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27.01.10
If your dog has seemed out of sorts recently, or down in the dumps, and there doesn't appear to be any physical sickness, then there is the distinct possibility that your animal is depressed. Our resident vet, Pete Wedderburn talks about depression in dogs and what you can do to help your pet.
How to help your dog
Cheerily get on with normal life
Try a DAP diffuser
Do not give lots of attention
Anti-depressive drugs may help
Depression in dogs is far less common than depression in humans, although of course because animals can't talk to us, it's possible that it's sometimes there without being noticed
There are a few situations when it's known to occur quite commonly:
1) DEATH OF A COMPANION
Whether a dog loses a human owner, or a canine companion, it's common for dogs to become quiet and withdrawn after this type of loss.
2) ARRIVAL OF A NEW COMPANION
If a new animal arrives in the household (e.g. a loud, boisterous young dog), this can also cause depression.
3) OTHER CHANGES IN SOCIAL LIFE
Some dogs get depressed when they go to boarding kennels, or if they're separated from their owners for any other reason.
4) ILLNESS
I've known animals to become temporarily depressed following certain types of illnesses e.g becoming suddenly blind, leg amputation, and others. Nearly always, after a few days or at most weeks of moping, dogs chirp up and return to normal.
5) OLD AGE
Some older dogs seem to become depressed - at least, they are quieter, more grumpy, less enthusiastic about life etc. This could also be linked with Cognitive Disorder which is basically Alzheimers of dogs, or senility.
WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT DEPRESSION IN DOGS?
1) Cheerily getting on with normal life is perhaps the best thing to do - most dogs mope for a short while, then join in as before
2) A DAP Diffuser (Dog Appeasement Pheromones) can help - this plugs in beside the dog's bed, and fills the air with soothing, calming pheromones.
3) Do NOT give the dog lots of attention - you could accidentally encourage attention-seeking "quiet" behaviour
4) Rarely, anti-depressive drugs can be given, but there are not any licensed for this purpose in dogs, so great care would need to be used to select the right medication - it may be wisest to refer such possible cases to see a behavioural specialist or "dog psychologist" before doing this.
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