50 Unfortunate Animals Whose Day Didn’t Go Exactly As They Planned (New Pics)

Animal experts unanimously agree that pets can feel sad and depressed. How do veterinarians diagnose it? Usually, there's a change of behavior that the owner should notice.

Either a change in eating habits or less energy, but not all signs of depression are equal in all pets. For example, if a dog has depression, it might start licking its paws excessively. Cats, on the other hand, might begin ripping their hair out.

Why does a pet become depressed? Just like in humans, hormone changes might influence pet depression. If there's no underlying health issue, it might also be because of change. Whether it's a change of routine, their usual environment, or just people that they're used to.

A change in owners can be even traumatic for a pet. When there's a particularly strong bond between the pet and the owner, they might sense that the person has depression and start feeling depressed themselves.

So, how can pet owners help their depressed furry friends? The first step is to get a vet to do a checkup. As mentioned above, depression can sometimes be a sign of a more serious health problem. Ruling out other afflictions allows vets to pinpoint the cause of the problem.

And what's the treatment for pet depression, you ask? Well, it's not that dissimilar to human depression. Exercise and fresh air, for one, are great for depressed pets, too. Exercising will release hormones the pet needs to feel better. If it's a depressed cat, you might want to spend more time with them.

Extra cuddles and playtime applies to dogs as well, especially if the cause of their depression is a new family member, such as a baby. In worst-case scenarios, vets can prescribe medication. Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft are usually the medicines for depressed pets.

A sad pet doesn't always equal a depressed pet. As clearly evidenced from this list, sometimes they're just having a bad day. John Woods, founder of All Things Dog, told Romper that it's important to differentiate when the pet is seriously sad and when they've just had a difficult day.

"Dogs love human interaction; they are man's best friend for a reason. If your dog isn't getting the love, attention, and fuss that they should be, this can result in destructive behaviors or an aloof temperament. We can easily confuse an aloof and sad dog for a dog who just isn't getting loved," Woods said.

A sudden loss of appetite is one sign that your pet might be unhappy. And if your pet is starting to eat like crazy, they're also trying to tell you that something's wrong. Basically, what you want to do is watch out if there are any deviations from regular eating patterns. Dog behaviorist Cesar Milan writes on his blog that this could be one of the signs of pet depression as well.

If your pet seems like they just don't have any energy one day – that could also be a sign they're having a bad day. "The emotional state of depression can drain a canine of their usual enthusiasm and vitality, leading to a noticeable decrease in energy levels and overall sluggishness," Milan writes.

Rollpet adds that disinterest in other pets also qualifies as a possible sign of depression. Sometimes, pets can lose interest in playing with other pets that they've always had fun with. If they start biting or scratching their play partner, that's a sign they don't feel comfortable around them for some reason. Experts advise not to push your pet and give them time to adjust.

It can be hard to read a pet's facial expression as they don't use their facial muscles the way we humans do. However, there are still ways to tell a pet is feeling bad just by observing their body language.

Fingers And Paws Dog Training lists some signs that a dog might be feeling off. And they say it's important not to test their limits and give them some space if they're exhibiting this behavior.

Alarming body language can include rounded and worried-looking eyes. If their ears are angled sideways or back and down, that's also a sign that the dog feels anxious. Their tails can also tell a lot about how they're feeling. It shouldn't be lower than usual, and the wag should be sweeping and loose.

Sometimes, pets might want to make themselves look smaller – that's also one sign of anxiety. Unnatural crouching with a lowered head and rounded back can signal that a pet is worried about something.

However, try not to jump to conclusions. All these signals by themselves might signify nothing. Context matters – always look at the bigger picture. If the pet isn't eating, wants more quiet time than usual, and avoids eye contact with the owner, that might indicate an anxiety or depression problem. Remember – it's always better to consult with a vet than try to diagnose your furry friend yourself.