How to Help Overcome Your Pet's Depression

Your pet no longer wags his tail in enthusiasm when you get home. She doesn't even get excited when you offer her a nice big steak. What's wrong with your pet? It could be depression. Pets can get depressed just like people. Depression in pets can be caused by a number of things including loneliness, sickness, the loss of another pet, and moving. Here's what you can do to help your pet overcome the blues.

Be sure to give your pet plenty of attention and playtime. Play with them for at least 30 minutes a day. If your pet is suffering from depression due to loneliness there are a number of things you can do. You can get another pet or brand new toys. You can also put up mirrors around the house to make your pet think there is another animal around when they see their reflection. Some pets really think that the animal looking at them in the mirror is another animal. Be sure to take your pet on a walk. Exercise enhances the mood by releasing "good" feelings. You can try different routes to take your dog on while exercising to provide some variety and liveliness. For cats, be sure to raise blinds and open curtains so they can see what's going on outside.

If your pet seems to be suffering from depression due to a new move, try to arrange the furniture the same way it was arranged in the old house. Take them around the new house or furniture so they can get use to it. Be sure to keep some piece of familiar furniture from the old house so your pet will feel comfortable in the new surroundings. The worst thing you can do to prevent your pet from overcoming their depression is to pamper their depression. Give them attention but don't mope around yourself and sound sad this will only encourage their depressive state. Be happy and excited and that excitement and happiness will rub off on your pet.

Many times a pet will get depressed if someone new comes around and they feel replaced, whether it's another pet or a person. So be sure to include your pet in activities with the new person or pet in your life. Don't leave them out. You can also help your pet get use to the new person or pet by allowing them time to get to know each other without you around. Be sure to continue your regular activities with your pet that you engaged in before the new person or pet arrived. Take walks and play at the same time and for the same length of time. If there will be a new baby in the house, get your pet use to the sounds and smells of a new baby as best you can.

If you are gone all day and your pet stays in the house all day, keep a TV or radio on to keep your pet company. Be sure to give your pet enough toys to play with when they are alone so they want get lonely. If all else fails, there are plenty of dog daycares around that will give your dog plenty of other friends to play and spend time with. You can also hire a pet sitter to visit your pets at certain times during the day to help keep them from being lonely and getting depressed.