Is Your Pet Depressed? Here Are Ways To Deal With Pet Depression.

Depression is no good place to live in. Depression is the state of mind, where the self is unable to find the root cause of the suffering and find it difficult to word it out. Today’s world has seen a rise in the number of cases of depression.

If you think it is only the humans who are affected by this silent killer, it is time to think about it again. A recent study has thrown light on how animals are also getting added to this category.  Pet animals like dogs, cats, rabbits, etc. are also known to fall prey to depression.

Have you recently noticed changes in your dog’s behavior? Is your dog getting tired too fast and seems disinterested in any activity? Is your pet showing sudden boosts of aggression? All these signs are not to be taken lightly. They must be trying to throw light or signaling you towards a major problem that needs immediate attention.

While in the case of humans it is easy to recognize an individual suffering from depression, it may not be that easy to recognize in the case of animals. One has to minutely look into the matter and try to get signals whether your pet is depressed or not. the following signs can help the owners recognize depression in their pets.

• Your pet is feeling lethargic

• Is showing a drop in their energy levels and  loss of appetite

There are a number of reasons that can be the cause of leading your pet into depression. This fact has been agreed universally, how animals also go through emotions and get affected by surroundings. The reasons for depression can vary widely from personal to environmental. The common causes of depression in dogs or cats can be any of the causes listed below

• The primary cause remains loss or death of a beloved person or an animal companion

• The second major factor is stress

• Shift to a new place or change in usual routine

• Being left alone for a prolonged period of time

In the case of dogs, they are known to be social animals who love to socialize. They are known to build close bonds with people sooner as compared to other pet breeds. This bond can be the very reason to pull them into depression. If your pet has got accustomed seeing you and if at a point in time, there is a break in its routine can lead your pet to depression.

The major question lies here is how can you get your pet out of depression?  How can you get your pet outside the blues and feel at the pink of their health? Exercise and play can do a lot in shifting its attention and getting it out of depression. This will help stimulate its mind to focus on other things. If the reason for your dog’s depression is a loss of another animal companion, getting a new pet companion can help alter its mind out of the loss.

Do not introduce your pet to a new situation suddenly. Slowly make it acquainted with the situation, let it take the time to inhibit the change without stress. Even after taking all these precautions, your pet is still not showing any particular change in its health, it is advisable to consult the vet on an immediate basis.

Depression can lead to changes in the functionality of body and hinder the usual processes of the system. Your pet may encounter loss of appetite and this will eventually lead to worsening of its health. Consulting your pet to a vet will help in improving its health. Your vet may recommend medications for your pet such as anti-depression or anti-anxiety medications which would soon show a fruitative change in its health”.

Depression is a slow killer, anybody can fall victim to it. Irrespective of whether you are a human or an animal you be get victimized by depression. It is advisable to get an immediate check and treat your pet whenever signs of depression are seen. Prevention is better than cure.