Do dogs get sad when sick

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 16, 2024

Contributions sourced from

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 Some dogs, however, can go the other way, and they can become overly withdrawn.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.

Dog depression and canine seasonal affective disorder

It may surprise you to learn that dogs can suffer from a type of depression, and even more so that it may be more common in the long dark winter months. If you worry that your dog seems sad or low, you can find out about signs to look out for, potential causes and discover how to help your dog feel happier.

Signs of an unhappy dog

Signs to watch out for include is your dog:

Withdrawn the dog may have little enthusiasm for exercise or games or joining in with the things they normally enjoy

Lethargic they may be sleeping more than usual

Loss of appetite - they may lose interest in food or there may be other changes to eating patterns

Inability to settle the dog may appear restless, not sleeping well or deeply, or other changes to sleeping patterns

Behaviour changes the same mood states that can present as apparent depression can present as other issues depending on the dogs personality. These can include chewing, attempts at escapology, increased reactivity, loss of toilet training, and even aggression.

What causes dog depression?

There are many factors that can impact on a dogs emotional state, including changes to routine, environment, social group, or as a result of chronic stress or anxiety resulting from fears and phobias or lifestyle. Some of these can produce what looks like a canine version of depression, but so often owners dont recognise the change in their dogs mood, or know that they can do some very simple things to transform their dogs life.

Changes to environment

Most dogs like routine and are happiest when they are confident in their environment and know what to expect during their day. Dramatic changes, such as house moves, building work or major home reorganisations, can leave your dog feeling uncertain. In these instances you may well see changes in their personality or behaviour as they try to adjust and regain their routine and feelings of safety.

Changes to social group

A dogs bond with its family is very strong and changes to their social dynamic can strongly affect them, such as divorce, bereavement (human, canine and sometimes even feline), children leaving home, or even a change in working patterns. Dogs dont understand where their friends or loved ones have gone and of course we cant explain it to them so that they understand.

Its not just grief that can affect a dogs mood however. If you are suddenly less available to your dog, such as returning to work after a break, or starting a new job it can hit them hard. They rely on you totally for company, security and love, and can feel your increased absence keenly.

Boredom

Its easy to only pay attention to dogs in the few short hours a day we are exercising them, but for many dogs that means upwards of 12 waking hours a day, every day, with absolutely nothing to do! For dogs, especially working types, boredom can lead to a number of different behavioural problems, including depression.

Fears and phobias

Often what looks like canine depression is a sign of an underlying behaviour issue. Even though they are not showing any acute or obvious signs of fear, a dog who suffers from noise phobias, or separation related issues, for example, can be in a chronic state of stress or anxiety, always waiting for the next bang or the next time they are left home alone.

SAD?

At this time of year there can be several causes of a dogs apparent sadness, including something similar to - Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). However, something far more likely to cause behavioural problems are changes to a dogs routine.

Our dogs have certain hard-wired needs that we need to fulfill to keep them healthy and happy. A major one of these is exercise and physical and mental stimulation. Not only that but they need the right kind of exercise, and this can often be breed or type dependant.

Through the winter especially the long, wet winters we have been seeing in recent years it can be hard to give dogs the exercise they need. Dark mornings and evenings, and muddy, wet walks, can make taking the dog out seem like a chore. As a result, many dogs are getting less exercise or fewer walks than usual, and arent getting to do the things they truly love.

In other cases, owners dont realise just how much exercise their dog needs, or what types of things will keep them happy. All dogs are different and so finding out what fulfils a dogs hard-wired needs can be the key to a contented dog. Its similar to someone who loves nothing more than doing yoga being forced to only do marathon running! Yes, youd be getting the exercise you need, but you wouldnt be enjoying it, and would probably be feeling pretty fed up about it!

A lack of being able to do the things they have been selectively bred to do, or just the things that they love, can result in a whole host of behaviour problems, some of which will present a lot like depression.

It ain't what you do, it's the way that you do it

All dogs should have some training so that they can have the freedom they need to be able to be let off the lead, where it is safe to do so, and so they are not a nuisance or danger to themselves or others. How you train your dog and how you relate to them day-to-day will have an impact on their mood.

Reward-based training methods and handling improve the bond between a dog and their owner. Heavy-handed methods that rely on punishment can however leave the dog feeling unable to succeed, resulting in a loss of confidence in their owner, and producing a state of learned helplessness. These dogs may appear quiet and well-behaved, but may actually be experiencing a very low mood state and chronic stress where it is far safer to do nothing.

Physical illness or pain

Low mood states dont only have mental and emotional causes at their root. Some physical conditions especially those which cause pain can affect a dogs mood, and whenever there are sudden changes in a dogs personality or behaviour the first step should be a visit to the vet to check there are no clinical causes.

Personality

Like us all dogs are different. Some are by nature bouncy and very obviously happy all the time, while others are more reserved and self-contained, but are no less contented. Know your own dog and do some research on what things they may enjoy to enhance their life and their mood, but also be aware of what their usual (resting) mood state is.

What to do?

Recognising the problem is the first step to solving it, then do a canine mental health assessment on your dog.

Has anything changed in your dogs life, environment or social group?
Is your dog getting as much exercise and stimulation as usual? Is your dog getting the right sort of exercise and stimulation to give them an outlet for their hard-wired needs and the things they love?
Is your dog getting as much contact with you are usual?
Are you spending enough quality time with your dog? This may be exercise, games, training, dog sports or just hanging out together.
Is your dog bored? Can you relieve this with an additional walk, short training sessions throughout the day, occasional games, interactive toys etc?
Does your dog have any other behaviour issues especially fears and phobias that may be more prevalent for any reason?

Once you have done this check, you should have a clear idea of what your dog needs from you to lift their mood and find ways to do this. If you are unable to make the changes (such as in the case of house moves etc) be aware that your dog is struggling and give them more TLC than usual and lots of fun things to do to distract them and support them through the changes.

When to seek help

If your dogs mood or behaviour has changed suddenly and you can find no reason why this may be happening, visit your vet to check for clinical causes.

Once your dog has a clean bill of health, consult an accredited experienced behaviourist who can look at any behaviour changes or issues, and help you transform your dogs mood, behaviour and life for the better.

Think your dog may be affected?

If you're worried about your dog's health, always contact your vetimmediately.

We are not a veterinary organisation and so we can't give veterinary advice, but if you're worried about any of the issues raised in this article, please contact your local vet practice for further information.