Winter is a time of celebration, but for many people, it’s the time of the year they’re at their lowest — that goes for your dog as well. Does Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affect dogs?
There’s reason to believe that SAD can affect your pup, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Thankfully, there are ways to boost their spirits if your furry friend shows signs of the condition. Here’s how to spot it and how you can help your dog with SAD.
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a form of depression that happens during a specific time of the year. It can happen at any time of year, but is most associated with winter since the cold and darkness can take a toll on mental health. Symptoms of SAD include feeling hopeless, losing interest in beloved activities, feeling fatigued without reason, oversleeping, overeating, weight gain and loss of concentration.
Does Seasonal Affective Disorder Affect Dogs?
Signs your dog may have seasonal affective disorder include seeming indifferent to items that would bring them joy, like walks, toys or treats. Dogs have the same hormonal and chemical reactions in their brain that humans do and symptoms of depression can look the same in both.
It might be a sign of seasonal affective disorder if you find your dog sleeping more, eating less and isolating from environments they usually enjoy. If you and your vet determine your dog is dealing with seasonal affective disorder symptoms, you can do some easy things to boost their mood.
Ruling Out Other Causes
If you think your dog is depressed, ensure you take them to the vet to rule out any physical or other mental problems. Discomfort can lead your dog to not act like themselves, making you think a physical problem is actually mental.
They may not limp or yelp in pain, but that doesn’t mean your dog isn’t feeling it. Talk to your vet about their symptoms and allow them to rule out conditions your dog might suffer from, including gastrointestinal discomfort, headaches and more severe conditions.
How Can I Help My Dog With SAD?
Once the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder present with no other cause, there are some simple things you can try to help them. Read on for a few tips on how you can help your dog with SAD.
Activity
Going outside with your dog — even when it’s cold — can do both of you good. Bundling up and taking a 30-minute walk each day can help release feel-good hormones in their body, allowing them to have a better day. If it’s freezing out, you’ll need to protect their paws with footwear or paw wax so they don’t get hurt.
If you cannot stay outside with them, consider finding more places for indoor activities. Take them to pet-appropriate places, reap the benefits of hydrotherapy or clear out a room for extra play space.
Natural Light
Getting in the sunshine can significantly help your dog deal with seasonal affective disorder. This can be hard in the winter since the sun is only out during work hours, but sneaking in a walk at sunrise and taking advantage of the weekends can do wonders. Try also supplementing with a sun lamp so your dog can experience the feeling of the sun while inside.
Quality Time
Winter can bring a large number of opportunities and commitments that can fill your schedule, stressing you out and isolating your dog. Reducing the amount of work and activities you participate in can help your dog since you can spend more time with them. If you go on a trip or to a dog-friendly location, consider taking your furry friend along for the adventure.
By adding these things to your schedule, you can start lifting your dog’s spirits. If your dog still seems depressed, consider talking to your vet about adding supplements or medications to their treatment plan.
Dogs and Emotions
Dogs feel many emotions, even if they can’t understand them. Research shows dogs can feel love, joy, anger, fear, jealousy, disgust, shyness, stress, excitement and grief. While the reasons behind these emotions can be self-explanatory, they can also be due to hormonal changes or traumatic triggers.
It’s essential to be patient with your pup because they don’t always know why they feel the way they do. Breeds have varying levels of comprehension, with the most intelligent dogs not having reasoning skills beyond a human toddler. If your dog has inappropriate reactions to specific items or situations, it’s best to speak to your vet or qualified trainer to help them conquer their obstacles.
The Human-Dog Connection and SAD
A cause of depression in dogs can be depression in humans. Research shows dogs can sense your emotions — if you’re blue, your dog might get that way, too.
You may only realize your mental state once your dog starts feeding off it. They don’t understand why they feel that way — they just do. Dogs also learn to mimic your reactions to the world, similar to how children do. When you are calm, happy and confident, your pup is more likely to be.
The emotional connection between you and your dog is the basis of your bond. They love and look up to you, so it’s worth working on your struggles to help them with theirs. If you notice your depression is affecting your life, speak with your health care provider about treatments that can bring you and your dog to a better mental state.
Spotting SAD in Your Dog
You want what’s best for your canine companion and it’s hard to see them upset. By knowing the signs of Seasonal Affective Disorder and what you can do to help, you can have your pup feeling better in no time.