Pet Depression
Pet Depression
Symptoms that are generally associated with pet depression can also be early signs of other medical conditions, so owners shouldn’t assume that depression is always the cause.
Depression in dogs:
Symptoms of depression in dogs are varied and may include:
• lethargy
• a change of eating or drinking habits
• weight loss
• change in personality – dogs may withdraw from their daily routine such as going for walks or playing, preferring instead to sleep
• destructive behaviour
• soiling in the home
• excessive barking
Depression in cats:
As with dogs, symptoms of depression in cats are varied. They include:
• grooming excessively or not grooming properly
• demanding more attention or being withdrawn
• reduced appetite and weight loss
• spending more time sleeping
• clawing at furniture
• being aggressive
If your vet diagnoses your pet with depression you may need to review their lifestyle to try to identify the cause and reduce the affects.
The most common causes of pet depression are:
• Loss of a pet companion. Some pets can become very withdrawn in this situation. A temporary change of environment such as a holiday could help or you may want to consider getting another pet to fill the companionship ‘void’. The latter may not be an immediate success, as it can take quite some time to build a new relationship. This process tends to be much more successful with dogs than with cats. For some pets, the stress of accepting a stranger into their territory just makes things worse, so owners need to carefully consider their pet’s personality before getting another pet – your vet can advise you about this. Pets can also become depressed at the loss of an owner or another human family member.
• Long periods of time on their own. If pets are lonely this can lead to depression. For cats, owners should groom them regularly and pay them lots of attention, such as playing games.. When at work, owners should leave their cat with plenty of toys to play with, to help combat boredom. For dogs, owners may want to consider using a dog-sitter or walker. Dogs in particular do not like being left alone any longer than a few hours.
If depression is diagnosed in your pet, there is an assortment of drugs available that can ease symptoms in some pets, as well as pet behaviourists who can help when a pet feels down in the dumps.
Come to our site and read the weekly Pet Column http://www.in2town.co.uk or http://www.in2town.co.uk/PDSA-animal-magazine-and-animal-advice.html
Symptoms that are generally associated with pet depression can also be early signs of other medical conditions, so owners shouldn’t assume that depression is always the cause.
Depression in dogs:
Symptoms of depression in dogs are varied and may include:
• lethargy
• a change of eating or drinking habits
• weight loss
• change in personality – dogs may withdraw from their daily routine such as going for walks or playing, preferring instead to sleep
• destructive behaviour
• soiling in the home
• excessive barking
Depression in cats:
As with dogs, symptoms of depression in cats are varied. They include:
• grooming excessively or not grooming properly
• demanding more attention or being withdrawn
• reduced appetite and weight loss
• spending more time sleeping
• clawing at furniture
• being aggressive
If your vet diagnoses your pet with depression you may need to review their lifestyle to try to identify the cause and reduce the affects.
The most common causes of pet depression are:
• Loss of a pet companion. Some pets can become very withdrawn in this situation. A temporary change of environment such as a holiday could help or you may want to consider getting another pet to fill the companionship ‘void’. The latter may not be an immediate success, as it can take quite some time to build a new relationship. This process tends to be much more successful with dogs than with cats. For some pets, the stress of accepting a stranger into their territory just makes things worse, so owners need to carefully consider their pet’s personality before getting another pet – your vet can advise you about this. Pets can also become depressed at the loss of an owner or another human family member.
• Long periods of time on their own. If pets are lonely this can lead to depression. For cats, owners should groom them regularly and pay them lots of attention, such as playing games.. When at work, owners should leave their cat with plenty of toys to play with, to help combat boredom. For dogs, owners may want to consider using a dog-sitter or walker. Dogs in particular do not like being left alone any longer than a few hours.
If depression is diagnosed in your pet, there is an assortment of drugs available that can ease symptoms in some pets, as well as pet behaviourists who can help when a pet feels down in the dumps.
Come to our site and read the weekly Pet Column http://www.in2town.co.uk or http://www.in2town.co.uk/PDSA-animal-magazine-and-animal-advice.html