Dog Community

can a dog be depressed? Loss of appetite

Posted : 6/12/2011 1:26:53 PM

My dog stayed with my parents for a week when I had the chance to work a ton of overtime. And their dog and my dog get along soooo well. They play play play then cuddle then play all day long. Its adorable. But this past week since I have had him back he has been acting a little funny. He used to eat all his food asap when I poured it in his bowl, now he eats when he feels like it. It isn't that he has stopped eating, he just may wait a couple hours or something which has me worried. He is drinking water fine, poops fine, and plays with other dogs at the dog park fine. I am just concerned about his change in appetite all of a sudden.

He seems to be fine in all other categories that I don't want to have to take him into the vet and have them run a ton of tests and charge hundreds of dollars to just tell me he is fine.

Any info would be great thanks!

I forgot to mention my dog is 2 years old and is boxer bulldog mix

Bonita of Bwana

Posted : 6/12/2011 7:01:54 PM

Dogs can absolutly feel depressed. As you did not include breed or age it would be impossible for any one to give much additional info. I can suggest what we do as our dogs are both show and therapy dogs. When they go out on the road or sometimes when they come back home from being a "Star" it can affect their appetite. We handle it by simply picking UP their dish after 15 minutes. Any thing not eaten is withdrawn and they do not get additional food until the next scheduled feeding time. With Hounds it takes very few times before they understand they will not get the desired result by not eating their food. On the other hand my brother who is kennel manager for an Irish Wolfhound Breeder will hand feed anyone who does not eat quickly..... as a result it is not uncommon for him to have to do this repeatedly with several of the giants. They were fast to learn they could command the extra effort and attention from him and are happy to do so. We both enjoy very healthy dogs, mine are simply less nuerotic ;0).

calliecritturs

Posted : 6/12/2011 11:22:53 PM

Ditto everything she said --

I never free feed (leaving the foot out so they can eat 'any time';). It's too difficult on many levels - it doesn't encourage them to poop and pee regularly and it's too difficult to tell if you've got a bona fide tummy problem or just a change in mood.

Yes - dogs *can* get depressed, but the biggest sign that you want to heed instantly is "lethargy" -- depression & lethargy can indicate completely different things than just a mood change if that makes sense.

Try what Barbara has suggested -- it's incredibly beneficial in the long haul.

emilyythestrange

Posted : 6/13/2011 9:22:50 AM

I forgot to mention my dog is 2 years old and is boxer bulldog mix

janet_rose

Posted : 6/13/2011 4:51:35 PM

emilyythestrange
I am just concerned about his change in appetite all of a sudden.

If it was me, I would try a round of Safe-Guard (OTC version of Panacur) just in case he picked up a parasite while at your parents' place.