Much
has been said about depression, which is known to be the biggest silent
killer. It is said to plague one in every two to three people, which,
if left untreated, often leads to suicides. However, it's not something
that affects only human beings, but also pets.
Much like humans, your furry companions also suffer from bouts of depression. It could be because of a huge change in their lives, some sort of trauma or in some cases, even a medical condition. Experts say that dogs can grieve to a point of danger. Not only are they hit by the blues, but a recent study claims that they get back-to-back blues.
The back-to-back blues can be equated to the 'back-to-school-blues' that kids are said to suffer from, when they return to school after vacation. The pets feel abandoned when their owner returns to work after a break or the kids in the house resume their school, according to research compiled by Dr Nick Dodman of Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in Massachusetts. The anxiety causes pets to swing through extreme emotions — from joy to howling, scratching the door or pulling things around them. It's important to recognise the signs and combat them before they become worse.
Identify the trigger points If one can determine the triggers, it is easy to fix the problem before it gets worse. Just like people, events in and around your dog's life could cause depression — possible changes in the environment, a move to a new city or the absence of a family member the pet is used to being around could induce depression in your pet. Additionally, things happening in and around the environment in which your dog lives can also have an adverse affect on him. Experts also advice against leaving one's dog in complete isolation for a long period of time. If your dog is lonely and left on his own for long, it is carelessness on the part of the owner and could be a big reason why the dog feels sad and depressed.
"Our five-year-old labrador, Ginger, went astray and couldn't find her way back home. It was a tough time for us at home and undoubtedly, for her too, as she is highly domesticated. We found her a few days later and she was fine. It was only later that we noticed that she wasn't quite being herself. She was going through some trauma because of that experience, and was in a state of shock, because of which she was sullen and much quieter than usual," says Joseph Gomez, owner of the dog.
Dogs also suffer from chemical imbalances, which could in turn lead to clinical depression. "Dogs have a natural reaction to grief. If they notice their owners exhibiting grief, they might start mirroring the same emotion as well. Your moods and temperaments tend to naturally rub off on your pet," says veterinarian Anushka Tripathi.
What to watch out for Here are a few signs that determine if your pet dog is going through depression
Withdrawal: If you see your dog withdrawing from walks, playing with you, and other activities that he normally enjoyed, and just sits around, that's a sure shot symptom of depression.
Appetite: The average dog is bound to feel hungry every few hours or even less. But if you see that the appetite of your dog is dwindling on a consistent basis, then it's time to get alarmed.
Sleeping pattern: Keep an eye on your pet's sleeping pattern. "There will be visible changes in the sleeping pattern of your pet. While some dogs sleep a lot, some may become extremely restless and not sleep at all — it differs from dog to dog," adds Tripathi.
Dullness: The level of inactivity in your dog could be a direct indicator of his moods. He could become slower than usual, spend more time sitting at one place and seem highly uninterested in going for walks or playing outside.
Owners' guide to helping their pets overcome the blues -Avoid being overtly sympathetic towards your pet as it could possibly make the symptoms worse. -Make sure you keep feeding him at regular intervals even if there is a significant change in his appetite.
-If your pet doesn't show any signs of improvement, look for hidden injuries. It is best to take him to the vet. -This behaviour should be short-lived, but if it doesn't change, consult a specialist or a veterinarian.
Much like humans, your furry companions also suffer from bouts of depression. It could be because of a huge change in their lives, some sort of trauma or in some cases, even a medical condition. Experts say that dogs can grieve to a point of danger. Not only are they hit by the blues, but a recent study claims that they get back-to-back blues.
The back-to-back blues can be equated to the 'back-to-school-blues' that kids are said to suffer from, when they return to school after vacation. The pets feel abandoned when their owner returns to work after a break or the kids in the house resume their school, according to research compiled by Dr Nick Dodman of Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in Massachusetts. The anxiety causes pets to swing through extreme emotions — from joy to howling, scratching the door or pulling things around them. It's important to recognise the signs and combat them before they become worse.
Identify the trigger points If one can determine the triggers, it is easy to fix the problem before it gets worse. Just like people, events in and around your dog's life could cause depression — possible changes in the environment, a move to a new city or the absence of a family member the pet is used to being around could induce depression in your pet. Additionally, things happening in and around the environment in which your dog lives can also have an adverse affect on him. Experts also advice against leaving one's dog in complete isolation for a long period of time. If your dog is lonely and left on his own for long, it is carelessness on the part of the owner and could be a big reason why the dog feels sad and depressed.
"Our five-year-old labrador, Ginger, went astray and couldn't find her way back home. It was a tough time for us at home and undoubtedly, for her too, as she is highly domesticated. We found her a few days later and she was fine. It was only later that we noticed that she wasn't quite being herself. She was going through some trauma because of that experience, and was in a state of shock, because of which she was sullen and much quieter than usual," says Joseph Gomez, owner of the dog.
Dogs also suffer from chemical imbalances, which could in turn lead to clinical depression. "Dogs have a natural reaction to grief. If they notice their owners exhibiting grief, they might start mirroring the same emotion as well. Your moods and temperaments tend to naturally rub off on your pet," says veterinarian Anushka Tripathi.
What to watch out for Here are a few signs that determine if your pet dog is going through depression
Withdrawal: If you see your dog withdrawing from walks, playing with you, and other activities that he normally enjoyed, and just sits around, that's a sure shot symptom of depression.
Appetite: The average dog is bound to feel hungry every few hours or even less. But if you see that the appetite of your dog is dwindling on a consistent basis, then it's time to get alarmed.
Sleeping pattern: Keep an eye on your pet's sleeping pattern. "There will be visible changes in the sleeping pattern of your pet. While some dogs sleep a lot, some may become extremely restless and not sleep at all — it differs from dog to dog," adds Tripathi.
Dullness: The level of inactivity in your dog could be a direct indicator of his moods. He could become slower than usual, spend more time sitting at one place and seem highly uninterested in going for walks or playing outside.
Owners' guide to helping their pets overcome the blues -Avoid being overtly sympathetic towards your pet as it could possibly make the symptoms worse. -Make sure you keep feeding him at regular intervals even if there is a significant change in his appetite.
-If your pet doesn't show any signs of improvement, look for hidden injuries. It is best to take him to the vet. -This behaviour should be short-lived, but if it doesn't change, consult a specialist or a veterinarian.