Does My Dog Suffer From A Mental Health Illness?

Mental health is a topic that has gained the attention of many news channels and healthcare practitioners in recent years. The increased awareness of mental health and the illnesses thereof has normalized the idea that it is more common than we might think.

The lifestyle we live today has a major impact on the pressures and paces of how we function. This is true for us, but also for our canine companions. They too can suffer from mental health issues, and these signs are what to look out for in your precious pooch:

• Chasing their own tail: while this is often a fun activity for pups, if it becomes an obsessive behavior in older dogs, it might be an indication of a bigger problem. Another obsessive behavior to keep an eye out for is chasing.
• Sleeping much more than usual: it is normal for an aging dog to slow down after time, but excessive lethargy is not normal and may point to a deeper issue.
• Lost interest in food: our dogs go through phases where they may not be as excited for their meal as we had hoped, however, if you notice an extreme drop in wanting to eat, you may want to take your pooch for a check-up.
• Licking a spot raw: if you notice your canine companion excessively licking a spot that has no injury, or was previously injured and is healed, it may be an indication of abnormality. This behavior can also really lead to bodily harm, and the cone-of-shame might be necessary here.
• Grieving the loss of a fellow furry-faced friend: just as we grieve the loss of a loved one, our canine companions experience it too. If you notice depressive behaviors in your dog after losing a friend, advisors suggest seeking help! This, of course, applies to a four-legged friend losing a human too.

Among these, there are other signs you could look out for. However, there is a common denominator, and that is extreme behavioral changes. If you notice the abnormality, rather be safe and have it looked at.

How often do you take your dogs to the vet for a routine checkup? Let us know in the comments.

Feature Image Source: Pixabay