Depression in Dogs - The Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention of Dog Depression

It may surprise you to learn that dogs, like humans, can experience the signs and symptoms of depression. Canine depression tends to be less common than the human equivalent, but the consequences are similar. A lethargic, lifeless dog who seems to have lost his zeal for life. What can you do to help your canine friend if he appears to be suffering from dog depression? The first step is to understand the cause of your dog’s mental sadness.

Dog depression can manifest itself in a variety of ways. A depressed dog may become disinterested in things he loved to do prior to the depression. For example, a dog who loves to play ball suddenly loses interest in this activity and wants to lie around the house. A depressed dog may also show less interest in eating and may exhibit changes in his sleeping habits such as excessive sleeping or inability to sleep. As in humans, he may express less enthusiasm for his daily activities such as walks or excursions to the park. In extreme cases, he may show periods of restlessness and aggression.

What do you do if you think your dog is suffering from depression? The first course of action would be to rule out underlying medical problems that can mimic dog depression such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, kidney disorders and other chronic illnesses. Once a medical etiology is ruled out, you should try to determine what has changed in your dog's life. Has a member of your family recently gone off to college? Has there been a human or canine death in your family that your dog could be mourning over? Has your dog's routine been changed recently? All of these can lead to insecurity in your dog and manifest as depressive symptoms. While you may not be able to control all of these factors, if you can identify a cause, you may be able to address your dog's depression more directly.

Some other measures you can take to help alleviate your depressed dog's symptoms are to increase his activity level. You might try taking him on some long walks as well as establish some play time where you and your dog can play ball or toss around his favorite toys. Sometimes helping your dog to socialize more can make a difference. Do you have a dog park in your area where you and your dog could spend some time together? If not, you may want to consider taking your dog to visit a neighbor who has a compatible dog and allow them to interact for short sessions.

If taking the above measures fails to alleviate your dog's depression symptoms, talk to your veterinarian about the possibility of trying a trial of antidepressants. The antidepressants offered to a depressed dog are actually similar to the ones prescribed for humans including Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil. Remember, it may take up to 2 weeks for your dog to show significant improvement on antidepressants. In the meantime, give him lots of love and tummy rubs!