Is My Dog Depressed or Sick? – Causes, Symptoms & Recovery

Depression is most probably a common emotional term for human beings. But what happens when vet experts say that your adorable puppy is going through the same phase as well? When you notice unruly activities or negative behaviors, you might wonder, What’s going on with my dog? Is my dog depressed or sick? Well, they may be!

As much as we, human beings, tend to be responsive towards emotional approaches, the dogs can be too. One of the studies showed that dogs possess a responsive brain like humans. They can feel emotional disbalances for any severe changes in their lives. Although depression symptoms periodically get mixed up with their sickness symptoms.

Howbeit, when you observe your furry fella not behaving the same as she used to be, you have to consider the common signs caused by one of the two reasons, either sickness or depression. But how would you determine which ones have messed up her mental health? Let’s discover that,

Is My Dog Depressed or Sick

For dogs, the signs of depression are almost as same as the signs of sickness. They don’t stay cheerful, have low activity levels, develop unstable pulse rates, be lethargic, and adapt behavior modification. But there are still some vital signs that differentiate between them being depressed and sick.

To determine the signs of illness, you may check on,

1. Your pet’s heart rate,
2. Body temperature,
3. Respiratory rate,
4. Urination irregularities,
5. Undesirable Behavior,
6. Weight Loss,
7. Paw licking, etc.

You can measure your dog’s heart rate even at your home by following the simple steps mentioned in another article How to Check Dogs Heart Rate.

All of these will give you a clear understanding of her mental health conditions. Additionally, you can check on your dog’s physical activities including, 

1. Trembling, 
2. Tail-Tucking, 
3. Hiding,
4. Passive or active escape behaviors,
5. Panic, 
6. Pacing,
7. Diarrhea, 
8. Lesions, etc.

These are generally the most common symptoms of anxiety. On the other hand, to identify the symptoms of depression in dogs, you need to follow,

1. The behavioral changes,
2. Lack of appetite,
3. Signs of anxiety,
4. Separation anxiety,
5. Lack of interest in any fun activities,
6. Weight issues,
7. Sleeping disorders,
8. Aggressive behaviors,
9. Irregular habit changes, etc.

Although we always suggest going to a vet expert for medical advice. For any severe medical conditions essence, you should always consult a veterinarian. So, your furry friend will not feel too low or sick for an extended period.

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What Causes Depression or Sickness in Dogs

Canine depression is too expressive, unlike other animals. This essentially occurs when they face changes in surroundings, the loss of an animal companion or owner, etc. In contrast, their sickness may start from accidents, weak physical conditions, weather changes, etc.

Big life events, such as moving to a new home, having a new child, or getting a new pet, can all affect your dog’s feelings. Any significant change in your dog’s regular routine, in general, can cause sadness or anxiety.

A dog’s life is full of changes and transitions, from daily rituals to regular outings. Big or small, these changes may throw off your dog’s equilibrium. The Fitbark (physical activity tracker) product can be a great help to identify your dogs’ health conditions.

How to Recover My Dog from Depression or Sickness

You cannot see your pet fella being upset. You want to offer her support to bring her back to her normal state. But what is the cure? We understand your anxiousness. We have seen many pet owners griefing as they say, “My dog seems sad and tired.” They have no clues on how to help their pets. So, how to keep your dog happy and healthy and live longer? Through this segment, we have tried elaborating on the solutions.

First, get an appointment with an expert veterinarian. Discuss your dog’s problems openly if there are any signs of weight gain or weight loss, irregular heart rate, etc. Tell the doctor immediately and get some tests done if suggested.

Once you are done checking up on your dog, try maintaining the basic medication guideline provided by the doctors. You can also use some depression relief for minor anxiety cures. This will work as a common trigger for the dogs to respond to their daily routine.

If your dog is only reacting due to the sign of depression, you should spend quality time with her. You can do fun activities with her periodically throughout the day. Play the game that excites her even for a little bit. Also, make sure to take her out and help socialize with other pets. After all, dogs are meant to be wildlife animals. They enjoy exploring nature with a companion animal.

If the veterinarian discovers that your pet is sick. Make sure you follow every medical instruction as well as spend quality time with your puppy. Try to keep your dog happy throughout various activities. It may take some time for her to adjust. But within days or months, she would be okay again.

Can Dogs Die From Depression?

Apparently, they can. Depression is miserable for a pet’s mental health. As dogs are too sensitive, they cannot bear excessive depression state. Over time, they adapt to destructive Behavior and health issues. They might even get aggressive or entirely silent. Such animal psychopathology almost acts like human depression behavioral issues, demanding immediate treatment.

Therefore, everyone needs to maintain their normal activities with their pets. Dogs can go through separation anxiety as well. It usually happens when a house full of people changes their regular routine leaving their dog alone at home.

So, be careful about leaving your dog alone. Even during your travel times, you should keep her at one of your friend’s places. It will provide your pet with much comfort while resolving all psychological issues.

The Bottom Line

When your pup suffers from depression or anxiety, you’ll want to give them the most effective treatment available.

Bad things happen — even in the best relationships. When a dog is faced with an upsetting situation, it can lead to debilitating symptoms of depression or sickness, just like in humans. But if you’re prepared with a few coping mechanisms, you can help your dog adjust and prevent these feelings from spiraling out of control.

For pet owners seeking to keep their furry friends healthy and happy, assessing the state of their pet’s health can be challenging without professional help. But daily exercise and a healthy diet can go a long way toward keeping pets out of the vet’s office. In this guideline, we have tried elaborating on the significant symptoms of your dog sickness or depression. Kindly let us know in the comment section below if we have missed anything to include.