Can my dog smell my depression
Does depression have a smell?
So many times I would pass by Charles room and sometimes I would notice a smell. I would go in, try and identify it. Open the window to air it out.
No one else could smell it but I could. It was very different. Very distinct.
At first, I thought it might be drug related. But Charles didnt smoke things in his room. And itwas a smell that I remembered from before there were drugs involved. Only it got stronger as he became a teenager.
Not unpleasant just different and a little bit alarming for some reason. Hard to describe but it was sort of sweet.
When I got Charles clothing back from the police, I could barely pick up the scentbut it was still there. At that time, it was the sweetest thing ever.
And I thought, I will never smell that scent again.
I forgot about the scent until recently.
I had a conversation with a woman whose husband suffers from depression. She said she knew he was in a depressive state prior to it happening because she could smell it. And she could tell when he was over it because it would then begone.
I was shocked. I have asked this strange question to Google a hundred times. And to a handful of people. This is the first time someone else mentioned that depression had a distinct smell. She said the same thing I did. It was not a bad smell. Just different.
Ive looked up sour stomach and various drugs. No luck. I just knew it wasnt that. Someone else had this same olfactory experience. It took me years to figure out that it was probably the smell of anxiety and depression. A drop in serotonin perhaps? I have no idea. I am hardly a scientist.
Im curious, though. Has anyone else experienced this?
Dog Depression: Signs, Causes, and Treatment
But what about dogscan they get depressed, too? Do depressed dogs feel the same? And whats the treatment for dog depression?
Can Dogs Get Depressed?
Yes, but dogs do not typically experience what we recognize as clinical depression in humans. That being said, our canine family members can certainly feel depression in the form of the blues, sadness, and grief. And while we cant ask dogs about their feelings, we can recognize signs that show that dogs certainly can experience these emotions.
Dr. Gregory Burns, Distinguished Professor of Neuroeconomics and Director of the Center for Neuropolicy at Emory University, has done research on dog emotions that gives us better insight. Dr. Berns conducted non-invasive magnetic imaging resonance studies (MRIs) on nearly 100 dogs and has tracked the areas of the human and canine brains that are active during certain emotions.
His research shows that the areas of the human brain that are active when experiencing certain emotions are also active in dogs. We can extrapolate from this data that the dogs are experiencing similar emotions when these areas are active.1,2
Signs of Depression in Dogs
Depression can show up in many different ways, depending on the cause. A pet thats depressed from the loss of a long-term companion will act differently than a pet that is grieving the loss of a normal routine during a move.
A 2016 study out of New Zealand and Australia looked at the signs of depression in dogs and cats after the losing a companion animal.3 These signs may include:
A decrease in appetite
Sleeping more than usual or appearing lethargic
Demanding more affection or being clingy/needy with their owners
Frequenting areas of the home where their companion sent the majority of their time
A change in vocalization (meowing, barking, howling, etc. more than usual)
Unusually aggressive behavior towards people or other animals
Inappropriate elimination (peeing or pooping) in the home
We can also see other signs of depression, sadness, or anxiety in pets, depending on the situation. You may see signs like:
Withdrawal from social situations
Hiding
Increase in destructive behaviors
Not wanting to participate in normal play activities
When a veterinarian is looking to potentially diagnose a pet with depression, the first step is to get a thorough medical history from the pet parent. Knowing about any changes in the home can be extraordinarily helpful in determining if depression is the cause of any clinical signs your pet is showing.
Other Conditions That Can Be Confused With Dog Depression
Unfortunately, the symptoms of dog depression can be similar to other medical conditions. Chronic pain is often mistaken as depression in older pets, and to further confuse matters, stress from depression can make underlying medical conditions emerge.
Canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CCD) is a condition associated with the aging of a dogs brain, which can affect their awareness, memory, learning, and response to certain stimuli. CCD can have signs similar to depression. If you have an older pet (usually 8 years and above) that is starting to show these signs, ask your vet about CCD.
If your dog is showing signs that are consistent with depression, especially in the absence of a life-altering event, they should be evaluated by their primary care veterinarian to look for an underlying cause.
If your dogs symptoms of depression are accompanied by any other signs, like vomiting, diarrhea, severe lethargy, significant aggression, peeing or pooping more often, and so on, take your dog to the vet right away.
What Causes Dog Depression?
If you suspect your dog is suffering from depression, think about what has changed or is changing in their life, such as changes in their environment or social situations. Any significant change to a pets normal routine can cause stress and/or depression. This is not a complete list, but dog depression can be caused by:
Chronic pain or chronic illness
Trauma (like an injury or abuse)
Isolation (such as a pet that is crated only after a surgery or injury)
Lack of mental or physical stimulation, especially in energetic or working dogs
Changes in the household:
The addition of a new family member (human or pet)
A change in work or school routines, like a pet parent going back to work after an extended stay at home
Pets can also feel empathy with pet parents, including depression. A 2019 study in Sweden looked at the concentration of long-term stress hormones in humans and their pets and found that dogs had similar stress levels as their owners.
They concluded that the dogs...mirror the stress levels of their owners rather than the owners responding to the stress in their dogs. Dogs can pick up on our moods and recognize our facial expressions and body language. They know when we are happy or sad, and our moods can affect them.4
How to Help a Depressed Dog
Similar to humans, depression and its effects can be different for each dog. To help your dog, you need to find out what is causing the symptoms. Thankfully, dogs are pretty resilient creatures. After a depression-inciting event, small changes can make a huge improvement to their emotional state. Here are a few ideas that may be helpful.
Set up play dates. If your pet is missing a furry friend, engaging with another dog can help fill the void. Adopting another dog can also help, but you should not make this decision solely to cheer your dog up. Bringing a new pet home needs to be the right fit for both you and your pet.
Increase mental and physical stimulation. This could be taking your dog on extra or longer walks, playing fetch consistently, giving them a new enrichment or puzzle toy, or encouraging them to engage in some of their favorite activities.
Make sure they are eating. Adding a topper to their food temporarily can encourage your pet to eat. A sudden change in diet can lead to digestion issues, so do not change their diet completely or abruptly.
Give them some individual time. This is not time spent in a kennel or alone at home, but time where they can enjoy a mentally stimulating toy or activity, like a KONG with frozen KONG stuffing inside, treat dispenser toys, puzzle games, or chews.
Respond appropriately. If your pets depression is causing them to act out, you need to direct your behavior so you are not inadvertently reinforcing a bad behavior. Reward appropriate behaviors with attention, treats, etc. You should not punish unwanted behavior in general, and it especially does not work for pets suffering from depression or anxiety.
Its important to know what a relaxed dog looks like so you can monitor their return to normal. A relaxed dog will have an open mouth with no facial tension, and they may pant. Ears can be a bit tricky since they come in all different shapes and sizes, but generally, a relaxed dog will have their ears slightly back or out to the sides. If your dog is relaxed, they will hold their tail out in a low or neutral position with an easy wag, and when they play, their body will be loose and wiggly.
When to See a Vet About Your Dogs Depression
It is important to know when to contact your veterinarian when your dog is showing symptoms of depression. Your dog should be seen right away if they:
There are the rare circumstances when the stress caused by depression can cause underlying health issues to emerge. If you are concerned about your pet's depression, schedule a visit to talk to your veterinarian. This can help ease your concern and give you some great ideas on how to help your pet navigate their depression.
Is There Medication for Dog Depression?
As with the majority of behavioral concerns in dogs, medications should be just one part of the treatment plan. Medications for dog depression are usually beneficial when combined with behavioral modification, supplements, and pheromone products. Medications can be especially helpful for pets that have a history of fears or anxieties and are also going through a difficult situation.
Treatment Plans for Dog Depression
If your dogs depression is causing behavioral issues, careful environmental management and behavior modification are important. It is vital that the treatment plan for a pet with severe depression come from a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, a veterinary behaviorist, or a primary care veterinarian who practices veterinary behavior.
After you talk to your veterinarian about your dogs specific situation, you can move forward with the recommended treatment, which may include:
Thankfully, your pets have us as their advocates for their mental health. When you notice changes in your dogs behavior, you can work with your veterinarian to ensure they are getting care the care they need for their depression.
References
- Berns G. How Dogs Love Us: A Neuroscientist and His Dog Decode the Canine Brain. Brunswick, Victoria Scribe; 2014.
- Berns G. What Its like to Be a Dog: And Other Adventures in Animal Neuroscience. Oneworld; 2019.
- Walker J, Waran N, Phillips C. Owners Perceptions of Their Animals Behavioural Response to the Loss of an Animal Companion. Animals. 2016;6(11):68. doi:10.3390/ani6110068
- Sundman A-S, Van Poucke E, Svensson Holm A-C, et al. Long-term stress levels are synchronized in dogs and their owners. Scientific Reports. 2019;9(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-019-43851-x
Featured Image: iStock.com/mustafagull
How to Know if Your Dog is Depressed
Unlike humans, dogs cant verbalize what they are feeling. But even though dogs experience different emotions than we do, experts recognize that dogs can experience mental health problems similar to depression. But how do you know if your dog may be depressed?
How to Spot Signs of Depression in Dogs
Dog depression symptoms will vary, depending on the individual dog and how serious the problem is. There are some key things to look out for, however. Keep an eye out for changes in body language during their interactions with people and other pets, decreased appetite, and lethargic behavior.
Dr. Leslie Sinn runs Behavior Solutions and is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB) and a certified professional dog trainer. The main thing would be a change in normal demeanor, she says. What I hear from most of my clients is that their dog is not that willing to engage in activities that previously they seemed to really enjoy.
She gives the example of a dog who normally loves to play fetch. If a dog who usually loves fetch is now playing for one or two rounds and then loses interest, its clear their attitude has changed. You then might be wondering Is my dog depressed?
Dr. Sinn also lists other signs, including clingy, needy behavior, and, perhaps, a need to be closer to the owner in general. Some dogs, however, can go the other way, and they can become overly withdrawn.
Ruling Out Pain or an Underlying Medical Condition
The symptoms of dog depression are often commonly similar to those displayed by a dog suffering from an underlying medical condition or chronic pain. Sometimes, these issues can even be triggers for depression.
Dr. Sinn always encourages owners to have their dogs medically evaluated to rule out any medical problems. In general, if a dog is slowing down or is reluctant to engage, especially in the absence of some life-changing event, then I would bet huge amounts of money that it is medical or pain-related, she says.
Common Causes of Depression in Dogs
If you suspect your pet is suffering from dog depression, ask yourself what has changed in their life and environment. There are a variety of triggers for depression. Sometimes its an obvious thing, but it can also be more subtle changes or a combination of issues that have built up over time.
Depression, in animals anyway, is something that we tend to associate with a specific event, says Dr. Sinn. It could be the loss of an owner, the loss of a buddy that they have grown up with, or a huge lifestyle change a big move, or the addition or subtraction of key members of their social group. It tends to be context-specific.
She explains that people should look at their dogs basic environmental and social circumstances to understand what may have brought about the changes in their behavior.
Common triggers for dog depression may include:
Dr. Sinn explains that some of the most severe cases of dog depression shes seen have come from dogs coming out of just horrific rescue circumstances hoarding situations, meat farm dogs, that kind of thing.
Dr. Kelly Ballantyne is a board-certified veterinary behaviorist and the leader of Insight Animal Behavior Services. She says that serious behavioral issues can often result from a combination of genetics, early life experiences, physical and social environments, and ongoing learning processes. We regularly meet with experienced dog owners who provide appropriate amounts of exercise, enrichment, play, and training, and still have dogs that suffer from fear, anxiety, and depression.
You could have a very, very anxious dog that has a lot of behavioral suppression, adds Dr. Sinn. It really kind of freezes or shuts down and that whole process can lead to depression. The dog doesnt want to eat, doesnt want to move, doesnt want to do much of anything. It doesnt want to engage and, consequently, removes itself from social interaction. In these severe cases, treating the problem may not be straightforward.
How to Treat Depression in Dogs
As Dr. Sinn points out, dogs are amazingly resilient. If there is a significant event associated with their depression, often some simple environmental and social changes can make a huge difference. She suggests things like spending some extra time with them, taking them on extra fun walks, playing a little tug, or having a little grooming session. Usually, with a little time, extra attention, and enjoyable enrichment, your dog will move through their depression without any major difficulty.
For some dogs, their depression is a more permanent issue that can be more serious in the long term. This dog will need extra support. Dr. Sinn is keen to reiterate that these dogs have often had a particularly traumatic past, and it is not a surprise that they need extra help.
Often behavioral guidance from a professional is recommended, and, in some instances, you may want to discuss pharmacological support with your vet. We dont medicate out of convenience for the owner, says Dr. Sinn. But if the poor dog is unable to function the majority of the time, then something needs to be done to address the quality of life and welfare of that individual.
Dr. Ballantyne explains that medications are very helpful in cases where a dogs underlying emotional state is interfering with their ability to learn new behaviors or negatively affecting their quality of life. This is especially true when there are many different types of triggers for the dogs fear or anxiety, or when the triggers are unavoidable. She gives the example of a depressed dog who is terrified of storms and lives in an area where storms are frequent for months throughout the year.
I think its important to acknowledge that pharmaceutical options arent the only treatment for dogs suffering from mental illness, but rather just a part of the treatment plan, points out Dr. Ballantyne. She notes that the most effective treatment plans may include a combination of pharmaceuticals, managing your dogs environment, and behavior modification.
