If you are interested in ensuring that your dog is as happy and healthy as it can be and want to make sure that your dog enjoys a high quality of life, it’s well worth continuing reading in order to discover some of the top signs of mental health conditions in dogs. That will help you discover whether your dog exhibits any unusual behaviors that could be attributed to a common health condition.
Destruction of your belongings:
If you return home from outings to find that your dog has destroyed your furniture, shoes or clothes, it’s likely that your dog is suffering from a mental health issue such as separation anxiety. If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, which is a common mental health condition in dogs, it’s a great idea to find ways to decrease the duration of time which you spend away from your dog. For example, you may want to work from home or to visit your dog during your lunch break, if you work close to your home. In this scenario, it’s well worth contacting your vet for more solutions.
Shaking or trembling:
If you find that your dog shakes frequently, they may be afraid. For example if you find that your dog shakes when you are preparing to leave the house, it may be experiencing anxiety about being left alone. Or as another example if your dog shakes when it sees another dog when it’s out for a walk or at your local dog park, they may be experiencing a dog version of social anxiety. Especially if the dog is unfamiliar to them or they feel threatened by the other dog’s posturing.
Confusion:
Just like human elders, canines who are in their twilight years can also become more and more confused as time goes on if they develop dementia. Sometimes canines with dementia may also become disorientated. For example, if you have a canine with dementia they may forget how to navigate your home or where their bed is or where their food is kept.
Irregular toileting behaviors:
Dogs you have dementia are likely to get up to urinate multiple times per night, while a dog that urinates in your lounge, may be experiencing high levels of anxiety and stress. So if you find that your dog’s toileting behaviors have recently changed, it’s well worth further looking into the possibility of your dog suffering from a mental health condition.
Depression:
If your dog loses their excitement when it comes to going for walks, eating or playing, they may be suffering from depression. Particularly if they also avoid eye contact and sleep longer than normal.
In conclusion:
So if you have noticed that your dog has irregular toileting behaviors or is becoming increasingly confused or shakes or trembles in uncomfortable situations or rips your furniture and belongings apart when they are left alone, there is a significant chance that they may be suffering from a mental health condition.
