Is your pet depressed? Here are the main signs you may be ignoring

Though not often discussed, our pets can suffer from mental health issues like depression and anxiety, but looking for symptoms can be challenging. Here are a few tips from veterinarians to identify the symptoms in your pets.

Signs to look out for in dogs

For dogs, the American Kennel Club advises pet owners to keep an eye on the behavior of their pooch. Are they less interested in activities they typically love? Are they less excited to see their human or animal friends? Though it can be difficult if your dog is a little lazy, lethargy can be another symptom to watch out for.

Animal Wiz, a pet support YouTube channel advises those who are beginning to see signs of depression in their dog to take them out on longer walks three to four times a day. Similar advise is given to people who are struggling with their mental health, and like humans, walks allow for dogs to become more comfortable in their environment and might even distract them a bit from their sad feelings.

What about cats?

Reading your cat’s behavior can be a little more challenging as they are often more subtle in the way they show affection. However, Dr. Amy Flowers, a veterinarian writing for WebMD, says there are symptoms and signs that owners should be able to take note of if their cat becomes depressed. Dr. Flowers says that, like humans, cats can experience grief at the loss of a loved one or friend, like another pet the cat shared the home with. However, these behaviors are typically temporary. Like dogs, one of the main signs is lethargy or lower activity levels. Sometimes, like people, cats experience depression and can fail to properly groom themselves, typically a result of having less energy overcall. They can also have changes in appetite, like humans, either eating too much or too little, with Dr. Flowers stating that many can “lose interest in their regular diet.”

“Pain is one of the most underdiagnosed conditions in cats, especially among seniors. It is one of the leading clinical causes of depression,” reports Dr. Flowers. If your cat becomes injured, making sure to manage their pain can prevent them from becoming depressed.

Lastly, sudden changes in mood and aggressive behaviors may be a sign that your cat is struggling psychologically.

What options are available to pet owners?

Though it may seem excessive to some people, some animals have benefited from medication similar to that taken by humans to treat their depression. Other owners may like to wait to see if the symptoms resolve themselves, especially if an injury or loss provokes the depression. Speak with your pets veterinarian to determine the best treatment if you begin to see these symptoms in your pets. Never try to medicate your dog or cat at home without medical supervision.