Can dogs suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)? For the past couple of weeks both my Labradors seem to have lost their 'spark' - even the usually much-anticipated visit from the postman evokes nothing more than a whimper. Both are sleeping more than usual too. Do you think they are depressed?
Jane Kerry, by email
As your dogs have had a sudden change in behaviour then I would suggest a vet check to make sure there is nothing going on medically.
ReplyDeleteIt is known that hormones are effected by daylight and this could be what your dogs are experiencing. Like people dogs have a circadian rhythm and melatonin is secreted during the dark, longer nights = more darkness therefore more melatonin being released in the brain.
Hope this helps with the dogs.
Olwen Turns SAC.Dip Behaviuorist Cloverleaf Canine Centre