Symptoms of depression

Whether pets are depressed or suffering from depression is difficult to judge or diagnose because they cannot describe their feelings and symptoms by themselves, so we have to evaluate symptoms through their behavioral performance, and doctors must use professional diagnostic tests to judge.

Let’s first take a look at the symptoms of depression in pets.

Symptoms of depression

1) Temperament expression

● Increased aggressive behavior and violent behavior are one of the typical manifestations of depression in pets;

● Irritable and difficult to calm down;

● Difficulty getting excited, listless no matter how much you tease or attract;

● Timid, easily nervous, and react violently to stimulation from the external environment.

　2) Changes in appetite

● A significant decrease in interest in foods, toys or activities that you originally liked;

● Appetite decreased significantly, food intake decreased, and weight also decreased;

● The amount of water consumed has been significantly reduced, much lower than before.

3) Other performances

● Drowsiness, sleeping from morning to night

● Abnormal hair loss, massive hair loss or self-plucking;

● Likes to be alone and does not want to communicate and have contact with the owner;

● Avoiding, not responding to your touch, or even avoiding you;

● Move slowly, always seem slow and weak when doing anything;

● Laziness, unwilling to leave one’s nest or home except for necessary physiological activities.

In addition to unrecovered illness and advanced aging, if pets are lethargic, eat less, are inactive, and lose interests and hobbies, some may even experience abnormal hair loss, self-mutilation, and dull behavior. These phenomena are typical signs that pets are depressed or have suffered from depression. .

Causes of depression

To sum up, cats and dogs being depressed or suffering from depression are probably related to the following factors:

1) Changes in living environment

Changing the place of residence is one of the biggest causes of depression in cats and dogs. Many pets may fall into brief depression after leaving their familiar environment.

　2) Joining of new members

If there are new members of the family, such as other pets, relatives and friends of the owner, or the owner gives birth to a child, the cat or dog will feel left out and appear depressed.

3) The owner leaves

The death of a family member, separation from the owner, or absence from home for a long time will affect the mood of cats and dogs. They can feel very uneasy, nervous, even depressed and frustrated.

4) Seasonal changes 　Seasonal changes will have a significant impact on cats (little impact on dogs). For example, there is less sunshine and cold weather in winter, which may cause cats to be depressed, cause emotional disorders, and cause their behaviors to change. Variety.

The solution to depression

1) Give it enough love and attention

Cats and dogs are not inanimate toys, but like children, they also have feelings. Only with the attention of their owners can they feel happy and safe, so be sure to spend more time with them.

　2) Read their body language

Whether it's a move or a new friend coming to the house, if the cat or dog is unhappy, it will definitely show it. At this time, the owner should understand them, love them patiently, and don't let them feel left out.

3) Consider medication If your pet’s condition is very serious and it is diagnosed as suffering from depression by the hospital, a professional rehabilitation treatment plan must be adopted. Whether drug treatment is needed, you should follow the advice of a professional physician. There are many ways to alleviate or cure pet depression, and we need to cooperate in many aspects to make the effect more obvious.

As mentioned in the above three points, for pets, we should achieve: care + understanding + companionship. Even if it needs to receive drug treatment, having loving companionship can improve the treatment effect and help it recover as soon as possible.