Dogs can suffer from depression, with their emotional state affected by changes to routine, environment, social group, or as a result of chronic stress or anxiety. It’s sometimes quite difficult for owners to tell when their dog is depressed, because the signs look a little different to those exhibited in humans, but it’s worth keeping an eye out for these changes in moods – as there are some very easy, quick fixes you can try to help them.
Why do dogs get depressed?
There are many factors that impact a dog’s emotional state, but there are several key ones. If you can identify what the cause of your dog’s depression might be, you’re one step closer to working out how to help them. The Royal Kennel Club has some useful advice to help identify how and why dogs become depressed.
Changes to environment
Dogs enjoy routine, and are happiest when they know what to expect in their day. Significant changes, such as house moves or building work, can impact a dog’s comfort.
Changes to social group
Dogs bond to their owners and families, so if there are changes in these situations – such as divorce, bereavement, members of the family leaving home, owners returning to work after a period at home – dogs can experience a type of grief of their own.
Boredom
Although exercise is a key part of keeping dogs stimulated, there’s much more to keeping them entertained than simply taking them on a walk once a day. This is particularly the case for working dogs, where boredom can lead to behavioural problems, as well as depression. Some dogs demand more exercise, making them better suited to active people – so be sure to choose the right dog for you when you're thinking about taking on a pet.
Fears and phobias
It might not be clear why dogs are experiencing depression, as sometimes they don’t show obvious signs of fears or phobias. Separation issues or noise phobias can mean a dog is in a constant state of stress, fearful of the next trigger – whether it's a firework display (a common trigger for dogs) or their owner leaving to go to work.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Throughout the winter, it’s harder to give dogs the exercise they need. We’re less likely to take them out for a long dog walk on a cold, dark morning in boggy fields than we are to let them run free in a meadow in summer. As a result, they often don’t get enough mental and physical stimulation during these winter months.
Physical illness or pain
Low moods can be triggered by physical ailments as much as mental and emotional ones. Any sudden changes in a dog’s temperament should be noted and they should be taken to a vet to check that there are no clinical reasons for their mood change.
Personality
Some dogs are simply more vivacious and bouncier than others. Get to know your own dog – they might simply be more reserved than other dogs. The main thing to look out for is a change in mood, so know what their resting mood state is so you can tell whether there’s a shift in any direction.
- Looking after the elderly: how to keep an old dog mobile, happy and healthy from the experts at PDSA
Symptoms of dog depression
Depressed dogs may exhibit any of the following symptoms:
- Decreased interest in activities
- Ears pinned back
- Hiding or withdrawing
- Whimpering
- Howling
- Clinging to owner
- Low energy
- Restlessness
- Decreased appetite
- Changes in sleep patterns
What should you do if your dog is depressed?
Start with a veterinary trip to rule out any illnesses. If they don’t have any medical issues (or once those are addressed), the key focus should be increasing their exercise, enriching their day-to-day life with mental and physical stimulation, and quality time between dogs and their owners to help improve their mood.
Daily walks and games are crucial for keeping them active and exercised, and social interaction (with both humans and other dogs) can help boost their emotional wellbeing.
Like humans, it’s ok for dogs to experience stress from time to time – but too much stress can lead to longer-term problems, such as anxiety.
They can experience separation anxiety, which was a problem with many dogs when their owners returned to the office after lockdown. The dogs weren’t used to being left for long periods, and many experienced separation anxiety.
They might experience stress if children or other animals are introduced into the home, or if there’s another change in their environment.
How to spot signs of stress in dogs
There are a few things to look out for that indicate stress in dogs, so if you keep an eye on their behaviour, you may be able to prevent more acute health issues in the future. They can become stressed when they are scared, bored or frustrated, experience a change in routine or have had insufficient exercise.
Blue Cross has suggested a few signs to look out for.
Signs your dog might be stressed include:
- Repeated yawning (unless your dog is tired – in which case, yawning is fine!)
- Panting, often with the tip of their tongue curled rather than relaxed
- Pacing back and forth
- Backing away from a person or situation
- Tail tucked between their legs
- Cowering (shrinking down or crouching)
- Trembling or shivering (when they’re not cold/excited)
- Licking their lips
- Ears pinned back
- Dilated pupils or red around their eyes
- ‘Whale eye’ – when the whites of their eyes are showing
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea or increased bowel movements
- Exhibiting defensive behaviours such as growling, showing teeth, snapping, biting, stiffening or staring. NB. These behaviours will usually occur as a ‘last resort’ for the dog, with other, less confrontational behaviours shown earlier, so keep an eye out for those early warning signs to prevent the dog moving onto these defensive behaviours.
How to prevent your dog experiencing stress and depression
Keep an eye out for those early warning signs of stress. Picking up on those cues can help you prevent the stress from escalating. Understanding the cause of your dog’s stress will also help you decide how to help it calm down.
Top tips to help calm a stressed dog
- Move the dog away from the stressful situation. If they are stressed inside the home, give them time outside, or if they’re stressed outside, bring them in. If they’re overwhelmed by noisy and excited children in the home, you could create a separate space for them with a crate or dog bed, so they can relax without being disturbed.
- Exercise! Like humans, dogs need exercise for both their physical and mental health. Out in nature, they have things to see, smell and hear. Remember to keep your dog on a lead if you’re walking near livestock.
- Stay calm yourself. Most dogs are really sensitive to their owner’s emotions. If your dog is stressed, keep your voice calm and don’t panic.
- Keep them entertained. Games and activities will help keep dogs’ brains stimulated.
- If they’re exhibiting defensive behaviours, don’t punish them – or they may become more stressed. If they’re displaying these problematic behaviours regularly, talk to a vet and find a professional animal behaviourist to help you identify the cause of the stress and give you advice on how to manage it.
