| Depression in dogs is very real and most likely will | | | | watched very carefully as it can very quickly lead to |
| affect your pet at some point in their lifetime, much | | | | dehydration which can have catastrophic results. If |
| like depression affects all humans at one point or | | | | your dog suddenly starts to shed excessively or |
| another. Dogs are absolutely no different, but in | | | | looses patches of hair, they are doing so because of |
| several cases there may be a very fine line of | | | | the loss of nutrients in their system. |
| whether your dog is actually depressed or has a | | | | The next symptom will be very low energy levels |
| medical problem developing. For this reason, it is very | | | | even in the most spirited of dogs. If this occurs, it will |
| helpful for any dog owner to have at least an idea of | | | | seem like no matter what your dog does, they will |
| some of the potential causes, symptoms, as well as | | | | show almost no enthusiasm at all. |
| the various treatments that are available for | | | | Depression in dogs will also cause your dog to |
| depression. | | | | suddenly want to be left totally alone. The normal |
| Causes: | | | | very loyal dog will suddenly start to wander into a |
| The symptoms of depression in dogs will of course | | | | quiet room, or in some cases, may even start to |
| depend on the actual personality of your dog, but | | | | hide. One of the telling signs that your dog is |
| there are very common causes that will affect | | | | depressed is this symptom, especially if they refuse |
| almost every dog. The most common causes of | | | | to move their heads when you call them or walk into |
| depression in your pet will be the loss of another dog | | | | the room. |
| in the household or the loss of their owner. Dogs by | | | | Anxiety is yet another possible symptom of |
| their very nature are meant to be in a natural pack | | | | depression and you will know this sign when you see |
| with other animals, and if your dog has had a | | | | it. Your dog will jump at the slightest of things, and |
| longtime companion it will be very hard losing that | | | | they will pace and look to be unable to find any place |
| friendship. | | | | in your home where they are comfortable. One of |
| They have literally shared everything for a very long | | | | the signs of this form of depression is your dog |
| time and just like a human losing a very close | | | | following you everywhere, but still does not seem to |
| member of the family, it will be extremely stressful | | | | want to interact. Dogs are notorious for following |
| for your dog. For this reason, if at all possible, it is | | | | their owner, but not interacting is a real warning sign. |
| recommended that you get another dog as quickly | | | | But there is one final symptom that is a real warning |
| as you can. It may take a few weeks for your dog | | | | sign of depression, and that is aggression. If your dog |
| to become familiar with their new friend, but they | | | | has always been very mild and even tempered and |
| should return to normal within weeks. | | | | suddenly becomes aggressive and snips or growls, it |
| Losing or changing their owners for a myriad of | | | | may be time to seek treatment for the depression |
| reasons is also very stressful for a dog. There is a | | | | they are going through. |
| very strong bond that has developed in most cases | | | | Treatments: |
| and the owner is the only thing the dog has ever | | | | Treatments for depression in dogs all starts with |
| known. Moving to a new house or new surroundings | | | | some extra tender loving care with your dog. If the |
| can also cause depression in dogs, as well as a new | | | | cause of the depression is the death of their |
| addition to the family. If your dog is a single pet and | | | | companion, if it is possible, bring another dog into the |
| a new baby arrives, it is a natural reaction simply | | | | household. Adopting a dog from a shelter has many |
| because they are no longer the center of attention. | | | | advantages, but this will be a huge advantage for |
| Separation anxiety can also cause depression, | | | | both dogs. The adopted dog is most likely depressed |
| especially if your dog is not used to it. We think of | | | | for many of the same reasons and together you |
| dogs as our best friends and loyal companions, but to | | | | may see even a stronger bond develop. |
| them we are their entire life and reason for | | | | One thing an owner should not do is reward your |
| existence. If you are going to be gone for awhile, | | | | dog for anything if they stay depressed. Reward |
| keeping your dog at least in the same surrounding if | | | | them instead for positive behavior. Simply taking |
| possible will help. Placing them in a kennel is | | | | them for a ride or a short walk and than rewarding |
| sometimes the only alternative, but you can image | | | | them for something positive will bring most dogs |
| what must be going through their minds when this | | | | back to normal in a very short period of time. Even |
| happens. | | | | something as small as a tail wag or an alert gesture is |
| Bad weather or the complete lack of exercise may | | | | a very positive sign and should be rewarded. But if |
| also trigger depression in your dog. All dogs, | | | | there is nothing else that seems to work, there are |
| regardless of their size or age, love to go outdoors | | | | medications that you can give to your dog, and you |
| and run and play. If you live in an area with an | | | | might want to discuss the situation in detail with your |
| extended period of bad weather, it is really no | | | | veterinarian. |
| different than what people refer to as cabin fever. | | | | The same depression medications used for humans |
| Symptoms: | | | | can be used for dogs and they will include Prozac, |
| Depression in dogs, when it does occur, will show | | | | Paxil, and Zoloft. There is also an FDA approved drug |
| you several symptoms. However, you should always | | | | used for separation anxiety in dogs called Clomicalm. |
| have your dog checked by your veterinarian to make | | | | Although these should only be used in the toughest |
| sure that it is not a medical condition that may be | | | | of cases, depression should be treated if you can |
| developing. | | | | afford it before in becomes too severe. |
| The first symptom that most any owner will see | | | | Summary: |
| with depression will be a change in the eating habits. | | | | Depression in dogs is very real and will happen to all |
| Again, the similarities with people are quite common, | | | | dogs at some point in their life. The degree of the |
| as your dog may start to eat to extremes and | | | | depression, in most all cases, can be corrected with a |
| acting as if they are never full and always hungry. Or, | | | | lot of love. If you have adopted a pet, it will be very |
| they may do just the opposite, and become very | | | | important to keep depression in mind when they first |
| fussy and only nibble at their food. If your dog does | | | | enter your household. If you where abandoned or |
| stop eating, they will most likely also stop drinking. | | | | left without the only thing that you ever loved, it |
| Weight loss in dogs is very uncommon, as well as | | | | would be just as depressing; and a dog is no |
| very unhealthy, unless it is intended. It should be | | | | different. |