Introduction
Pets can be a source of comfort, joy, and unconditional love for their owners. However, mental health issues like depression, anxiety, OCD, and others can negatively impact pets. Understanding this connection is important for the wellbeing of both people and animals.
Signs Your Mental Health is Affecting Your Dog
When owners struggle with mental health issues like depression or anxiety, it can negatively impact their dogs. Some key signs that your mental health may be affecting your dog include:
- Changes in your dog’s behavior and temperament, such as increased anxiety, restlessness, or agitation
- Lack of exercise and stimulation for your dog due to low motivation or energy on your part
- Poor nutrition and care for your dog, like forgetting to feed them regularly or neglecting grooming
- Your dog acting clingy and overly attached, picking up on your emotional state
- Lethargy and disinterest in play or walks among dogs of typically energetic breeds
- An increase in stress behaviors like chewing, barking, or elimination accidents
Dogs are highly intuitive creatures. According to the ASPCA, dogs can develop symptoms of anxiety or depression much like humans do (Source). Their behaviors and dispositions often reflect our own. Failing to meet their basic needs or provide adequate care and socialization due to our mental health struggles can negatively impact their welfare.
Depression
Depression can significantly impact a dog owner’s ability to properly care for their pet. Studies show that pet owners are 41% less depressed than non-pet owners [1]. However, when depression does occur in pet owners, it can negatively affect the human-animal bond.
Common symptoms of depression like lethargy, lack of motivation, and fatigue can make it difficult for owners to meet their dog’s needs. Depressed owners may have less energy for daily walks, play time, and other bonding activities with their pet. This reduction in physical activity and quality time can be detrimental to a dog’s health and happiness.
Additionally, symptoms like sadness, hopelessness, and disinterest can also weaken the emotional connection between an owner and their dog. Dogs are highly perceptive and may notice their owner’s change in mood and disengagement. Without proper affection and attention from their human, dogs can experience their own stress, anxiety and behavioral issues.
While depression makes caring for a pet more challenging, studies show that pet ownership can also have mood-boosting benefits for those with depression. Interacting with pets stimulates the release of serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin in humans, all hormones that elevate mood [2]. For those able, continuing to care for a pet can provide motivation and purpose. However, if depression is severely impacting basic care, rehoming may need to be considered.
Anxiety
Dogs are highly attuned to their owners’ emotions and can pick up on subtle cues that indicate stress or anxiety. Owners experiencing anxiety may unconsciously transmit signals like tense body language, rapid breathing, and agitation that can make their dog feel on edge as well (Barcelos et al., 2023). Dogs may react to their owner’s anxiety by becoming restless, clingy, or engaging in destructive behaviors.
In addition, anxiety can disrupt an owner’s ability to maintain a consistent daily routine for their dog. The lack of regularity in things like feeding times, walk schedules, and playtime can leave some dogs confused and heighten their own anxiety levels. Dogs thrive on predictability, so adhering to a schedule is important for their mental wellbeing (Barcelos et al., 2023).
To mitigate the effects of anxiety, owners should focus on managing stress, practicing calming activities with their dog like gentle brushing or massage, and sticking to a care routine as much as possible. If anxiety severely impacts daily functioning, seeking professional treatment for both owner and dog may be warranted.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in humans can sometimes transfer to behaviors and habits in dog training and care. OCD is characterized by intrusive, anxiety-inducing thoughts that lead to repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety. Some common obsessive behaviors in dogs according to the American Kennel Club include excessive sucking, licking, pacing, spinning, tail chasing and fly snapping [1].
Research shows that genetics may play a role in compulsive behaviors in dogs. According to Dr. Nicholas Dodman from the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, “dogs with mild to severeTail chasing in bull terriers which represented a complex disorder with environmental and genetic factors” [1]. This indicates OCD can be hereditary in some breeds.
For dog owners with OCD, repetitive behaviors can unintentionally transfer to training and care. For example, obsessively washing a dog’s food bowl or over-grooming may result from an owner’s own OCD tendencies. Being aware of obsessive habits and adjusting care routines can help mitigate effects on dogs [2].
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic-depressive illness, involves cycles of mania and depression. The manic highs and depressive lows associated with bipolar can impact a dog owner’s ability to provide proper care. According to the article “Why Owning a Pet Might NOT Be the Right Choice”, manic phases may overwhelm a dog with hyperactivity and lack of routine. Depressive phases can lead to neglect of the dog’s needs for exercise, socialization, grooming, and veterinary care. Consistency and stability are important for a dog’s wellbeing, so it’s vital for bipolar owners to have a support system in place to assist during cycles of mania or depression.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a complex mental health condition characterized by hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and cognitive difficulties. People with schizophrenia often experience a distorted perception of reality, which can negatively impact their relationships – including with pets.
One of the primary symptoms of schizophrenia are delusions, or fixed false beliefs not based in reality. A person with schizophrenia may have delusions about their dog, for example believing the dog is conspiring against them or that the dog is not real. These delusions affect how the person perceives and interacts with their dog.
Another common symptom is a lack of emotional engagement, known as flat affect. People with schizophrenia tend to express less emotion in facial expressions, speech, and body language. This makes it difficult for dogs, who are highly receptive to human emotions and cues, to understand their owner’s state of mind and needs. The owner may not provide the dog with enough positive reinforcement that dogs depend on.
Overall, the distorted thinking and lack of emotional connection associated with schizophrenia can hinder a dog’s training and prevent the development of a close human-animal bond. Without proper treatment and management of schizophrenia symptoms, the condition can negatively impact the person’s relationship with their dog.
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/features/emotional-support-animals-schizophrenia
Ways to Mitigate the Effects
There are several ways you can help mitigate the effects of mental health issues on your dog:
Establish a routine – Having a consistent daily schedule for things like feeding, walking, training, and playtime can provide stability and reduce stress for dogs.
Provide mental and physical stimulation – Make sure your dog gets adequate exercise and enrichment through walks, games, toys, and training. This helps prevent boredom and restlessness.
Enroll in training – Working with a professional trainer can help reinforce positive behaviors in your dog and curb problematic ones stemming from mental health issues.
Build a care support system – For those unable to properly care for their dog, identify family, friends, or professional services that can assist in providing exercise, enrichment, and meeting your dog’s needs.
Consult your vet – If behavioral issues persist, your vet may prescribe medication or refer you to a veterinary behaviorist to help manage your dog’s condition.
Rehoming – In severe cases where a dog’s mental health issues lead to aggression, destruction, or inability to properly care for them, rehoming to an experienced owner may be kindest option.
When Rehoming May be Necessary
While working to manage your mental health issues is important for your dog’s well-being, there are some situations where rehoming your dog may be the best option.
If your mental health issues are significantly impacting your ability to care for your dog and provide a good quality of life, rehoming should be considered. Dogs need daily exercise, enrichment, attention and affection. If you are unable to provide that consistently due to depression, anxiety, or other issues, it may be kindest to find your dog a new home where his needs can be met.
Additionally, if your mental health issues are creating dangerous situations for your dog, rehoming is advised. For example, OCD or anxiety could lead to neglect, while schizophrenia may cause fear or confusion for your dog. Aggression issues are also a major concern. Your dog’s safety and wellbeing should be the top priority.
Consulting with a veterinary behaviorist or certified dog trainer is recommended if you are considering rehoming due to your mental health. A professional can evaluate your specific situation and determine if rehoming is truly necessary or if other interventions may help. Their expert opinion will ensure you make the best choice for you and your dog [1].
Conclusion
In summary, mental health issues like depression, anxiety, OCD, and others can have an impact on our pets. Signs like changes in behavior, anxiety or fear, and excessive vocalizing may indicate our dog is affected. With care and attention, steps can be taken to mitigate the effects. This includes maintaining routines, providing adequate exercise and stimulation, and working with a vet or trainer. Rehoming should only be considered as a last resort if the pet’s quality of life is compromised. The bond with our pets can provide comfort, routine, and purpose that aids mental health recovery.
If you are struggling, consider talking to a mental health professional or contacting support resources in your area for help. With care for both your mental health and your pet’s wellbeing, you can continue to enjoy the benefits and joy pets bring into our lives.
Focus on each day at a time, celebrate small wins, and believe that you and your pet can get through this together with patience and love.