Though the days are becoming longer again, a melancholy breeze still blows in the spring air. As many as 20 percent of Americans state that they feel more depressed in the winter due to a condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Though the companionship of a loyal dog or cuddly cat may seem like your ticket out of singing the blues, just like its owner, your four-legged friend may have a tendency to become a little down in the winter months, as well.
Veterinarians believe that dogs and cats can also suffer from what is known as SAD in humans. According to Dr. Nicholas Dodman, veterinary behaviorist, professor at Tufts University, and author of several books, including the soon-to-be released The Well-Adjusted Dog, everything in the psychological or psychiatric arena that affects people is eventually discovered to affect domestic animals. So, knowing this, it would be very surprising if SAD didn’t exist in animals.
According to a 2007 survey by the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), a UK Veterinary charity, as many as one in three dogs owners have noticed the depression-like symptoms of SAD in their dogs and half reported that their dogs slept more in the winter months. Also, one in three cat owners said that their cats seemed "sadder" and less energetic.
Scientists understand that SAD has to do with the hormone melatonin, the chemical responsible for natural sleep. It is produced by the peniel gland, also known as the “third eye.” As your retinas pick up light, it connects through tracks to your other brain structures and to the peniel gland. So, when there’s a lack of light, these structures are not being stimulated and your melatonin production increases. And experts now believe the same process can affect animals in the same way! Symptoms include suffering from aching tiredness, sadness and different or strange eating patterns.
In 2005 study, led by Ohio State University’s Randy Nelson, hamsters displayed signs of depression when subjected to low levels of light. The 101 hamsters (53 males, 48 females) lived for 60 days in several containers. Some were exposed to 16 hours of light (long, summer days) and others, eight hours of light (shorter, winter days). At the end of the study, Nelson found a clear connection to the level of anxiety and depression and the total hours of light the hamsters were exposed to.
As said by Dr. Dodman, there are certain animals that hibernate in the winter, which is also directly linked to melatonin and is considered a “syndrome.” These animals go completely into inactivity; it is seasonal. “It does affect their mood,” says Dr. Dodman, “their mood is totally flat. They’re hibernating. And, you’ll notice, it’s always the northern animals—those dealing with winters and dark, long nights who hibernate. There are no tropical animals, to my knowledge, who hibernate.”
The problem is that seasonal affective disorder is hard to diagnose in people. And if it’s difficult to diagnose in people—then how the heck do you diagnose it in a pet? But just because it’s challenging to diagnose, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.
If your pet is exhibiting signs of fatigue or depression during the short days of winter, Dr. Dodman suggests using a micro-sun or some sort of photo-therapy (the use of bright lights as therapy). “It’s a very bright light minus the ultra-violet rays, which will decrease the production of melatonin in your body.”
Talking to your pet, playing games and cuddling can also reverse the symptoms. Not to mention—exercise! Kick-start your pet into a winter health routine with regular fitness and a well-balanced diet. Exercise is now known to scientifically, absolutely and irrefutably produce serotonin, one of the chemicals that causes the “runner’s high.”
So, next December, when your pet woefully rests its head in your lap among empty boxes of chocolates and cookies—cheer up, grab that leash, and go get those endorphins pumping!
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