Improve Your Doggie’s Depression

Many people look for a quick fix when their dog shows signs of sadness. Giving her a treat and some extra attention can go a long way, but if she is home alone five days a week, she may be experiencing depression. Similar to the symptoms of human depression, some of the classic canine depression signs include: fatigue, changes in behavior, decreased excitability, limp tail, overeating, reduced appetite, urination indoors and withdrawal.

Create a peaceful environment for your little pal by making various home upgrades that will promote a stress-free, calm place that supports both your own and your fur baby’s mental health.

Fresh Paint

Ready for this? Dogs are colorblind, but they can see colors. Jay Neitz, Timothy Geist and Gerald H. Jacobs published “Color vision in the dog” in 1989, finding that, contrary to popular belief, dogs don’t just see gray tones, but can also see blue-violets and red-greens.

Color can have an enlightening effect on your pooch’s mood. Color psychologists suggest creating warmth in living rooms by adding earth tones. The bedroom should have cool, calming colors like greens and lavenders. It’s best to tear down any wallpaper that is overly textured or patterned. While you might like an overly flowery wall, your pooch is just confused by the contrast between light and dark, thus stressing him out.

Light Fixtures

If you’re going to be gone in the evening, leave some indirect light on. If you don’t have dimming light fixtures or dimmers, now is a good time to invest in some. You don’t want to leave your pooch in complete dark at night, nor do you want to leave them in a brightly lit room.

New Windows

If your dog is a fan of sunbathing, open up the living area with a large, picture or bay and bow window. Large windows let the sunshine in, allowing your pet to bask while you are gone for the day. The sun has a direct effect on active vitamin D levels in the body, according to veterinarian and author Dr. Demian Dressler. Opening up the room with larger windows brings the outdoors inside, and bringing you one step closer to curing your doggie’s blues.

Remove Clutter

Remove subconscious chaos by getting rid of clutter. They say having a cluttered home encourages a cluttered mind, and that doesn’t only ring true for humans; dogs need routine to ease stress. If the space around their bed has shoes, papers and toys crowding it, it may bring down his or her mood.

Get a rolling cart and place everything lying around onto the cart. Roll it out of the space your dog lounges in all day. Put it under a table or in a closet and tend to it later.

Your dog might just be the most supportive presence in your life. When you are feeling blue, he’s right there to lick your tears dry; and when you are feeling happy, he’s there with a big dog smile. It’s up to you to return the favor by promoting positive mental health.

Bio: Val Heart – Expert animal communicator, speaker, bestselling author & master healer, Val is often called The Real Dr Doolittle™ and Animal Communicator to the Stars. Founder of The HEART System™ for solving problems with pets. Learn about the Animal Talk Coaching and Mastery Club at http://www.animaltalkcoachingclub.com
© Copyright, Val Heart & Friends LLC. All Rights Reserved.  Reprint rights by request only.

This article was previously published March 20, 2015, and was updated on March 4, 2024.

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