Winter Blues? We can fix that!

It’s that time of year again; we’re losing daylight...With the colder weather approaching and the time change in place, it’s very typical for humans to suffer from a hormonal imbalance. Did you know Fido can suffer from this same issue?

As humans, we typically know what vitamins to take, and what activities to keep ourselves happy and healthy, but what about our pups? As dog-owners (parents rather), how do we go about doing the same for them?

Doggy Blues

First, let’s chat about what the Doggy Blues are. The Doggy Blues are when your pup is suffering from depression. It’s actually very similar to depression in humans and has various causes. Unfortunately, our loving, cuddly, energetic, filled-with-life fur babies, can also be filled with an overwhelmingly sad, helpless, and hopeless feeling at times. 

The symptoms of this depression may be different for every pup, just like they appear differently in every human. What’s important is you know how to spot it, help your pooch feel better, and of course, prevent it from happening once more in the future! 

Symptoms

The most noticeable symptom that your pup is depressed will be a change in energy level. You may notice that they just aren’t themselves. Perhaps they’re sleeping more than usual, and are being lethargic. They may seem uninterested in their favorite toy or going for a walk, as well as a loss in appetite and no interest in drinking water. 

This ultimately adds up to a change in behavior. Sometimes, however, the behavior change may be a bit aggressive or appear as unsettled and anxious. Now that we know the symptoms, how do we treat them? How do we get out our pooch back to themselves as soon as possible?

 Treatment and Prevention

Once you recognize that your pup is suffering from depression, whether it is seasonal or not, it’s time to conduct a Mental Health Check. A full list of steps can be found here. There you can walk through a step-by-step list to see exactly what may have caused this sudden change in your pup, and how to treat it.

However, all in all, be sure your doggo feels safes in their environment. Set aside time for 1:1 quality time, they may miss you! Make sure your pup is getting enough exercise, and if need be, add some additional activity into their daily schedule to lift their spirits. 

It’s important that your pup remains stimulated, especially during this seasonal change. If your pooch loves people and other dogs, keep that in mind and consider taking them to a dog park or having a sitter swing by drop-in visits. Doggy daycare is always a great option as well! Adding a bit of adventure may spark some extra joy and get that tail wagging again! 

It’s important to note that depression can be a serious illness, especially if your pup refuses to eat or drink water. Be sure to keep an eye on your fur baby, and take them to the vet as needed. Always seek a professional for advice.