How to Recognize Mental Illnesses in Dogs

Yep, mental illnesses in dogs is possible. These mental illnesses can be Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, anxiety, and a lot more. Mental illnesses may be the cause of your dog's unruly behavior like aggressiveness and inappropriate peeing and pooping (where dog diapers and belly bands can be of great help to prevent messy cleanups).

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) happens after a fur-baby experiences a traumatic event. These traumatic experiences may include attack by other dogs, abuse, accidents & injuries.

Anxiety

There are many kinds of canine anxiety but one of the most common is separation anxiety. This happens to your fur-baby whenever you leave home because there is no way for them to tell when you're coming home. They don't like that and they begin to panic. Separation anxiety may cause your dog to tear and excessively chew on furniture and belongings in your house.

Another common canine anxiety is social anxiety. Social anxiety is felt by dogs who are either scared or angry at humans or with other dogs and animals. This anxiety can be caused by the lack of love and care received. Most dogs with social anxiety are dogs from puppy mills, stray dogs and dogs at home that were only kept in cages and never given the chance to go out, play and socialize.

Depression

Yep, there is canine depression, too, but it's quite different than human depression. While humans somehow cope up with routine changes, new people, etc., dogs don't cope up well with it. They prefer consistency and whenever their routine changes, or whenever they meet a new family member or transferred to a new home or loses a friend (human or animal), they feel a little blue for some time and if not managed well, they can completely shut themselves off.

How to deal with it

Most cases of mental illnesses in dogs can take up to a few years if not properly managed and addressed. Your fur-baby can't do it alone. That's why here are few things you can do as a pet parent to speed up your dog's recovery .

Learn to recognize the signs. This is the primary step. When you notice a major change in your dog's life like loss of appetite, no desire to go outside and do the things he loved once, always uneasy and changes his daily routine, schedule a veterinary appointment asap. The signs may not be as obvious that's why you have to keep a very close eye on your dog.

Exercise. A dog doing literally nothing can result to a worsen case of mental illness that's why your dogs must have to keep moving. Exercise serves as a bonding activity between you and your dog. It can also help your dog become relaxed and calm for a few hours. Exercises can include walking, running, swimming, playing fetch. If your pup is more like a senior, hip and joint supplements can also help him to feel like movin' and groovin'.

Provide mental enrichment. Enrichment can be in forms like walking, going to the park, playing games, socializing with other dogs and people, and many more. A dog with a mental illness feels bored most of the times and these enrichment activities can help him big time. Encourage activities your fur-baby finds fun.

Have him wear dog diapers. A dog with mental illness is always anxious and an anxious dog has the tendency to pee and poop on inappropriate places of your home. Having him wear dog diapers will help prevent messy cleanups (as mentioned above) and that means less additional stress for the both of you.