This is about dogs showing signs of poor mental health, including anxiety.

A new survey suggests three-quarters of UK dogs show signs of anxiety and depression. Fortunately, there’s plenty you can do to help – from lick mats to flirt poles

The survey by Guide Dogs suggests that a quarter of dog owners aren’t aware that their pets can suffer from depression. The survey of 1,000 dog owners found that 74% of dogs exhibit behaviour that indicates anxiety and depression. That would equate to about 8.8 million dogs across the UK.

The signs are loss of appetite, destructiveness, low levels of activity.

There are many factors that can impact on a dog’s emotional state – these include changes to routine, environment, social group, or as a result of chronic stress or anxiety resulting from fears and phobias or lifestyle. Some of these can produce what looks like a canine version of depression but so often owners don’t recognise the change in their dog’s mood – or know they can do some very simple things to transform their dog’s life for the better and make ‘dog depression’ a thing of the past.

Recognising the problem is the first step to solving it. Then do a canine mental health assessment on your dog:

• Has anything changed in your dog’s life, environment or social group?
• Is your dog getting as much exercise and stimulation as usual?
• Is your dog getting the right sort of exercise and stimulation to give them an outlet for their hard-wired needs and the things they love?
• Is your dog getting as much contact with you as usual?
• Are you spending enough quality time with your dog? This may be exercise, games, training, dog sports or just hanging out together.
• Is your dog bored? Can you relieve this with an additional walk, short training sessions throughout the day, occasional games, interactive toys, etc?
• Does your dog have any other behavioural issues – especially fears and phobias that may be more prevalent for any reason?

Once you have done this check, you should have a clear idea of what your dog needs from you to lift their mood – and find ways to do this. If you are unable to make the changes (such as in the case of house moves etc) be aware that your dog is struggling and give them more TLC than usual and lots of fun things to do to distract them and support them through the changes.

Regular exercise is important but there’s often more to it than that. “It’s an outdated viewpoint to think that dogs just need a walk or two a day to be content,” said Guide Dogs’ chief scientific officer Dr Helen Vaterlaws-Whiteside.
She recommends a lot of mental stimulation, problem-solving puzzles.

One way to increase stimulation is a food-based puzzle. A lick mat for example, which has patterned nubs among which you smear spreadable treats. The dog has to work its way around the protuberances to get the treats.
She also recommends taking them on a “sniffari” walk. Essentially a walk, but you allow the dog to stop and sniff whatever they want to. Other sensory activities are available, like turning on a bubble machine in the garden.

Dr Vaterlaws-Whiteside also suggests using a flirt pole. Essentially a string attached to a stick, which entices a dog to chase a fast-moving lure. But that should be balanced, and as well as lots of mental stimulation, dogs also need plenty of quality downtime and sleep, too.

Most dogs like routine and are happiest when they know and are confident in their environment. Dramatic changes such as house moves, building work or major home re-organisations can leave your dog feeling uncertain, and you may well see changes in their personality or behaviour as they try to process the changes and regain their routine and feelings of safety.

If your dog’s mood or behaviour has changed suddenly and you can find no reason why this may be happening, visit your vet to check for clinical causes.

Once your dog has a clean bill of health, consult an accredited experienced behaviourist who can look at any behavioural changes or issues, and help you transform your dog’s mood and life for the better.