Mental health and emotional well-being are topics that are much more accepted both in terms of discussion between friends and family members and also through mainstream media.

What some people are entirely unaware of, however, is that it is not just human beings who can be affected by depression, and your domesticated dog can also become depressed, even to the point that it stops wanting to live.

So, with this in mind, continue reading to learn all about depression in your dog and, more importantly, how to fix it. 

What Causes Depression in Dogs?

Just as with human beings, there is a wide plethora of possible causes for depression in your precious pooch, and it is exceedingly important to ascertain the cause of depression in an individual dog before you can best puppy treats it. 

The main reasons why your dog may well be experiencing a period of low mood and even depression include, but are in no way limited to, the following:

• The death of their canine bonded mate 
• The death of a human companion
• Moving house
• A change in situation at home
• Other environmental changes
• A new baby
• A new pet
• A depressed owner

How to Tell If Your Dog Is Depressed

As with humans, often your dog will pretend that they are not feeling as down as they truly are, and moreover, your dog may still experience and express joy at certain times, making it difficult to work out if you need to help it.

If you are concerned that your dog has had a sudden and negative change in its personality and may well be suffering from doggie depression, then it is crucial that you make an appointment with an established veterinary practice such as easyvet.com.

Signs and symptoms of depression in dogs include a small or larger drop in interest in toys and games that they used to love, excessive paw and body licking, ears that are pressed flat to their head, and a generally lower level of physical activity. Other signs of depression in your dog include overeating or, indeed, not eating enough and spending much more time throughout the day and evening sleeping. 

Ways to Bring Your Dog Out of Depression

Fortunately, for the concerned, attentive, and loving dog owner, it is highly likely that you will be able to detect signs of depression in your dog early and counteract it quickly and effectively. 

One of the most effective ways to help your dog out of depression is to offer them much more attention, both in focused play as well as cuddles and kisses. Another way is to socialize your dog more on its daily walks and actively encourage it to interact with other dogs (once you have checked with the owner that their dog is friendly). 

Spend quality time with your dog and take it out on longer walks to new places and wherever possible, let your dog off its leash so that it can run and explore and learn how to appreciate life again.