Skip to main content

Do Dogs Get Depressed? - If They Do, What Can You Do About It

Dogs are very close to us and the sad state of their emotions can be heartbreaking. They can also become depressed if they are in pain or suffering from a medical condition. It is natural for them to be depressed and to look for comfort. They have tender bodies, and they need love and attention to feel happy. If you notice that your dog seems to be depressed, there are several things that you can do to help him or her overcome this depression.

dogs depression

Knowing the cause of depression in dogs can make it easier to treat it. Your veterinarian is the best source for information on how to prevent depression in your pet. He or she will be able to help you choose the right medication and to know the best foods to provide for him or her. There are several factors that can contribute to your pet's mood such as old age, a disease, a hormonal imbalance or traumatic events.

Your veterinarian can treat the cause of your dog's anxiety and the resulting depression by prescribing medication for the dogs medical condition. In cases of dogs with seasonal affective disorder and or thyroid disorders your vet can prescribe special treatment. The best thing to do is to avoid stressful situations for your dog and to spend as much time with them as possible. A dog with a sick family member or even a death in the family can be a sensitive situation and can lead to sadness and possibly dogs depression.

If your dog seems to be depressed and has not been prescribed medication to treat the underlying cause of their moodiness then you can try to treat them with counseling. This is an effective way to help your dog to recover from their depression. Your veterinarian may even suggest therapy to help the situation.

The other common cause of dog depression is physical injury. If your dog has had a physical injury that affects their ability to move then this can lead to mood problems. If your dog has a physical injury and is depressed because they can not use their legs, they need some type of special medical treatment. If the injury was too severe, you may want to have your dog see a chiropractor or physical therapist who will be able to assess your dog's overall health and determine if the injury is enough to cause them to be depressed.

There are also some cases of dogs being depressed due to their emotional state. For example, if a dog is miserable because they are going through a divorce then they may be feeling depressed because they cannot connect with you on a personal level. Your furry friend may be having trouble coming back to you emotionally. In these cases it is important to work closely with your veterinarian to determine what the cause of your dogs' emotional state is and to treat that condition. If you are trying to find ways to help your pets feel better without resorting to medications and therapy then you should consider working with a veterinarian.

When it comes to dogs depression, there are many factors that play a role. It might be that the relationship has lost its luster, the person that your dog's owner is in drama with might be causing upset moods in the dog, or there could be a myriad of other reasons for the emotional state. In most cases it is your job to work with your canine friend to keep them as happy and satisfied as possible. There are many things that you can do to help keep them in good emotional health. You should try to take a look at all of your dogs behavior to determine if there is a pattern to the changes in their mood.

Many times dogs will act very differently once they get depressed. Some dogs will become extremely jumpy and energetic while others will sit and meow or lick themselves. You should consider carefully if your dog is exhibiting any unusual behaviors that might be related to their depression. You should try to remember that dogs get depressed and this often happens because they are trying to deal with something that is bothering them in particular. If you feel that your dog is depressed then it is important to make an appointment with the vet right away.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Testing for Depression

  As a child of the eighties, I remember my parents' excitement over the idea of testing for depression in adults. The thought of taking a pill every day to "make me feel good," was a far more attractive option than the prescription drugs my parents were taking. I grew up with parents who could never imagine themselves as adults. In my mind, their adult emotions had to be somehow "determined" by some mental process that could never be completely understood by the average person. So they put aside their qualms about the use of psychiatric medications, and enjoyed the benefits of their choice. Today, I am an adult who have had "the experience" of having "depressed feelings," but not necessarily experienced the debilitating episodes of depression that my parents' generation did. Today, I have learned how to "cope." Through a course of prescribed medication and therapy, I have discovered how to treat depression, and I no longer take...

Dealing With Panic Attacks in Dogs

Anxiety is often one of the most prevalent causes of panic attacks in dogs. In fact, it is the number one cause. Moreover, dog panic disorder generally occurs in nervous dogs. However, nervous dogs may not be able to convey with humans effectively or owners simply turn a deaf ear to this condition in pets. There are several possible causes of these anxiety disorders in pets. One of the primary causes is the fear of potentially suffering from a panic attack. Many anxious dogs may exhibit specific behavioral symptoms such as whimpering, barking, pacing, sniffling, and staring at things that may be potentially harmful. It's common that these types of behaviors are caused by the fear of experiencing a panic attack. The behaviors are typically abnormal, and owners may think their pets are suffering from some kind of phobia. In many cases, these symptoms are mistaken for the typical symptoms of anxiety. However, there is another potential cause. Some dogs who experience anxiety have a fo...

Panic Attacks Symptoms - How to Recognize Them

  Panic attacks are very frightening and can even result in death if not properly treated. In this article we will look at the symptoms of panic attacks. Then, we will look at how you can begin to treat your panic attacks. Finally, we will look at some important tips that can help you get rid of your panic attacks. Most of the symptoms of panic attacks occur within ten minutes of beginning the panic episode. At first, the most severe parts of panic attacks usually last only for about ten minutes. But some individuals have longer attacks, lasting up to half an hour. During the initial part of a panic episode, a sufferer may not be capable to function normally in many situations. The letdown following a panic episode can be very exhausting. Some of the most common symptoms of panic attacks are palpitations, dizziness, difficulty breathing, lightheadedness, sweating, nausea, shakiness, and a constant feeling of dread. These symptoms often occur along with other symptoms of anxiety, su...

Depression Poetry - A Look At Two Transgressors Who Changed Their Paths

For many, depression poetry is a form of self-expression that challenges you to view yourself differently. The poems are often short and to the point. This is why they are often referred to as "dying" poems. They act as a guide for those who are feeling down and out to find the strength to continue on with their lives. What exactly is depression poetry? This type of poetry helps depression suffers discover the things that they love to do and have in their life. These can be things like music, art or exercise. Depression is often defined by a lack of interest in the things that once caused happiness. These poems challenge those who feel hopeless to keep going. They might have previously thought their life had no purpose but reading inspirational quotes and poems can help change that. Many forms of poetry are good for depression because they tend to be about something that everyone else either enjoys or is at least familiar with. By creating your own depression poetry, you can ...