There are times, however, when there are noticeable changes in your dog’s mood. Loss of appetite, inactivity and loss of interest are just some things that would make individuals wonder what’s wrong with their dogs.
Dogs and people share a common bond that dates back centuries. This symbiotic relationship has made people sensitive to the subtle signs that all is not well with their dogs and vice versa.
Here are some signs that indicate your dog is experiencing depression:
Change in Eating Habits
A depressed dog either eats less or more than usual, which exposes them to common health problems that dogs face. Try to maintain the eating schedule of your pet to help them cope. Give them a definite time to eat and remove the bowl when they finish eating. This keeps them nourished despite the mood swings and change in habit.
Loss of Interest
Mangere Veterinary Clinic cites that a dog’s waning interest in their usual activities or a change in their behaviour is a sign of depression.
A depressed dog displays lethargy–they no longer look forward to playing, going for walks or running around like they used to. Some physical manifestations of depression in dogs include having their tails down or between their legs, drooped ears and an overall sullen look.
To help your dog recover, try introducing a new activity for your dog to enjoy.
Oversleeping
Dogs normally sleep for 14 hours a day. Depressed dogs find it difficult to get up and do the things they love, such as playing and running. Try to keep your pet active throughout the day to overcome this symptom.
Depression takes time to resolve. With enough patience and expert care, dogs can overcome this problem and return to being happy and active.
I noticed some of these signs in my dog, thankfully he got out of his depression after some caring.
This is good to know as I just realised that my dog is going through a phase of depression after my friend died.
I didn’t know dogs get depressed too, this helps me understand my pet even more.