2006-12-17 07:47:18 · 18 answers · asked by intwhite 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I guess so. Depression is often described as an inbalance of chemicals in the brain, and to say a dog is allways going to be perfectly healthy in the head is to say they can't get cancer, another condition both humans and animals get. Depression is not allways just a way you feel, it's a physical problem and doesn't make you psycho in any way. People that think a dog can't feel are ignorant, and if they are told that a dog can and don't accept it, then they're stupid.
Depression is fairly common in birds, and like many depressed people they turn to self harm/mutilation *what do you think feather plucking is?* to get over it. If a bird can have that problem, a dog can too. Hell, I've heard of rodents who would knaw on their skin when nothing was wrong with them physically and then the behavior was traced back to being ignored by their owner. If a mouse can be depressed, a dog sure as hell can.
2006-12-17 11:52:42 · answer #1 · answered by mandy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, dogs can definitely be depressed. The possible causes are many. Because it's a dog, however, the cause should be fairly easy to pinpoint by an attentive, observant human. Is the dog missing someone? Has there been a change in food or routine lately? Is the dog not getting enough exercise? Is the dog being ignored more than usual? Think through these and similar questions to try to figure out why the dog is depressed.
If you can't easily think of a reasonable cause for this 'depression,' please talk to your vet immediately. Many physical illnesses in dogs can cause depression-like symptoms. Some of these are serious, so please take action soon.
2006-12-17 16:01:51 · answer #2 · answered by thejanith 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Dogs can be depressed, you can even get a Prozac for dogs from the vet. Dogs can be depressed for alot of reasons, loss of a friend or companion, or a master. They can be depressed if they are not given enough attention or time. There are some dogs who have gotten depressed over a move to a new house or location. They can depressed for almost the same reasons as us, and there can also be medical reasons.
2006-12-17 17:31:24 · answer #3 · answered by TritanBear 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are documented cases of dogs grieving after a companion dog has died. Or a human. I don't believe humans have studied emotions in dogs enough to say, nor are we ever likely to completely understand what is going on in a dog's mind.
But Dr. Patricia McConnell has been involved in some studies on dogs and emotions and talks about it in her newest book: "For The Love Of a Dog".
I believe it is possible that dogs can get a form of depression. They certainly have chemical imbalances that are similar to things like bipolar or Obsessive compulsive disorder in humans.
2006-12-17 20:45:34 · answer #4 · answered by renodogmom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, unlike what tyke says, dogs do get depressed. Such as when a fellow pet has died, or an owner, or if an owner is away for an extended period of time. They can actually mourn themselves to death. Dogs have very real emotions, much the same as we do. They are not rocks with no feelins whatsoever.
2006-12-17 16:18:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is absolutely NO reason why our little furbabies can not experience depression!! I strongly believe they can get depressed. When they lose a "human" family member, I'm sure they experience some form of grief. They must, because they can mourn!! They just aren't able to tell us what they are feeling, and we tend not to recognize it in them. I think it's because most people don't know enough to see that our furbabies can hurt inside as well!!! A lot of people tend to think of an animal, as just that. An animal. But within that furry body, wagging tail, drooling tongue, and curious eyes, is very much a beating heart. And hearts can break, and when they break, don't tell me that depression will not follow!!!
2006-12-17 16:03:27 · answer #6 · answered by Jillybeanyweiney 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I was a child, my father gave away my dog to a neighbor.
I loved this dog and he loved me and used to follow me to school and walk back home every day. He followed me everywhere I went.
Our yard was not fenced. Our neighbor's yard was. All that my dog did was stand by the fence and whine and would not eat.
To save his life, the neighbor gave him to someone else so that he would not continually stand by the fence, see me and not eat.
The poor dog was in mourning for having been given away.
I do not now what became of him.
So yes, a dog can be depressed when he misses his owner.
2006-12-17 15:55:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, because they aren't played with enough. Dogs are animals that need human interaction to stay happy and healthy. My puppy just got out of the state of depression. She'd always cry and whine when she was laying down. There's more to it, but it would take forever to put it all on here.
2006-12-17 15:56:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sure... my dog gets really sad whenever I leave to go somewhere, and I know when they get into trouble they are feeling sad as well. I'm sure they can be depressed when they don't get enough love or attention... just depends on the dog, I guess.
2006-12-17 15:55:26 · answer #9 · answered by redrancherogirl 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Contrary to one of the above answers, they CAN in fact be depressed. Its not quite the same as human depression, but similar in many ways.
As for causes, there are MANY. More infomation would be needed to gauge a particular dog.
2006-12-17 15:52:59 · answer #10 · answered by sabinepd 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋