Friday 26 October 2007

Why Dogs Get Depressed At This Time Of The Year Too

There's been quite a bit of publicity these past few days about the increasing number of dogs seemingly suffering from what doctors refer to as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD syndrome, but the rest of us call Winter Blues. It seems vets here in the UK are noticing more and more dogs are displaying symptoms of anxiety and depression, such as sleeping more during the daytime, becoming disinterested in play and generally less good company. Several explanations are being put forward. One alternative I would suggest is anxiety about the imminent arrival of the firework season. From next week onwards the country's skies will be aflame once more as Guy Fawkes Night - or month as it seems now to have become - gets under way. This is a hugely stressful time for many dogs who are terrified of the noise generated. It is entirely possible dogs are depressed because they know this is around the corner. There are a few reasons for this. First we know dogs have excellent internal clocks and can almost certainly tell what time of the year it is. Their sense of smell is going to help here too. The first whiff of gunpowder and bonfires will be picked up, probably from miles away, immediately making dogs fearful of what is to come. Intriguingly, we also know that dogs have an uncanny ability to sense loud noises BEFORE they happen. A well-known study carried out in Sarajevo during the siege of that city discovered that a large percentage of the dog population regularly took cover minutes before mortar or artillery fire began. Amazingly, 72 per cent of owners there reported that their dogs dragged them away from their normal path during the siege moments before gun or artillery fire began, probably saving their lives in the process. So I wouldn't discount PFA, or Pre Fireworks Anxiety being more responsible than SAD. SADly.

No comments: