Is my dog depressed?
The signal is not that your dog is lying down a lot — it is that something changed. A resting dog still tracks you: the ears turn when you move, the tail base shifts, they lift their head when you come in. A withdrawn dog does none of that. Before reading it as mood, rule out pain: dogs in discomfort go quiet in exactly the same way, and joints, teeth and thyroid are the common culprits.
What to look at
| Cue | What you see | What it points at |
|---|---|---|
| Ears | Still turning toward you as you move | Resting, still engaged |
| Ears | Not moving even when you enter the room | Withdrawn — worth tracking |
| Eyes | Half closed, softly blinking | Comfortable sleep posture |
| Eyes | Open but unfocused, not following you | Flat affect, or discomfort |
| Tail | Base shifts or thumps when spoken to | Still responsive |
| Posture | Curled or stretched out, loose | Normal rest |
| Posture | Hunched, head below shoulders, front paws forward | Pain posture — see a vet |
When to call a vet instead
- 🩺 Stopped doing something they always did (greeting, jumping for the leash)
- 🩺 Hunched back or head carried below the shoulders
- 🩺 Not eating for a day, or drinking noticeably more
- 🩺 Low mood lasting more than a couple of weeks with nothing changed at home
Questions people ask
Can dogs actually get depressed?
Dogs show withdrawal that looks like depression — less play, less greeting, more sleeping — often after a change like a move, a new baby, or losing a companion. It is real, but it overlaps almost exactly with how dogs behave when something hurts, so pain should be ruled out first.
How long should I wait before worrying?
If nothing changed at home and the withdrawal lasts more than a week or two, that is worth a vet visit. If it appeared suddenly, or comes with a hunched posture, appetite change or panting at rest, do not wait.
What is the most useful thing I can track myself?
A dated photo, once a day, same time and same spot. Mood is hard to judge from one image and easy to see across a week. Change is the signal, and change only shows up against a record.
Made with 💛 and many head scratches. Hachimo is for fun and curiosity — it's not veterinary advice. If your pet seems unwell, please talk to a real-life vet. 🩺