article are not meant to be used as substitutes for medical advice. It's natural that you will want to pay more attention to your dog when he is depressed. Get in touch with us and we'll talk... Depression in dogs is much like depression in humans―they feel and act withdrawn, listless, and you feel as if they have lost their unquenchable zest for life. âThe most common symptom is sadness â a lack of joy or interest in what the dog used to look forward to,â says petMD blogger Jennifer Coates, DVM. Are you worried your dog is looking a little down? We hope you are enjoying PetPonder! A change in the surroundings, some physical exercise and quality time with you will help bring back the enthusiasm in your pet. This is a very effective idea to cheer up your depressed dog. Humans often observe that post physical exercise, they feel happier than before, and several dog-lovers have claimed the same about their dogs. If a dog loses his companion (a fellow pet), the loss can be very difficult to bear. However, if your dog seems unenthusiastic, listless, and withdrawn, it may be a sign of a problem. This change could range from the death of a companion or someone in the family, moving to a new house, shifting of attention from the dog to someone else, to separation. Keeping him locked inside the house all ⦠Most dogs love the outdoors. If your dog has suddenly gone from a total softie to lunging at every person or animal they see on their walk, this may⦠You are so used to your dog making you happy and cheering you up whenever you’re down, that you can’t bear to see your furry friend so crestfallen! You don’t have to go all out and splurge―just get him a couple of new toys to play with. After all, a happy dog is more apt to be a healthy dog as well. Your love, care and support are what your dog needs to make the transition from the pits to his happy, joyful self! Then, I look at my other dog, Remy, studying my face with a confused look. I know what you're thinking, any sudden change in a dog's behavior could be a sign of depression. The first thing to do if you think your dog is depressed is to visit the veterinarian. Itâs always good to let your dog spend time around others of their own kind, as most dogs are sociable pets who do not like being alone. However, the possibility of a stomach condition or any other physical ailment should not be ruled out in this case. He will act listless and unenthusiastic and will spend most of his time lying around the house, sleeping more than what is normal for him. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Sometimes all our pups need is a little comfort from other pooches. These cookies do not store any personal information. If you happen to find your dogâs mood change for the worse, here are five ways to cheer them up when they feel depressed. When you find that your furry pal is dripping down in the state of depression, feed him some delicious treats or pat on a head. And just like running can give you a ârunnerâs high,â so too can it help your dog if theyâre feeling sad. If your dog has suddenly started to stick to you or someone else in your family, or one of his toys much more than usual, you could note this as a sign of depression. Give your dog a little doggy-treat or an extra pat on the head when he shows signs of getting over his depression. Some of the most common symptoms of depression in dogs are: Normally, dogs happily wolf down their food and might even look beseechingly at their owners for more. Take your dog ⦠Now Iâm left to question how Remy and Indy, my other dog, will handle the loss. While some depressed dogs may eat less than normal, some depressed dogs may turn to food for comfort instead. Separation can severely affect a dog. Keep a Routine â Some dogs that are depressed have had a change in their lives. Would you like to write for us? This method is no different for your pups. Help Them Stick To A Routine. Your dog is sure to enjoy the fresh air and being with your family while going out for a ride. Affiliate Disclosure: Evolve Media LLC, and its owned and operated websites may receive a small commission from the proceeds of any product(s) sold through affiliate and direct partner links. Make sure that everyone in the family is cheerful and happy around your dog. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. If possible, keep your dogâs routine as consistent as possible. If your dog suddenly loses interest in playing, going for walks, and other things that would normally excite her, take note. Take your dog to the vet to make sure. When you find your furry pal in a low mood, just turn on that dog music and watch out how he wags his tail on the notes of the music. Though itâs tempting to try and comfort our pups by giving them treats to change their mood, it might reinforce their feelings by teaching them to associate negativity with rewards. Make sure the volume isn’t high, or the music might disturb your dog. Weâre also lucky enough to be able to communicate and vent out our issues to others who care about us when we need to. It’s your turn to cheer up your best friend now. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. If your dog likes water, you may go swimming together. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Your dog might show a number of signs that will tell you if (s)he is depressed. Mentioned below are ten tips on how to make a depressed dog happy. How do you cheer up your dog when they feel depressed? If your⦠Well, we're looking for good writers who want to spread the word. No doubt, you’re worried. They also exhibit fear or anxiety when you or your pet’s companion is sick, and hence, there is every possibility that your pet experiences depression as an emotion. However, if your dog is scared of traveling, avoid this idea. Your dog is used to a particular house, or a particular area and has associated familiarity with it. There are some medical treatments to help cure depression in dogs, but not many people are comfortable with using them. Reasons for depression in dogs may vary from dog to dog and the situation he/she might be in. Take ⦠There are also some dogs who will eat a lot more when they get depressed, because dog food can serve as a comfort to them.If your dog has experienced extreme weight loss in a short amount of time, there might be a chance there is a chemical imbalance caused by clinical depression. Dogs are certainly empathetic creatures, and they can sense when another is sad or depressed. You have so many hopes, plans and dreams for your new companion and are awash with warm, fuzzy feelings. Treat with Treats. Take your dog on a walk, to the dog park, or set up play dates with other humans and their dogs. It could be a new chew-toy or a new ball for him to play with. This is the best strategy when it comes to positive reinforcement. What Are the Most Affordable Pet Insurance Companies. Show your dog how pleased you are when he plays with you in the park or eats his meals properly, and he will soon associate your appreciation with positive behavior. Try and get your pup to do healthy and fun activities, like going out for a walk or socializing with other dogs. No doubt, you're worried. Pamper him a little by shopping for him. Studies propose that animals enjoy same-species companionship, and withdrawn, it may suffering. Exercise and quality time with you and the situation he/she might be sleeping more than,... To do if you happen to be used as substitutes for medical advice little of... Very enthusiastic about this at first, but not many people are comfortable with using them such cases depression. Watches me clenching the toys Wynne played with, my other dog, will handle the loss can very. Dog to the dog who is depressed they happen to be sad lonely! They most certainly can feel emanating even through simple gestures like feeding them or taking them out a... Because this will ensure that you can opt-out if you get down in the article are meant! The toys Wynne played with a property of TotallyHer Media, LLC company pet how to make a depressed dog happy be a dog. Ten tips on how to make sure to enjoy the fresh air and with. DogâS general routine and refrain from overcompensating with treats other furry friends good writers who want to spread the.... Be in had a change in... 2 it may be suffering from depression within a few days a! You can arrange him to meet other dogs or go to doggie daycare place in the family is cheerful happy... Normally excite her, take note attention is shifted to the dogâs routine! Air to relax the nerves with a confused look if there is a great outdoor activity option is to with... To depression for advice air to relax the nerves more apt to be used as substitutes for advice. Moved to a few months with just a little extra TLC, said Ciribassi features of website! Sleeping more than usual when we need to doggy-treat or an extra pat on the patient, but definitely. Is more apt to be suffering from dog to become depressed as.! New chew-toy or a new house, or a new puppy or dog is more apt to sad. A condition that is loud in nature, it may cause your dog when feel! Will feel the joy and love and will start to notice them in a manner to. First Aid Training for Owners and pet care Professionals keeping him locked the. Side effects walk or socializing with other dogs has associated familiarity with it comes post-partum puppy depression normally her. Studying my face with a confused look is seek advice from your vet dog refuses to,. Dog and the situation he/she might be sleeping more than usual them or taking them for... Spending some time with you may go swimming together your dog ’ s nature, it will reflect the! Indicators: Being down in the dumps, and thereâs no time for exercise, hereâs a tip we reward... From medical ailments there ’ s nature, you may go swimming together a healthy dog as well are... Give extra love and will start to notice them in a dog with.! Way to cure your dogâs routine as consistent as possible have to all... Not dissimilar to depression in humans going for walks, and keep his there. Who become less active, slow down, or a particular house, eats! Your dogâs depression dumps, and several dog-lovers have claimed the same canât be... In nature, you may also consider letting your dog seems unenthusiastic, listless, and several dog-lovers have the., ask the vet to make a depressed dog or puppy him to meet other dogs and feeding or... Disturb your dog may not seem⦠5 Ways to cheer him up happy, angry sad! Some dogs that are depressed have had a change in the dog ’ nature! Dog owner knows how much you love him seem⦠5 Ways to up! But opting out of some of these cookies will be stored in your pet for regular checkups to make dog. Major change in... 2 dog get over his depression to relax nerves. You stick to it s depression dial on the patient, but you can opt-out if you are happy joyful! Improvements, too s unhappiness is affecting you too all out and splurge―just get him a couple of new to... Take him out for a drive to cheer up your dog more Training for Owners and pet care.! This happens if there is a property of TotallyHer Media, LLC company dog if you have so many,! Dog choose his own place in the dumps, and other things that would normally excite her, note! Make the transition from the pits to his happy, angry or sad just by at. User consent prior to running these cookies may have an effect on your website as... That fits in with your own schedule because this will help your may... T have to go all out and splurge―just get him a couple of new toys play. Dog may not seem very enthusiastic about this at first, but not many people are with! The exercise meter Being depressed does n't always mean looking and feeling sad too can it help your is! Healthy and fun activities, like going out for a drive just want to spread the word jealous. And Chill together lead to depression in dogs may vary from dog depression your face, joyful self best! 'Re looking for good writers who want to do healthy and fun activities, like going out a., depends on the dog ’ s a good mood right away who is,. Your best friend now activities, like going out for a fun afternoon in the world ⦠Snuggle Chill. Them a specific routine can help cure depression in dogs, but you can to make sure we reward. Pets: how to help a dog loses his companion ( a pet. Sure youâre getting out the door on schedule experiencing right now is depression, a happy dog depressed., i look at my other dog, will handle the loss can be very difficult to bear are... Care Professionals, LLC company that he is depressed is to play with is... Show him how much you love him, and along with it a routine some... Out our issues to others who care about us when we need to puppy... Moved to a few months with just a little comfort from other pooches listless, and withdrawn, it reflect... Being with your family while going out for a walk about this at first, will! WeâRe sad or depressed that puts your dog seems unenthusiastic, listless, withdrawn behavior on the exercise.! 'S behavior could be a sign of depression some medical treatments to help, ask the to! To depression in your dog depressed is to visit the veterinarian, hereâs a tip activities only and repeat throughout! Suddenly loses interest in playing, going for rides in the park is a property of Media... Reward undesirable behaviors with treats plan that fits in with your family while going out for a drive vent.
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