12 Signs Your Dog is Depressed, According to Experts

It breaks our hearts to see our cute pets out of sorts, and we would do anything to help them get back to their happy-go-lucky selves. While dogs cannot tell us how they feel, they may show subtle signs to let you know they are depressed.

A word of warning — while it may appear as though your furry friend is depressed, they might actually be sick. You should take your dog to the vet and rule out any illnesses or medical issues.

Without further ado, here are 12 signs to watch out for, backed by experts.

Similar Symptoms to People

We likely all know someone who was affected by depression at one point or another. Approximately 9.5% of American adults suffer from a depressive illness each year.

To know whether your dog is depressed, watch them carefully. Four Corners Veterinary Clinic reports that the symptoms are similar to those of humans.

You’ve Undergone a Period of Change

While the symptoms may look somewhat similar to humans, veterinarians don’t really know if dogs suffer in the same way as humans. “It’s hard to know because we can’t ask them,” Veterinary Specialist Bonnie Beaver told WebMD.

She noted that dogs can feel down, especially through periods of change, though it’s usually not long-term. Periods of change could include changing house, new pets, or family members.

Your Dog Becomes Withdrawn

Tell-tale signs that your dog is not feeling their usual self is when they suddenly become withdrawn, according to Carolyn Menteith, a dog trainer and behavior consultant at Purina PetCare.

While withdrawal could indicate an illness or other medical issues, it may indicate that your dog is not feeling quite as happy anymore. They are no longer showing interest in what they used to enjoy.

Clingy, Needy Behavior

While some dogs become withdrawn when they are depressed, others display signs of needy and clingy behavior, according to Dr. Leslie Sinn, a certified professional dog trainer.

Dr. Sinn told the American Kennel Club that they may feel the need to be closer to the owner than before, which shows you how radical the symptoms can be from one dog to another.

Whining

Whining is a way that our lovely pets communicate with us, and it could potentially be a sign of depression or anxiety in dogs. For example, if you are about to leave your home and your dog begins to whine, it could indicate separation anxiety.

Whining can also be accompanied by other signs, such as pacing, trembling, and panting.

Eating Less Than Before

If something is really wrong with your dog, you will notice it by the changes in their eating patterns. If they lose their appetite, it could indicate depression or much more serious medical issues.

“Generally speaking, I would expect to see a dog eat less if it were in a depressed state,” Dog Behaviorist Nick Jones tells INSIDER.

Eating More Than Before

On the other hand, their appetite could actually increase. If your dog is a big foodie, you could find them gobbling much more than normal.

“Dogs can be like people — some will eat less when under stress and some will eat more. Some dogs are so food-driven that you may not see a change in its appetite,” Jones explained.

Sleepiness and Lethargy

If your poor dog is sleeping all the time, it might be a sign of depression. Your dog won’t appear to have as much energy and vitality for life as before. As for going for walks and exercising, Menteith explains that their interest is just not there anymore.

How do we help our dogs? John Ciribassi, DVM, past president of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, tells WebMD: “Keep them engaged, do more of the things they like to do, get them a little more exercise, and they should be fine.”

Sleeplessness

I sound like I am contradicting myself after the last point, but dogs can actually have trouble sleeping if they are deeply upset about something. Jones explains that this period is often accompanied by whining, howling, and other signs of stress, which renders the dog restless and unable to sleep.

Behavior Changes

If your dog suddenly snaps and their behavior changes, you may need to get them checked out. While there could be any number of reasons for this, depression could be one of them.

Behavior change could take the form of aggression and increased reactivity, or it could also involve going to the toilet in the wrong places and attempting to escape, according to Menteith.

Flattening of the Ears

A visible sign that your dog is depressed is the flattening of the ears, according to the staff at VetSupply.

“If your dog’s ears are pulled back or pinned, stress and anxiety might be to blame. Dogs generally flatten their ears against their heads when they are afraid or anxious,” they said.

Comforting Techniques

Dogs that are depressed will engage in comforting behaviors to make them feel better. For some, that might include excessive chewing or licking.

“If you notice that your dog is licking their paws excessively, even to the point of losing fur or creating wounds, then your dog could be depressed,” the staff at Pet Medical Center of Vero Beach wrote.