| Despite having fur and four legs, pet owners | | | | another pet, you might consider replacing the |
| often treat their dogs as if they were human. | | | | companion or take your pet to a dog park to try |
| Just like humans, our furry companions have good | | | | and make new friends. Consider putting your pet |
| times and bad times. Dogs, just like humans, can | | | | in doggie-daycare, if you work during the day. |
| get depressed. Unfortunately, unlike humans, dogs | | | | This will ensure that your pet is not alone and will |
| are unable to get over the blues on their own. | | | | also enable your dog to make other canine |
| Signs that your dog may be depressed are similar | | | | friends, that could help pull them out of their |
| to the signs you may see in your human | | | | depression. |
| companions. Dogs can get lethargic, lose their | | | | Be patient with your dog. Just like our moody |
| appetite for food or water, stop playing, and in | | | | human companions, it may take more than a |
| drastic cases, can lose a significant amount of | | | | playful afternoon to get your furry companion to |
| weight. Because pets cannot speak for | | | | liven up. Time, patience and persistence may be |
| themselves, it's important for pet owners to pay | | | | key to turning your dog's depression around. |
| attention to these signs. | | | | If you have tried interacting with your pet and |
| The reasons that your dog may get depressed | | | | your dog still seems depressed, then it's a good |
| are as varied as the reasons that humans get the | | | | idea to take your pet to the veterinarian to be |
| blues. Like humans, pets grieve the loss of a | | | | sure there are no other ailments that are causing |
| loved one, such as a child going off to college or a | | | | your dog's blue mood. If the veterinarian rules out |
| loved one passing away. Sometimes changes in | | | | physical ailments, but your dog is still depressed, |
| lifestyle, such as moving to a new home, or other | | | | it's possible that your pet may be prescribed an |
| sudden changes in their environment, can have a | | | | anti-depressant to correct a possible chemical |
| dramatic effect on your pet. It's also possible that | | | | imbalance, much like the solution for severe |
| your dog has a chemical imbalance that requires a | | | | depression in humans. |
| veterinarian's care. | | | | If your dog gets depressed, there is no need to |
| There are ways to ease your dog's sadness, | | | | be alarmed. No matter the reason for your furry |
| provided that there are no physical ailments that | | | | companions sadness, your dog needs you, more |
| are the cause of the depression. Doing simple | | | | than ever, to see them through this trying time. |
| activities, such as engaging and playing with your | | | | Giving your pet lots of attention, loving care, and |
| dog more or offering your pet a new toy or | | | | patience could be all your dog needs to overcome |
| treat, can sometimes liven up your depressed | | | | depression. |
| pet. If your dog has lost a companion, such as | | | | |