Signs Your Dog Is Stressed or Sad

 Dogs have a way of expressing their emotions just as humans do.  With this said, it means that your dog can become sad, withdrawn, or even stressed out. Unfortunately, things like this can lead to depression which is never a good thing. The best thing that you can do as a pet owner is to determine why they are feeling sad or stressed. A few habit changes may get them back to normal in no time! Below are some signs to look out for.

Sleep – Most dogs who are depressed with lay around more and not really want to interact with other people or dogs. You will need to consider age, but if they are suddenly sleeping more often than usual, they may be going through depression.

Appetite – Dogs who are sad and/or stressed may not want to eat or drink. You will need to look for any chance from the normal diet.

Hiding – If your pet is depressed, they may be hiding more. Examples of this would be sleeping under the bed or hiding in the closet. If they are disappearing or trying to be withdrawn in odd places in the home, they could be feeling stressed or sad.

No Play – Depressed dogs might suddenly not want to go for walks anymore. Also, they may not get excited for things that they used to love like a game of fetch or hide and seek.

No Dog Friends – If your dog does not want to play with other dogs, they are probably depressed. Exuberance is a common sign of dog-to-dog play, and if it is missing, your dog may be depressed.

There are ways that you can help your dog get back to normal! First, make sure that they are in good physical health by seeing a vet. Sometimes dogs can become depressed because of a pain or illness. In addition, dogs may be depressed if a big change has occurred in their life (a move, a loss of a loved one, different schedule, etc..). Do your part to determine why your dog is feeling sad and it can definitely be addressed accordingly.