Dogs don’t have
an option to fully express their feelings, but it doesn’t mean that they don’t
have feelings. They do feel sad and depressed as well.
Although there
are no much researches in this regard as there are for humans, there is some anecdotal evidence that point towards the sadness and depression in dogs.
Some symptoms
are obvious, like a dog being slept for a
whole day
after another dog of the pack died. Others are not as obvious and straightforward.
So, how can you
know if your dog is sad or going through depression? Well, there are several
signs that can tell you if your dog is depressed – some of these signs are
similar to the depression signs in humans.
Always Sleeping:
You
may have heard that dogs sleep a lot. But if you own a dog, you might that it
usually happens when the owner of the dog is not around or have gone.
Let’s say you leave your dog to go to work. Your dog slept and
continues to sleep after you get back home and doesn’t react to your presence;
the situation is alarming. It is a sign that something is terribly wrong with
your dog.
Check the dog for any physical problems, but if you don’t find any
while the symptoms continue, then chances are high that your dog is depressed.
However,
this can be the other way around. Due to depression, your dog may become restless
and have trouble sleeping.
Appetite Changes:
Some
dogs, such as the Sheepadoodle, lose
interest in their food – any type – and may lose weight as well if they are sad.
On
the other hand, some dogs see solace in the food and continue to eat. These
dogs, while depressed, want to eat more and more, and may gain weight.
Hiding and Avoidance:
There
are many stories where dogs use to hide in a closet or under the bed. Typically
speaking, this behavior points out towards either of two things; injury or
illness.
Some
dogs suddenly start behaving like they want to be left alone or hide from
everyone. This is because something is bothering them. If they are neither ill
nor injured, then it means that they have some emotional problem.
Aggression:
If
your dog has suddenly started snapping, it means that there is something wrong
with the dog. Aggression in dogs is usually a consequence of something else
that has been bothering them.
Aggression comes in different levels, and you may need some time to
observe the timings and patterns of aggression in your dog.
It
could be anything from just growling to some serious fights with their best
friend. Generally, dogs are not aggressive without any provocation, therefore,
you need to check what could be the matter with your dog.
Most
importantly, you don’t need to assume that your dog is depressed right away. The
symptoms you might be thinking of as emotional are due to any physical problem
or medical condition. To make it clear, take your dog to a vet as soon as you
see some behavior changes in your dog.
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