What happens if a dog gets depression?

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Experiencing a death in the family
Moving to a new home
Being left home alone
Spending too much time inside

If you worry that your dog seems sad or low, read our guide to find out the potential causes and dog depression symptoms – and discover how to make your sad dog happy again.

Withdrawn – the dog may have little enthusiasm for exercise or games or joining in with the things they normally enjoy
Lethargic – they may be sleeping more than usual
Loss of appetite - they may lose interest in food or there may be changes to eating patterns

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We like to think of dogs as happy-go-lucky creatures that are quick to show joy, but sometimes we notice an expression of sadness or a change in their normal dog behavior that has us wondering: Do dogs cry? Do they develop dog anxiety? Do they develop dog depression? While your pup does experience a range of emotions, including sadness, it doesn’t experience depression the same way humans do, says Linda Simon, DVM, a licensed veterinarian and veterinary consultant for The Pets.

Your dog isn’t staying up at night worrying about the economy or climate change. Still, the things that make your dog sad are often the same types of things that make you sad, like physical pain, loneliness, loss of a loved one, abuse, and neglect, Dr. Simon says. While most canine sadness is brief, sometimes dogs can experience very deep and long-lasting sadness that may turn into dog depression. There are plenty of dog stories that highlight such deep doggy emotions, like the one about the loyal pup who guarded his deceased owner’s grave for three years.

Your dog may also seem depressed if you are depressed, Dr. Simon adds. Dogs are very perceptive of their humans’ feelings, and when you’re sad, your pup may express sadness as well, even if it doesn’t understand why you are upset. Dogs have unique ways of expressing their sadness, so to help you understand your fur buddy better, we asked experts to share the top dog depression symptoms.

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Like humans, dogs are complex creatures. And like humans, they can become sad for a number of reasons. When considering whether your pup has canine depression, ask yourself if your pet is dealing with any of the following scenarios.

Experiencing a death in the family

You’re not the only one mourning the loss of a family member or another pet. Your dog needs to grieve, too, and might go through a blue period. You can’t really speed up the grieving process, but you can give your dog what it most wants: comfort. Shower your pet in attention—think extra cuddles and treats—while it gets used to the loss, Dr. Simon says.

Moving to a new home

Don’t be surprised if your dog has been acting strange ever since you moved homes. Change can be tough for animals, and your dog might feel depressed while it gets used to its new environment, says Dr. Simon. With a little time and attention, though, your pet should snap out of it and warm up to its new surroundings. While your dog may hate these things, it doesn’t actually hate your new house.

Being left home alone

Your dog probably gets lonely when you’re gone, so if your job constantly keeps you out of the house for long periods of time, your pet might stop jumping up to see you the minute you come home. Dogs are social beings, and they’re not content with being alone for many hours.

First, know how long you can leave a dog home alone. Then do what you can to make sure your dog isn’t left solo for too long—hire a dog walker or ask the usual walker to add another walk to your pet’s schedule, suggests Virginia-based veterinarian Katy Nelson, DVM.

Spending too much time inside

Dogs need space to run around and might become sad if they haven’t been given the chance. Staying indoors all the time, away from nature and sunshine and friends, can take a serious toll on both human and canine mental health, says Dr. Simon.

Know how much exercise your pup needs. Then take the time to bring your dog on long walks or to the park—it’s good for both of you! Once your pet starts getting the freedom it craves, it might slowly get its energy back.

Learning what makes your pup upset is a good first step. From there, it’s important to recognize the signs of depression in a dog. Keep reading to learn the most common dog depression symptoms, according to our experts.