Pet parents know their dogs best. So, when our pups start acting differently—or seem like they’re down in the dumps—it causes us to wonder what we can do to help. Dogs are typically known to be affectionate, playful and constantly excited. A shift in behavior may have you wondering if your dog is depressed.

Parade Pets chatted with two veterinarians—Dr. Cat Henstridge and Dr. Rhonda Johnson—to unveil potential dog depression symptoms to look out for. Dr. Henstridge is a small animal veterinarian you may have seen on the CBBC show, The Pets Factor. Dr. Johnson has been in veterinary care for 28 years and currently operates her own practice.

First, before writing off your dog as depressed, both veterinarians assert the importance of outruling any underlying conditions—such as chronic pain, dementia, fear or another type of illness.

“‘Depression’ is a pretty human concept,” Dr. Henstridge explains. “The behavior a dog would display because of depression—for example, being grumpy, quiet or refusing to leave the house—would most of the time have a logical underlying reason.”

When you notice behavioral shifts that make you wonder if you have a sad dog or puppy, visit your veterinarian first and have them run the necessary tests. Keep reading to understand signs your dog may be depressed.

Related: 8 Signs Your Cat Is Actually Depressed, According to Veterinarians

How would I know if my dog is depressed?

“One indication that your pet may be grieving is a change in appetite. This decrease in food intake may be expected but should be monitored closely,” Dr. Johnson tells Parade Pets.

Strangely enough, dogs and humans share some similar signs of depression—including changes in appetite and loss of interest in activities they normally love. Dr. Johnson says they may be hesitant to do things they’re excited to do, like going on walks or playing outside.

“If your dog isn’t feeling quite themselves, the signs might be subtle,” Dr. Henstridge adds. “But, because you know them well, you should be able to pick up on that quickly.”

Trust your instincts and the love you have for your dog. Remember, these changes in behavior may also be signs of hidden illness and a veterinarian should be consulted before writing them off as depressed.

Related: Your Dog Communicates More Than You’d Think—Veterinarians Share How To Decode Their Body Language

Pet experts share dog depression symptoms

1. Changes in appetite

Similarly to humans, a sign your dog is depressed may be changes in appetite. Dr. Johnson says that in addition to having a reduced appetite, they may also eat slowly and with less enthusiasm. Make sure to monitor changes in appetite closely.

2. Reduced activity levels

If your dog is typically on the go and they’ve seemed to slow down, this could be a sign of depression. Reduced activity levels and getting more sleep than normal may show that something is astray.

“They may sleep more or stay in their bed when they might normally get up to greet you or follow you through the house. They might also be reluctant to go for a walk,” Dr. Henstridge explains.

3. Withdrawn behavior

Going hand-in-hand with reduced activity levels includes withdrawn behavior from your dog. Dr. Henstridge says they may seem a bit grumpy by avoiding cuddles and attention. They might even have a grumble at you to be left alone.

“If they grumble at you, do not ignore it or punish it. Your dog is trying to tell you something and it is vital you listen and get them the help they need,” she says.

4. Increased vocalization

Dr. Johnson explains that increased vocalization from your pup may be a sign of depression. This could include frequent barking, howling, whining and grumbling.

Related: 8 Surprising Things Your Dog Could Be Trying to Tell You When They Roll on Their Back

Dog depression in the winter

There is not a great deal of research on seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in dogs. Plus, depending on where you live, winters may be extremely harsh or more on the mild side. If dogs do deal with depression in winter, it may have more to do with the dropoff in activity than anything else.

“If the winter weather is drastically different than other times of the year, the change in the dog’s activity, ability to play outside and take walks could definitely contribute to depression,” explains Dr. Johnson.

Dr. Henstridge agrees, citing that some dogs find it frustrating to not be able to go out as much in extremely cold temperatures. “I am not aware of any SAD-type illnesses in dogs—but just like people, the cold can get into their bones,” she says. “If your dog is less keen to go out or seems more withdrawn in the colder months, it is worth getting them checked out by your vet to make sure they aren’t suffering with painful joints.

Otherwise, it’s important to keep them busy indoors while it’s cold outside.

“Make sure you keep them entertained by playing in the house. This is where things like snuffle mats and Kong toys can come in very handy!” she adds.

Related: Do You Have a ‘Velcro Dog’? Here Are the 15 Clingiest Dog Breeds, According to a Vet

How to cheer up a depressed dog

1. Maintain a consistent routine

Dr. Johnson tells Parade Pets that it’s best to keep your dog’s life as predictable as possible because change causes stress. Stress can lead to depression. She encourages pet owners to do their best to keep you and your pets’ schedules the same.

“If you lose a housemate, don’t be hasty in getting rid of their belongings or performing a deep clean,” she explains. “These smells and items provide comfort for pets. You can offer special treats, favorite foods and extra attention and comfort. For some very sociable pets, it might be important to consider adding a new companion.”

Related: The 5 Dog ‘Love Languages’ and How To Offer Them Every Day

2. Let them sniff

Our dogs are active, intelligent creatures who thrive off of our attention and being busy. Of course, physical activity is important, but walks and playtime shouldn’t just consist of throwing a ball and having them chase it.

“Let them potter at their own pace and have a good sniff,” Dr. Henstridge recommends. “Sniffing is incredibly rewarding for our dogs—it is their version of scrolling social media and catching up on the gossip!”

3. Throw away the food bowl

This may seem like a strange suggestion, but Dr. Henstridge tells Parade Pets that owners should consider throwing away the food bowl. This is because, in the wild, food obviously doesn’t appear on a silver platter. Dogs have to work and hunt for their food.

“We can’t replicate this exactly, but puzzle bowls, licking mats or even just scatter feeding can add an enormous amount of entertainment and satisfaction for our furry family,” she explains.

4. Make them comfortable

Remember, dogs are designed to sleep a lot. And in busy family homes, sometimes they don’t get the peace that they need for a quality nap. Is there anything worse than a grumpy pup that hasn’t had enough sleep?

“Make sure your dog has a comfy bed to snooze in,” Dr. Henstridge says. “Ensure when they are resting, they are not disturbed. We all get a bit tetchy if we are tired!”

Next: 6 Signs You’re Actually *Too Affectionate* With Your Dog, According to a Pet Behavior Specialist

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