Pet owners may notice their animals showing strange behavior from time to time. But when does it become a mental health problem and cause you to be concerned?
Mental illness in pets is becoming more common, and more pets are being treated with psychotherapy and mood-altering medicines. If left untreated, mental illness in dogs may be as harmful as other disorders and injuries. Here are some specific signs of mental health disorders in dogs.
Dogs may exhibit signs of anxiety and depression, which can coexist. When dealing with these mental health challenges, they may develop obsessive behaviors.
Anxiety
Like many of us, dogs are creatures of habit, and when their routines disturb, they might feel uneasy. They may also experience separation anxiety or anxiety after a traumatic encounter, such as being hurt in fighting with another dog. Anxiety symptoms in dogs might include:
- Avoiding direct eye contact
- They are constantly licking their lips or smelling the air.
- Keeping a safe distance from individuals who approach them
- When they are not fatigued, they yawn.
- Circular or back-and-forth pacing
- Trembling
- Whimpering or whining
- When they are not drowsy, they yawn.
Anxious dogs may look restless and have difficulty calming down. You may also notice changes in their eating or drinking habits.
Depression
Can dogs suffer from depression? That’s an excellent question with no clear solution. We don’t know what’s going on in their heads to compare it to human sadness.
We do know, however, that they may suffer intense sadness and exhibit signs of depression in the same way that humans do, such as:
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Inability to sleep or excessive sleeping
- Absence from social engagement
Depression in dogs is typically short and occurs due to a significant life change, such as moving to a new home. It will usually resolve itself when the dog adjusts to its new surroundings.
Obsessive Behaviors
OCD is characterized by excessive repetition of an activity or behavior, depending on the circumstance.
These are exaggerated versions of normal canine behaviors performed over an extended time and in unexpected contexts. For example, you wouldn’t mind if your dog licked an injured paw, but licking an undamaged paw may imply a compulsive tendency. Compulsive behaviors include:
- Barking
- Chewing
- Over-licking
- Pacing
- Air-snapping
- Spinning
- Toysucking
- Chasing of tail
Compulsive habits might begin as a means for dogs to relax. Problems arise when dogs repeat the act. In a storm, a dog could suck on a favorite toy. They may seek out the toy and repeat the activity if they are worried or nervous.
Final words
Anxiousness may be dangerous to dogs. Constant licking may cause painful injuries or skin diseases. Choking or ingesting tiny particles of things may clog the intestines. Dogs have been known to pursue and attack their tails, requiring amputation.
Aggression, excessive barking, and destructive chewing are all signs of mental health concerns in dogs. These undesirable actions might be harmful. They may need assistance from your veterinarian or a dog behaviorist or trainer.
