Signs Your Dog is Depressed – the signs of doggy depression are very similar to those in humans rom withdrawing themselves from social situations to being quieter than normal – it can be heart-breaking to watch. Some of the tell-tale signs your dog has depression include:

·         Loss of interest in things they usually enjoy;

·         Sleeping more;

·         Sporadic aggression, irritation, or signs of anxiety;

·         Low levels of energy/activity;

·         Significant changes to eating habits (not at all/eating a lot more);

·         Excessive licking (especially paws);

·         Less interaction with other dogs & people;

·         Regression in house and behavioral training;

·         Bored or frustrated;

·         Barking more or being hyperactive.

One of the hardest things about your dog being depressed is that they can’t let you know. But once you’ve spotted the sings, the bet thing to do first is get advice from your vet. There are many ways to help your pup out of the blues. Here are some things you can do to help your dog:

Offering your dog more attention - One of the best ways to help your sad pup is by ensuring they get more attention. It's important to offer this added attention in moderation as you will need to allow your dog time to deal with their feelings at their own pace.

Keep your dog active - Similar to humans, spending time in the fresh air can drastically help to boost your dog's mood. Again, you may need to build this up slowly, but taking your dog out on regular walks will help them both physically and mentally.

When dogs aren't properly stimulated and can't expend all of their natural energy, a dog's boredom levels can turn into sadness. Just like humans, when dogs are active their brains release dopamine and serotonin - the 'feel good' chemicals which supercharge their mood.

Socialising - Dogs are naturally social creatures so, if your pup is feeling a little down, encouraging them to socialise with other furry friends might be just what they need. "This can be achieved perhaps by organising time with other dog friends, through attending doggy day care sessions or perhaps joining training classes," the experts say.

Keep a regular routine - Ensuring your four-legged friend knows what they are doing every day will help their recovery process. Whether it's heading out for a walk at a similar time each afternoon or when they can expect to eat dinner, stability in a routine will help them to perk up.