Do Dogs In New York State Get Seasonal Depression?

Most of us New Yorkers are already over winter. I mean, it has been brutal with storm after storm. Personally, I'm 99% sure I've diagnosed myself as SAD - suffering from seasonal affective disorder. But what about our pets? Unless your doggo is bred for frigid weather (check out the breeds below that are), it is probably tired of being cooped up during every snow squalls, polar vortex, blizzard, Nor'Easter, or just plain old cold day. Can the cold long winters in New York affect their moods too?

According to Psychology Today, it is very possible that dogs get depressed during the winter months as we have here in New York,

The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals found that approximately 40% of dog owners saw a considerable downturn in their pet's moods during the winter months. In addition half of the dog owners felt that their dogs slept longer, with around two in five reporting their pets to be less active overall.

It says that the reason behind the depression is the effect of light, or lack thereof, on two different hormones - melatonin and serotonin.

According to The Wildest, Scott Sheaffer, a certified dog behavior consultant explained that,

It’s very likely they do experience something like depression, based both on their behavior (like humans, depressed dogs tend to appear withdrawn, lethargic, and disinterested) and the fact that dogs have been known to respond positively to antidepressants.

According to The Kennel Club, your dog may be depressed or affected by winter here in New York if you see some of these signs:

- Withdrawn

- Lethargic

- Loss of appetite

- Inability to settle

- Behavior changes

Hopefully, we can hurry up and get through this winter for the sake of us and our doggos!

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