CAN PETS GET DEPRESSED? SIGNS, CAUSES, AND VET ADVICE

So, can pets get depressed? Yes, pets can experience depression-like states, often showing signs such as low energy, withdrawal and changes in behaviour after significant emotional or environmental changes.

“Pets definitely can experience changes in their mental health, that we might describe as similar to depression,” explains Ashley Heymans, veterinarian at Manorswood Veterinary Clinic in Gallo Manor, Sandton. “It is difficult to compare it directly to human depression when we cannot ask pets how they are feeling, but changes in behaviour and interactions with us can indicate that they are experiencing some degree of emotional difficulty.”

Can Pets Really Get Depressed?

Yes, pets can experience emotional states that closely resemble depression in humans, although veterinarians generally describe these changes in terms of behaviour and wellbeing rather than as a formal clinical diagnosis.

While animal depression is not as clearly defined or understood as human clinical depression, “pets can experience stress, anxiety and grief from changes in their lives, such as the loss of a companion, change in their environment or routine, or being rehomed,” says Dr Heymans.

Understanding your pet’s individual behaviour and normal personality is the key. A naturally easygoing cat may not be showing signs of a problem simply because they spend most of the day sleeping, while a normally energetic dog who suddenly stops wanting to play may warrant a closer look.

How Can You Tell If Your Pet Is Depressed?

You can often recognise when a pet is struggling with depression by paying attention to lasting changes in their everyday behaviour, energy levels and familiar routines. AAHA’s guide on depression in pets also offers great insights into these behavioural shifts.

“Just like people, pets can have quieter days,” says Heymans. “The important differentiation to make between having a quiet day and behavioural change that warrants concern, is the duration, severity and persistence of the signs. ‘Depression’ or being sad in a pet can also easily be a sign of illness,” Heymans explains. “Since they can’t tell us what is wrong, it helps to get a vet to check them out for anything else that may be going on.”

If anxiety or stress could be part of what your pet is experiencing, our guide on pets and anxiety can help you understand more.

Signs Of Pet Depression To Watch For

The most important clue is a change from your pet’s normal behaviour. Signs can include:

• Lethargy and fatigue: Sleeping more than usual, moving sluggishly, and seeming generally subdued or “not themselves”
• Loss of interest: If your dog or cat suddenly withdraws from you, loses interest in play, walks, or favourite treats.
• Appetite shifts: Noticeable changes in appetite (eating less or refusing food).
• Social changes: Hiding, isolating themselves in quiet areas, or conversely becoming unusually clingy and needy.
• Compulsive behaviours: Engaging in excessive self-soothing actions such as constant paw licking, chewing, or uncharacteristic destructive habits such as increased irritability or uncharacteristic aggression.
• Unusual vocalisations: Whining, crying, or howling more frequently than normal.

Cats can be particularly difficult to ‘read’ because they are often subtle about signs that something is wrong. An unusual refusal to eat or withdrawal from social interaction should therefore be taken seriously.

What Can Cause Depression-Like Behaviour In Pets?

Pets can experience depression-like behaviour triggered by significant emotional, environmental, or physical changes such as:

• Loss of a Companion: The death or absence of a human or animal companion often triggers profound grief.
• Household Changes: Moving home, renovation, or changes in daily routine disrupt their sense of security.
• Separation Distress: Absence of family members after long periods together can trigger distress.

• Seasonal Changes: Reduced outdoor activity during colder winter months or the end of school holidays.
• New faces: New pets or people moving into the home.

 “Small changes that we might not think much of can cause real emotional distress to our pets – sometimes even changes that are out of our control,” says Heymans. “Dogs and cats do not understand when they are placed in a new home, or their person leaves to go to work or school, why it is happening. They only know that something is different and sometimes it is hard for them to cope with it.”

That is why it can be useful to tell your vet about anything that has recently changed at home. Even something such as the end of school holidays, a new guest in the household or the loss of a loved one can provide valuable context. For pets struggling specifically with being apart from their people, learn more about separation anxiety in pets.

Can A Pet’s Breed And Natural Instincts Affect Their Mood?

Breed characteristics can influence how much physical activity, mental stimulation and enrichment an individual pet needs. However, in Dr Heymans’s experience, there isn’t enough evidence to say that certain breeds are inherently more prone to ‘depression’.

A dog with high activity and stimulation needs may struggle if their lifestyle provides very little opportunity for movement, exploration, learning or appropriate engagement. This doesn’t mean that failing to fulfil a historical ‘purpose’ causes depression. Unmet behavioural and enrichment needs may contribute to boredom, frustration or chronic stress, which can affect overall wellbeing.

As Heymans puts it, “Shepherds, collies and pointers require lots of exercise and stimulation, otherwise they can get bored and start to show either destructive behaviour or can become withdrawn and ‘depressed’.”

Understanding what is normal for your pet is therefore just as important as understanding their breed. Our pet breed guide can help you learn more about different breeds’ characteristics and needs.

Matching enrichment to your pet’s needs

Providing breed-appropriate mental and physical outlets by matching your pet’s enrichment to their specific age, energy level and natural instincts is essential for reducing boredom and keeping your pet emotionally balanced, reducing their stress, and satisfying their mental and physical needs.

How Do Vets Diagnose Depression In Pets?

Veterinarians diagnose pet depression primarily through a “diagnosis of exclusion,” meaning there is no single test for depression, so physical and medical causes must be ruled out first.

“In order for a veterinarian to confidently say that your pet has a behavioural problem such as anxiety or depression, they will need to carry out a full examination on your pet and get all of their medical history from you. Once medical causes have been considered or ruled out, we can start looking more closely at social and environmental factors,” explains Heymans.

Many conditions can cause changes in behaviour. Here are a few physical illnesses that mirror emotional distress according to the good doctor:

Underlying Medical Cause	How It Mimics “Depression”
Arthritis / Joint Pain	Reluctance to play, move, walk, or climb stairs
Dental Disease	Loss of appetite, food avoidance, and social withdrawal
Endocrine / Thyroid Disordeanrs	Lethargy, excessive sleeping, and low energy levels
Gastrointestinal Issues	Nausea, reduced eating, and general discomfort

Once medical illness and pain are ruled out, your vet can evaluate environmental and behavioural factors based on your pet’s baseline normal behaviour. This educational guide to spotting depression in pets can help explain this diagnostic process in detail.

Is my pet bored, distressed, unwell or depressed?

To tell if your pet is bored, distressed, unwell or depressed, look for what’s different from your pet’s usual behaviour or any physical signs.

Signs of boredom

• Destructive chewing, scratching or digging
• Restlessness or constant attention-seeking
• More barking or meowing than usual
• Repetitive behaviours such as excessive licking.

Signs of distress

• Trembling, panting, drooling or hiding
• Frequent yawning or lip licking
• Becoming unusually clingy or reactive
• Strong reactions to particular triggers, such as loud noises or being left alone.

Signs that your pet may be unwell

• Loss of appetite or noticeable weight loss
• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• Limping or signs of pain
• Unusual lethargy or excessive panting
• Changes in normal toileting or movement.

Signs of a depression-like state

• Withdrawing from people or other pets
• Losing interest in favourite toys, treats or activities
• Lower energy or reluctance to play or exercise
• Eating less or sleeping more than usual
• Becoming less social than they normally are.

Consult a vet to rule out medical causes before behavioural or emotional factors are considered. Dr Heymans usually considers the type, duration and severity of the change first, along with your pet’s history and physical health.

How Can I Help My Dog Or Pet Who Seems Depressed?

To help a pet who seems depressed, always consult a veterinarian first to rule out any underlying medical conditions, pain, or nutritional deficiencies that often mimic depressive symptoms.

“After that, I love getting families to think about what their pet was bred to do.

Physical exercise is important, but mental stimulation can be just as valuable,” says Heymans. “For dogs, breed-appropriate mental and physical outlets could include:

High-Energy & Herding Breeds	High-drive dogs, such as herding dog breeds, need continuous physical exercise and problem-solving. For example, taking care of a border collie requires structured agility, fetching games, or advanced obedience training.
Scent-Driven Dogs	Hounds and sporting dogs benefit from “sniff walks” (letting the dog lead by nose), snuffle mats, and hidden treat games.
Food-Motivated Dogs	Lick mats, food-puzzle toys, and interactive feeders prolong mealtime and release soothing, endorphin-boosting behaviours for breeds such as golden retrievers.
Digging & Burrowing Instincts	Breeds such as dachshunds benefit from designated digging zones in the yard or plush burrow beds indoors.

And don’t underestimate training. Teaching a dog something new isn’t just about obedience. It gives them a chance to think, interact with you and experience success.

For cats, enrichment might include climbing spaces, scratching posts, hiding places, food puzzles, interactive toys and opportunities to stalk and chase.”

When your pet seems depressed, Dr Heymans emphasises that, “if the changes are persistent, severe, or getting worse, involve your veterinarian or a qualified veterinary behaviourist rather than trying to manage everything at home.” For more ideas, checkout our guide to helping bored pets.

Can Pet Depression Be Treated?

Absolutely, depression-like states in pets can be effectively managed. “The treatment depends very much on why the animal is struggling.”

Sometimes the answer is simply improving exercise, enrichment, routine and social interaction. If an animal is bored or under-stimulated, addressing those needs can make an enormous difference. If grief, anxiety or a significant behavioural disorder is diagnosed by your veterinarian, we may need a more structured behavioural modification programme or medication.

Your veterinarian will assist you with this. Medication can be very helpful, particularly for animals with significant anxiety or behavioural disorders that are preventing them from functioning normally. Medication isn’t intended to simply “sedate” a pet or change their personality. In the right patient, it can reduce the level of anxiety enough so that the animal is able to learn and benefit from behavioural therapy.

“I see medication as one tool in the toolbox, rather than a replacement for addressing the underlying problem,” Dr Heymans explained.

Can Your Emotions Affect Your Pet’s Mood?

Yes, your emotions can significantly affect your pet’s mood and behaviour through a process known as emotional contagion.

“Our pets are extraordinarily good at reading our emotions. They respond to our body language, facial expressions, tone of voice, routines and behaviour. They also learn our patterns very closely. If their owner is stressed, upset or behaving differently, a pet may notice that something has changed and respond accordingly,” explains Heymans.

“There is also a very practical side to this. If an owner is going through a difficult period and their normal routine changes – walks become less frequent, interaction decreases, mealtimes change – the pet experiences those changes too. That doesn’t mean that your dog is going to become depressed just because you had a bad day! Our pets do pick up on our feelings, but often they also want to comfort their person rather than mimic your symptoms.” says Heymans.

“Sometimes helping your pet through a difficult period also means trying to maintain as much normal routine as possible – regular walks, meals, play and positive interaction. In a way, I feel that the routine for our pets can help us too with our own mental health.”

There is much more to explore about the positive relationship between people and pets in our article on how pets improve mental health.

When Should You Speak To Your Vet?

If your pet exhibits sudden, persistent, or severe behavioural changes, contact a professional promptly. Never attempt to self-diagnose complex behavioural issues at home without expert guidance. For professional assistance, seek out trusted veterinary advice.

To ensure your companion receives the best care during unexpected health shifts, explore pet coverage options on dotsure.co.za. Do you have questions? Feel free to contact us today.

Caring for a pet means being there for the everyday moments and the unexpected ones too. But don’t let your pet’s down days get you down. Getting them back to their tail-wagging best is easier when you’re prepared. Get a quote today to protect your furry companion with affordable cover that ensures they always get the care they need.

Meet our Vet Of The Month:

Dr Ashley Heymans practices at Manorswood Veterinary Clinic in Gallo Manor, Sandton. With a background in animal welfare and three years in small-animal practice, Ashley is passionate about keeping pets healthy and strengthening the special bond between people and their animals. At home, she shares her life with six rescue pets. Connect on Facebook or Instagram.