As dog parents, we’ve all seen moments when our pups seem down—less playful, sleeping more, or turning away from favorite toys. But do dogs actually get depressed, or are we just projecting human feelings onto them? Recent scientific studies show that while dogs don’t experience “clinical depression” exactly as humans do, they can enter measurable depressive-like emotional states—and yes, those states are treatable.
What the Science Shows
1. Dogs can show “pessimistic bias.”
Researchers use “judgement bias” tests to measure animal emotions. In these, an ambiguous cue is given and latency or approach behavior is measured. Dogs in shelters or stressful homes tend to interpret ambiguous signals more negatively (i.e., longer hesitation)—a scientific marker of low mood. Read more: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7591058/
For example: one study assessed 51 shelter dogs vs. 40 pet dogs using a bowl-approach task in ambiguous locations. Shelter dogs behaved more pessimistic-like in raw latencies.
Study link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7591058/
2. “Waking inactivity” and anhedonia (the loss of pleasure or interest in activities once found enjoyable).
Healthy dogs that become withdrawn, stop engaging, or lose interest in food and play are showing what researchers call waking inactivity (“awake but motionless,” ABM) or anhedonia. Study link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31284425/
In one study of 43 shelter dogs, dogs relinquished by owners spent more time ABM than strays or legal-case dogs (F = 8.09, p = 0.032).More details: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31284425/
However, that same study concluded the hypothesis that ABM reflects a full “depression-like syndrome” in dogs was not supported—the associations with reduced pleasure/treat-interest were weak or opposite of expectation.
University of St Andrews research summary: https://research-portal.st-andrews.ac.uk/en/publications/could-greater-time-spent-displaying-waking-inactivity-in-the-home
3. It’s not just anthropomorphism (the attribution of human thoughts, emotions, or intentions to nonhuman animals).
Animal-welfare scientists specifically design studies to avoid human bias, using objective measures (activity monitors, response latencies, hormone levels) rather than only interpreting behavior through a human feelings lens.
Read more: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/behavioral-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2016.00119/full
What Causes Low Mood in Dogs
Loss or change (loss of a companion, major household change), pain or illness (arthritis, thyroid imbalance, chronic infection), boredom or isolation (lack of stimulation, exercise, or social contact), and stressful environments (loud noises, instability, conflict). Because emotional withdrawal often overlaps with medical problems, the first step is always a veterinary exam to rule out pain, endocrine or organ disease, and cognitive decline.
Treatment and Care
Environmental and Behavioral Support
Enrich your dog’s environment with walks, scent play, puzzle toys, and short training sessions. Keep routines predictable—meals, walks, and rest times help stabilize mood. Offer social contact and affection, but respect when your dog needs quiet time.
Veterinary and Behavioral Medicine
Veterinary behaviorists often prescribe SSRIs or other medications when appropriate, in combination with behavioral modification. For example, dogs with separation anxiety treated with fluoxetine plus a behavior plan showed more “optimistic” bias changes in judgement-bias tasks.
Learn more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_anxiety_in_dogs
Note: There are few large RCTs (randomized controlled trials) diagnosing “clinical depression” in dogs; most research focuses on anxiety or fear disorders with overlapping biology and symptoms.
Natural Wellness Support
At Sit Stay Forever, we believe emotional wellness begins with a foundation of physical safety and natural health—non-toxic materials, healthy sleep, nourishing grooming products, and plenty of love. Clean air, clean beds, and clean ingredients support not only your dog’s body but their mind.
When to Seek Help
Talk with your vet if your dog withdraws from people or play for more than a few days, shows appetite or sleep changes, stops responding to favorite cues or environments, or develops new fears or aggression. Early attention can make all the difference. Just like people, dogs thrive on connection, purpose, and care.
Final Thought
Depression in dogs isn’t “all in our heads.” Science confirms that dogs experience emotional lows that deserve our compassion and attention. The good news? With care, structure, enrichment, and love, most dogs rebound beautifully.
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