Your dog may suffer from a disorder humans get in winter - signs to look out for

19 November 2023 , 18:43

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No good owner wants to see their pet looking down (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Dog owners should be on the lookout for possible seasonal affective disorder as the days grow ever shorter.

The condition also known as 'SAD,' is common in around five per cent of adults in the US every year and will usually last around 40 per cent of the year, according to the American Psychiatric Association. It can affect people in a number of ways and be difficult to deal with.

The mental health experts said: "SAD is more than just “winter blues.” The symptoms can be distressing and overwhelming and can interfere with daily functioning.

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"SAD has been linked to a biochemical imbalance in the brain prompted by shorter daylight hours and less sunlight in winter. As seasons change, people experience a shift in their biological internal clock or circadian rhythm that can cause them to be out of step with their daily schedule."

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Your dog may suffer from a disorder humans get in winter - signs to look out for

It is not proved dogs can get SAD (Getty Images)

Brains are complex things and forms of depression in dogs is not unheard of either, but PetMD explained that "depression in our animal companions is typically different from the type of depression seen in humans."

So what signs can people look out for?

SAD in dogs

Dogs can suffer forms of depression and one expert has said pet owners can be on the lookout for signs.

Rescue dog rehabilitator Liz Clifton said playing with your dog could be a good way of working off their stress. "Support your dog(s) by offering them a variety of ways to help them naturally relax, release their built-up emotions or tension and lower their base stress levels," she told the Mail.

She added: "Dogs instinctively release stress through chewing, sniffing, licking, sleeping, gentle shake offs, other movements, digging and yawning."

Signs that your pet may be more stressed than usual could be that they are sleeping more than they usually do, have less interest in playing or exercise, or are yawning more. The shake dogs do when they want to rid their fur of water could also be a sign something is wrong if it is happening more than normal. Other signs include being grumpy and misbehaving.

Clifton added: "'Sometimes a change in their usual routine or their environment could result in your dog feeling unwell for quite a while. Knowing what to expect throughout the day and feeling comfortable in their surroundings is very important for a dog."

Can dogs get SAD?

It is not clear if dogs get SAD, but they are known to experience forms of depression.

PetMD says there is "no evidence" of SAD in pooches, but that "some dogs may also develop higher melatonin levels over the winter, which could cause them to sleep more than normal."

The experts added: "Currently, there’s no evidence that pups experience the emotional equivalence of seasonal depression that humans do. Pet parents may notice that their dogs are less active and sleepier than in the summer months."