Depression in dogs: causes, symptoms, treatment

A dog appears in the house, mainly in order to bring a fun variety to boring everyday life. She does not get bored, filling the house with merry stir. But over time, it turns out that the pet requires attention, especially if it is a puppy. It is necessary not only to feed the dog, to walk with it, but also to give it constant attention, otherwise, no matter how strange it sounds, it will start to feel bored and sad. This all confirms that animals are too emotional, and they need to be treated as carefully and carefully as people.

Dogs really understand much more than people who do not have pets. If the dog waited all day at the owner's door and, when meeting with him, happily wags his tail and waits for a kind word, but in response receives an annoying grumbling of a tired person or complete disregard, she, of course, will leave, feeling guilty.But she will quietly suffer in loneliness, yet sensitively listening for whether she will not be called in so that the owner can prove her devotion and love.

Looking for the right diagnosis

The whole difficulty of recognizing depression in a dog is that its symptoms very much resemble certain diseases. For example, the common dangerous disease parvovirus enteritis is expressed by the following symptoms:

• lethargy;
• slow motion;
• refusal to eat;
• nausea and vomiting.

But depression has exactly the same characteristic manifestations. And, if within a few days the dog is still unhappy, there is a reason to take him to the veterinary clinic, so that a specialist can check for the presence of the disease, and laboratory tests were carried out. Only then it will be clear - the physiological or emotional problem, and what therapy is needed.

What was the reason for depression

The most common cause of emotional distress is a change of owner. For a dog in any case, this event will be unforeseen. Even a four-legged living in a shelter, where conditions are far from perfect, and food is very scarce, will survive and may become depressed if it falls into good new conditions with good and considerate owners.For some people, this behavior will seem inexplicable, because the conditions for the pet are now the most favorable, is there any reason for sadness?

In this difficult time for the animal, the greatest care and patience are required. The behavior of the dog may seem a little strange, since at this time she:

1. It is very cautious, it will not allow family members to come to itself, it is also possible that aggressive behavior may occur.
2. It can find a certain place and stay there for hours or, on the contrary, walk around the apartment.
3. Try to find a way out to escape.
4. It will be bad to eat and restlessly sleep.
5. Will not respond to commands or requests.

But, if people come to the rescue, will be tender and kind, such a state will disappear without a trace in a few days. Prolonged depression and more severe due to adaptation can occur several weeks, if the previous owner created better conditions for life.

The prolonged absence of one of the family members or his death can also affect the dog as a trauma. A dog, even a decorative one, always remembers that in its “flock” everyone should get together, and she constantly notes the absence of someone all at once.

A pet can get sick if a new animal suddenly appears in the house - not just a dog. Of course, the newcomer will receive more attention, and the old-timers will increasingly become depressed if the owners do not pay attention to him in time.

However, if there was another pet in the house who was taken away and the dog was left without him, this fact can also cause illness.

The occurrence of a depressive state often pushes the dog to unexpected actions:

• she can leave home;
• become too aggressive;
• do not respond to people.

It is possible to distinguish rocks that are especially prone to depression. These are all kinds of spaniels and guide dogs.

There are owners who believe that keeping a dog in great severity is the best way to achieve its full obedience and obedience. But restriction of freedom only aggravates the state of the animal. Of course, to make a decision is the owner's right, but experts recommend giving the pet a chance to stay in the room, rather than huddling on a tight rug in the corridor, frolicking on the street, and not solemnly walking on a leash. Censures are not always appropriate, the dog also needs praise.

A dog can change emotionally after a severe physical injury. In this case, you will need treatment to return to your pet not only health, but also a good cheerful mood.

The behavior of the dog may change due to the change of housing. Sometimes it is enough to swap furniture, giving the dog a new place, how it will drastically change the behavior.

Winter depression or postpartum can visit and dog

Cold and short daylight hours can significantly affect the psyche of animals. And in this winter time, people need to change their care. Domestic dogs are pampered due to the fact that they spend most of their time in comfortable conditions, and their resistance to cold is reduced, especially in short-haired and decorative dogs. Constant hypothermia causes fear of the street, and in this case active games and running will not help; it is better to return to a warm room faster. But the danger lies in the fact that the paws are suffering because of the reagent with salt, which is plentifully sprinkled on the road. It tends to corrode pads, as a result, cracks and irritations appear, and painful allergic reactions occur in the most sensitive rocks.

Depression can also occur because walks are much reduced in winter, which means that the dog lacks enough light and fresh air. As a result, immunity decreases, there are not enough vitamins, lethargy and drowsiness appear. In this case, a balanced diet full of useful components will help a lot. Winter pet depression can be overcome with the help of affection and attentive attitude to the animal.

After giving birth, any dog ​​may behave unpredictably. But there's nothing you can do if hormones become in control of mood and mood. Then there are those anxiety states that can lead to depression.

A dog can manifest itself:

• unwarranted aggression, and often suffer from such behavior puppies;
• total apathy, the mother may refuse to care for the children and feed them.

Since in this case nature itself is the cause of the pathology, the dog’s owners can only take the careless mom urgently to the vet.

Every depression suffers in its own way.

In dogs, too, the characters are different, they perceive any situation in their own way, because each endures depression individually.The animal may remain as fun and active, and someone will begin to show aggression and anger. But the large category will be discouraged, bored, and start to hurt, losing interest in everything that happens around. So the severe form of apathy can begin.

In a pet, it is possible to revive the desire to be optimistic about the world only through a calm and thoughtful approach.

How to learn about depression

Depression is therefore considered dangerous because the depressed psychological state begins to negatively affect physical health. It is possible to determine this disease in a dog if it has:

• appetite was gone;
• insomnia began;
• constant lethargy;
• no interest in games;
• very little mobility.

This condition leads to a weakening of the immune system and the exacerbation of chronic diseases. Special manifestations in this case are various allergic reactions.

Fight depression

When the depression is repeated more and more often, the dog should be carefully watched. The investigation of the causes and the correction of the mistakes of the owners, which they committed in relation to the animal, will help to understand and restore a good mood.

But it is very important not to miss the important time when you really need veterinary care. Sometimes doctors decide on the appointment of the drug "Prozac".

Important! No need to try to prescribe self-medication - it is dangerous for the health of animals.

If possible, it is better to avoid medications, as there are some ways to cope with the problem:

1. Create a comfortable environment so that the dog can relax and sleep. So she will restore mental and physical health.
2. Refusal of games should not be taken as a whim. Forcing to take part in the game is not necessary, it will not lead to positive changes. Usually such a loss of interest goes away after a few days.
3. Make every walk more vivid and interesting. Go to a new place or invite dogs to play at the playground. But if the pet does not like it, the experience must be stopped.
4. Kindness and love - the best evidence that a family needs a pet. Most often it is the feeling of being useless that depresses the dog.

Of course, all this requires effort and time, but, having overcome difficulties, it is possible to achieve significant changes in the behavior of a pet, mitigating the possible effects of depression.For this you need to try to eliminate possible causes that can lead to depression, and therefore, maintain the habitual way for the dog. If there is a change of place, it is better to bring the dog in advance for acquaintance.