Sad dog.Photo: Jena Ardell / Getty Images
Dogscan suffer from depression,studies have shown.
According toVeterinarians.org, researchers in the 1980s found that canines can go through behavioral changes for various reasons, prompting them to experience extreme emotions, just like their human counterparts.
“Excessive licking that brings comfort” and “uncharacteristic wining or howling” are other signs of canine depression, according to the organization.
Sad dog.Getty
Getty
A big cause of depression in dogs, the organization noted, can be from experiencing a loss, which can range from that of a human companion or another pet living in the same home.
Veterinarians.org also highlighted various ways in which dog owners can help their pets deal with depression, including creating a predictable routine for them and making sure they are bonded with often.
Making dinnertime “exciting” is another way dog owners can help their canine companions battle depression, as is helping pups with their grooming.
Dog trainers, the organization noted, can help aid against depression in dogs, given that they help rid a pet of “established and unwanted behaviors through conditioning or positive reinforcement.”
Veterinarians.org also highlighted when it is important for dog owners to seek treatment for their depressed canines.
According to the organization, this should be done when a dog’s depressed mood remains the same over a long stretch of time.
Veterinarians will sometimes medicate dogs with prescription drugs, similar to ones that humans take for depression, including Zoloft and Xanax.
When prescribed, these medications, Veterinarians.org said, may take up to four to six weeks to kick in and show effective changes.
source: people.com
