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Unlike children, our animals cannot use language to indicate what they are thinking and feeling. This makes it hard for owners to know if they are happy or not. Unless your dog is showing signs of physical sickness, most other symptoms go unnoticed. Dogs can get depressed, they just do not suffer from it as frequently as humans do. As a pet owner, you know your animal best and it is up to you to notice if something is amiss.

Changes in behaviour

Your dog may be depressed if he is showing a lack of interest in play. If your animal is less active than usual, you should monitor them and if the problem persists, contact a veterinarian as soon as possible. Another sign of animal depression is a lack of interest in food. Dogs are generally willing to eat almost anything so a loss of appetite is a definite cause for concern. Although these symptoms can be due to depression, other medical conditions may also be the reason for these behavioural changes. It is best to consult your veterinarian before making any assumptions.

Other things to look out for

One of the most common signs of depression is sulking. If your pet is not their happy self then you should definitely pay attention. An animal may also start to misbehave. For example, your dog may start urinating inside the house, tearing up furniture or become less unmanageable. If this happens, something is definitely upsetting your pet.

The main cause of depression in dogs is lack of attention. Make sure you spend some quality time with your pet, especially if they are not themselves. A new addition to the family can also cause feelings of jealousy and if not corrected, your dog can feel neglected and become depressed. Look out for any break in your animal’s routine and call the veterinarian for help. Do not try to diagnose your animal yourself.

Tags: dogs, pet care, Pets & Pet Care