Dogs, like humans, can experience feelings of sadness and even suffer from depression.
In this video, we will talk about 15 signs that indicate your dog is unhappy.
Their tail is often in lowered position
Dogs use their tail to tell you how they are feeling.
If your dog’s tail is carried downward, closer to their hind legs, it can mean they are feeling unwell or unhappy. It could also mean they feel insecure or scared, which is especially true of many dogs when they are in an unknown or new setting or situation.
On the contrary, when a dog is happy, their tail and whole body will look relaxed, and they often wag their tail vigorously!
They are aggressive
If your dog frequently displays aggressive behavior towards people, animals, or anything that crosses their path, it could be a sign that they are unhappy or experiencing anxiety.
Aggressive behaviors can stem from fear, pain, anxiety, or territorial instincts.
They are destructive
Dogs who exhibit destructive or aggressive behaviors-such as tearing up furniture or carpet, snarling or biting -are generally under stress, anxiety, or perhaps even bored.
They are withdrawn and distant
Dogs are social animals and they tend to stay together and close to the individuals-people, dogs, or other animals-that they’re bonded to. A happy dog will want to spend time with their family and will come to you for attention.
If your dog becomes withdrawn or shows distant behavior from you, they could be feeling stressed or sad.
They lick their own fur more regularly
According to one new study, lonely dogs may lick or bite at their own fur more often, resulting in patches of lost fur. Lick granulomas are a common manifestation of boredom or anxiety in dogs, and present as small circular sores that are often on the dog's carpus or wrist.
They don’t make eye contact with you
Soft eye contact is a major sign of trust in canines. So those loving looks the two of you share while hanging out together on the couch are sure signs of a happy dog.
On the contrary, if a dog feels stressed, they will pointedly look away and avoid eye contact.
A dog displaying this behavior is usually trying to avoid any kind of interaction, good or bad. You often notice this in dogs recently rescued from negative or traumatic situations.
They have a low sense of excitement
Dogs are known for their remarkable sense of excitement. They display great enthusiasm for various activities like dinner, playtime, and walks. Some dogs even express their excitement by hopping or bouncing around.
On the other hand, when a dog is feeling sad or unwell, their level of excitement and happiness tends to decrease. This can be observed through their lack of interest in activities like walks or mealtime.
Inability to Settle and Relax
If your pooch can’t relax and constantly appears on edge, they might be experiencing stress or anxiety. Dogs that can't settle may flinch at every sound or wake up frequently from sleep. Even while lying down, a stressed dog may have wide, alert eyes and a tense body posture.
On the contrary, being calm and relaxed are signs that your canine companion is content.
In fact, healthy and happy adult dogs typically sleep for up to 16 hours a day.
Coat appearance
A dog's coat reflects their health and mental state. A shiny, clean coat is a sign of good health and an indicator that a dog isn’t experiencing any emotional or environmental stress. An unhappy dog will have uneven fur and a disheveled look. They may even start to neglect their grooming routine. Sometimes, their skin might also appear to flake.
An unhealthy appetite
Happy dogs tend to have healthy appetites.
If your canine companion refuses to eat or has a diminished appetite, it could be a sign that they’re not feeling well, or that they’re experiencing anxiety or stress.
They Ignore Your Commands
Some people think training a dog is all about the dog, but it’s also about a dog’s emotional state. If a dog is sad or unhappy in their environment, they are less likely to respond well to training.
Common causes of depression in dogs
While there are a variety of triggers for depression, it is frequently caused by a major change in a dog’s life. This includes the death of a loved one, change of residence, a new pet or baby in the household, hormonal changes, punishment and abuse, or a health issue.
Interestingly enough, dogs also pick up on our emotions. Research has shown that when we get stressed, our dogs get stressed out, too.
So don’t be surprised if your pup acts differently when you’ve had a bad day at work. Your faithful, furry friend is responding to your mood.
Another common cause of depression in dogs is loneliness or boredom. Dogs need space to run around and might become sad if they haven’t been given the chance to explore and interact with humans or other dogs. Staying indoors all the time or not getting enough attention from their humans, can take a serious toll on canine mental health.