Do dogs suffer from seasonal depression?

by Dr. Deborah Brown
on October 31, 2024

Every year as the thermometer drops, leaves fall and the days grow shorter, many pet owners experience the dropping mood, falling energy levels and shortening concentration span known as ‘seasonal affective disorder’ (aptly shortened to SAD). But do the dogs who share our lives also share this distressing annual challenge? This article looks at the theory and the reality of seasonal depression in dogs.

Now there’s a question!

In humans, SAD happens because our brains get less natural sunlight during winter. This in turn reduces levels of serotonin – a hormone with a crucial role in mood regulation. It’s not impossible that a similar process may happen in the brains of our furry friends. And whilst it may not manifest as a strong desire to retreat to the nearest comfy sofa with a cosy blanket, the biscuit tin and a subscription to Netflix, many owners do report changes in their dog’s behaviour over the colder, darker winter months.

What are the signs of depression in dogs?

Similar to humans, we can see changes in eating habits, energy levels, sleep patterns, interest and sociability.

Eating habits: usually eating more, but sometimes less
Energy levels: becoming lethargic, or edgy and reactive
Sleeping habits: sleeping more, or becoming restless and unsettled
Interest: losing interest in play or toys, or becoming destructive;
Sociability: interacting less with their humans, or becoming more clingy and anxious.

There’s no scientific evidence to suggest that dogs experience SAD in the same way and for the same reasons that humans do. Nevertheless, in 2018, a large survey of over 3000 pet owners revealed that:

48% of dogs exercise less in cold weather
64% exercise less when there’s ice on the ground
25% exercise less in the rain.

That’s not to say that dogs are digging in their paws at the front door and refusing to leave the house. These figures reflect human attitudes to walking and exercising more than dogs’ enthusiasm or tolerance. But the implications have a huge impact on the physical and mental wellbeing of dogs.

Physical exercise, mental stimulation, play and human interaction are as important to the physical and mental wellbeing of dogs as they are to humans.

So the survey strongly suggests that in the cold icy or wet weather dogs have less opportunity for the following activities:

Getting enough exercise
Meeting other dogs
Playing with owners: fetch, tug o’ war etc
Even getting into the garden

What to do to prevent your dog from getting seasonal blues

Keep to routines: Wrap up and brave the elements! Warm coats can be a vital winter accessory for dogs and humans, paw balms and bootees protect pads from the salt and ice of winter pavements
If you really can’t get out, make up for play indoors
Provide mental stimulation with puzzle feeders and games
If your own health keeps you indoors in wintry weather, consider a dog walker, or doggy daycare

What not to do

Change routines over winter
Overfeed your dog
Give your dog any human treatments for SAD. There may be no harm in sharing your light therapy with a four-legged friend. It may even help! But tablets and vitamin supplements for humans can be very dangerous for dogs. Vitamin D is toxic to dogs.

Winter months bring more challenges than the weather and shorter days. Winter also means bonfire night, New Year and fireworks. For some dogs, the repetitive stress of noise and the fear of loud bangs can lead to symptoms of longer-lasting depression. Check out Joii’s guide to fireworks for pet owners.

Measures to ease anxiety and boost mental wellbeing in any stressful situation for dogs include: