Feelings are not reserved for humans. Happiness, joy, excitement, sadness, fear and stress are not exclusively reserved for us, dogs experience them these emotions too.

Dog depression is very real. If you are concerned that your dog appears depressed or down, you should look out for indications, probable causes, and try to find ways to make your dog feel happy.

Let's discuss all that in detail.

Signs of a depressed dog

Dog depression signs include the following:

• Lethargic
• Loss of appetite
• Restlessness
• Stubbornness
• Behaviour changes

Causes of dog depression

Dogs frequently respond to the moods of those around them; as a result, being sad around your dog may cause your pup to exhibit signs of sadness. The death of the dog's owner or the death of another canine companion is the situation that leads to depression in dogs more frequently than any other. A dog that has recently lost its owner is more prone to get depression due to the stress brought on by the fact that they have also lost their favourite person & playmate. In addition, a dog's sadness may be exacerbated by life changes such as relocating or making other big adjustments in the household.

Treatment of dog depression

If your dog has been recently diagnosed with depression, the treatment for their ailment will be comparable to the medication that is given to humans who have depression. The use of canine calming supplements (learn more about our calming treats here) and establishing a calm/ secure space dedicated solely to your dog are two ways that stressful/depressed circumstances can be alleviated.

How to bring a smile to your dog's face in depression?

Predictable environments, strictly managed social interaction (if the problem is connected to other dogs or people), and consistent routines that include lots of physical activity are generally helpful for depressed or nervous dogs (as discussed above).

The following is a list of some other suggestions that might assist you in helping a dog that is restless or depressed:

·       Make sure that your furry buddy never gets bored

Pets who are left alone for long periods of time might develop anxiety or get into trouble. Before you head out the door for the day, give your dog some time to run around, play with his toys, and then make sure he gets enough exercise. To keep dogs entertained, there are many toys involving interaction or may be packed with tasty food.

·       Hang out with your furry pals

Dogs are naturally sociable animals and adore being in the company of both humans and other canines. For increased socialization with other animals you can think about taking your dogs to the park, courses, or a doggy daycare facility.

·       Make sure they are eating enough

A temporary change in their food, to something they love, can encourage them to eat and help boost their mood.

·       Make sure they are stimulated

Make an effort to increase their activity levels, take them on long walks and try to play more. Also, try to increase their mental stimulation by introducing new toys, puzzle feeders or other stimuli to keep them engaged!