The Occurrence of Canine Depression.

A friend was telling me about his relocation to a new home and how his new landlord instructed him never to release his dog either during the day or at night, this got him worried because he has never had to chain his dog down all day before without an atom of freedom. But what he noticed is that after some weeks, his dogs started to show some signs that got him worried, and when he told me about those signs, I could tell there were signs of depression.

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Yes, a pet can go into depression just like humans, when a person is going through a stage of depression, you will notice their loss of interest in daily activities and the struggle attached to day-to-day living, this same thing can also happen to pets.

Just like we know in humans, depression produces a mood disorder that causes feelings of worthlessness, grief, and sadness.
The symptoms of depression in dogs comes with symptoms such as;

• Increased irritability.
• Clingy behavior.
• Withdrawn attitude.
• Frequent accidents.
• Change in vocal sound.
• Aggressive behavior towards other animals and humans.
• Changes in patterns of sleep.
• Destructive attitude.
• Refusal to engage in normal activities.

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The unfortunate thing about the symptoms of depression in our canine friends is that it is similar to other medical conditions. Chronic pain is usually mistaken for depression in older pets, in the same light, stress that comes from depression could also make other underlying medical conditions emerge.
Canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CCD): The symptoms of CCD are similar to that of depression, it is a condition associated with the aging of a dog's brain. The condition can affect the memory, learning, and awareness of your pet, if your pet who is older than the age of 8 begins to show these signs you should speak with your vet about the possibility of CCD.

If these symptoms are further associated with vomiting, pooping, severe lethargy, and diarrhea are noticed, kindly report to the vet as promptly as possible.

There are different reasons why depression could be triggered in your dog, but it is caused basically by the occurrence of a major change in the life of a dog. Here are some of the top causes of your animal's depressive feelings;

• Physical pain.
• Being tied to a chain continuously.
• Loss of a canine companion.
• Loss of an owner.
• Boredom.
• Trauma from an injury, disease, or an abuse.
• The absence of mental or physical stimulation.
• Being isolated socially for a long time.
• Environmntal changes like rehoming, moving, or the addition of a new strange pet to the family.
• Some dogs may even become depressed once their owner begins to show signs of depression.

You can't be perfect at handling your pet and the possible distress they may be facing, but you can do simple things to take care of the mental health of your pet and prevent the possibility of depression.

Mental stimulation and exercise are very crucial to reducing stress and anxiety in your pet, adequate exercising every day whether through walks or play time will help a lot.
Methods of mental stimulation like puzzle feeders and training will significantly help prevent boredom and depression, taking your pet to see new places rather than the same old place will help out.

When your pets are left at home on their own, you could get them toys that would help with distractions, leaving a piece of your item with your pet to remind them that you will reassure your pet that you will soon be back. If you notice that your dog feels comfortable with other dogs, consider taking them to a quality daycare or visit the dog park.

Adding a topper to the food of your pet temporarily could encourage your pet to eat. This does not mean you should change your diet abruptly, but a sudden diet change may help with digestion issues.

If the depression of your pet is making them act out, you need to mold your behavior in a manner that would not trigger their bad behaviors. Whenever they behave appropriately, you may reward them with attention and treats, and when their behavior is inappropriate, discipline them.

Medications are available for treating depression in dogs, but it is only beneficial when they are combined with supplements, behavioral modifications, and pheromone products. Medications can be especially helpful in pets who have a previous history of anxiety and fear, or those going through a difficult situation.

Referencs.

petmd.com/dog/behavior

webmd.com/pets/dogs/features/depression

goodrx.com/pet-health