Identifying Depression in Your Pets

Believe it or not dogs can get very depressed as well as other animals and this can become very serious if not dealt with properly. In my own experience with may dog I did not realize what was going on until told by a doctor. Every time we went away on vacation and left our dog in another persons care he would always get serious depression. Some dogs also get depressed if they have an injury which hinders them from normal activity. In most cases you will be able to tell that your dog is depressed by noticing several behaviors, and eating changes. Below is a list of tips that may help you to diagnose your pet with depression. Remember that it is not just dogs who get depressed but any other household pet as well. Once you suspect that your pet is suffering from depression it is best to take them to a veterinarian. This will help you to be able to determine if there depression is caused by an illness or injury. If there is nothing physically wrong with your pet than it may just be that they missed you while you were away or perhaps a change in environment. Sometimes when you move to a new home, animals can become temporarily depressed until they get adjusted.

1. Stop Eating- The first and most obvious sign is that your pet will stop eating. This is a clear sign that something may be wrong, and that your dog is depressed. Monitor your dog closely and if they do not eat even after giving them fresh food or a different type then make a visit to the veterinarian immediately. You should not let your pet go longer than a day without eating.

2. Using the house as a bathroom is another sign. If you have an adult dog that has always gone outside to urinate and poop and suddenly they begin doing this in the house then it can depression. The same can be said for a cat who stops using their litter box suddenly and starts urinating all around the house. There can be some type of stress that is causing them to act in this way.

3. Acting Lazy- if your pet suddenly goes from being active to doing nothing at all then they may be depressed. If you have a dog and they suddenly don't want to go for walks anymore than they may clearly be depressed and the key is to find out the cause.