Is Your Dog Depressed? Here Are 5 Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

We like to think our dogs are always in a good mood. Tail wagging. Tongue out. Living their best life.

But that’s not always true.

Dogs don’t get “depressed” the way humans do, but they can feel low. They can grieve. They can get stressed out by changes. And when something feels off in their world, it shows up in how they act.

The hard part? They can’t tell you what’s bothering them.

So you have to read the signs.

If your dog feels a little… not themselves lately, here’s what to watch for.

If your dog used to lose their mind over walks or toys and now barely looks up, that’s worth noticing. A few lazy days are normal. But when the excitement just disappears and doesn’t come back, something’s going on.

This often happens after big changes. A move. Someone leaving the house. Another pet passing away. Dogs don’t love sudden shifts. It rattles them.

And yeah, sometimes they’re just tired. But if the spark is gone for weeks, don’t brush it off.

Some dogs stop eating much when they’re stressed. Others do the opposite and start eating more than usual. Both can be signs that something’s bothering them.

If your dog skips meals or suddenly seems weird around food, pay attention.

And don’t assume it’s “just mood.” Loss of appetite can also mean pain or illness. If it lasts more than a day or two, it’s worth a vet visit.

Dogs nap a lot. That’s normal.

But there’s a difference between healthy snoozing and checking out of life.

If your dog is sleeping way more than usual, avoids interaction, or seems heavy and slow all day, it could be emotional. This is common when they’re lonely, bored, or dealing with a loss.

So if your dog used to follow you around and now barely lifts their head, that’s a quiet signal.

Some dogs get extra attached when they’re not okay. They’ll follow you everywhere. Sit at your feet. Need constant reassurance.

Others pull away. They hide. They don’t want to be touched.

Both are ways of coping.

When a dog’s personality shifts like that, it’s usually not random. Something feels wrong to them, even if you can’t see it.

A toilet-trained dog having accidents again.

Chewing things they never touched before.

Pacing. Whining. Licking the same spot over and over.

That’s not “bad behaviour.” That’s stress leaking out.

Dogs act out when they don’t know what else to do with their feelings.

So, what can you actually do?

First, rule out health problems. Pain and illness can look a lot like emotional stress. If the change sticks around, a vet check is the smart move.

But if it’s emotional, small things help more than you’d think.

Keep their routine steady. Dogs feel safer when days look predictable.

Get them moving. Walks, sniffing time, simple games. It lifts their mood.

Be gentle with affection. Let them come to you if they want closeness.

Give them something new to focus on. A toy, a different walking route, a little mental work.

And try not to leave them alone for long stretches if you can help it.

Dogs pick up on everything. Your stress. Your tone. Your energy.

So when you slow down for them, they feel it.

And if nothing seems to help, getting advice from a vet or behaviourist isn’t overreacting. It’s just taking your dog seriously.

They show up for you every day.

Sometimes, they just need you to show up a little extra for them too.

Celebrate the bond with your pets, explore Health & Nutrition, discover Breeds, master Training Tips, Behavior Decoder, and set out on exciting Travel Tails with Times Pets!