Do animals get depressed?

[aphex]

My roomate and i got into an interesting discussion while walking through Pet Smart today...

Do you think animals can get depressed like humans can, and if so, do they contemplate suicide??

 

[Smaulz]

depressed, yes... suicide? no...

 

[Lucky]

They certainly do experience depression and anxiety, at least in theory. Our dog lost about 30% of her weight in a two week period 10 years ago when we went on vacation. Just refused to eat, vet said it was "stress-induced anorexia".

 

[snooker]

depressed they do experience. Suicide, well I guess a god would have to tell you that ;-)

 

[Dually]

<< depressed they do experience. Suicide, well I guess a god would have to tell you that ;-) >>



Well then I guess I should speak.

Lemmings are an example.

 

[tweakmm]

yes, dogs to get depressed

 

[Stiler]

actually there are some animals that have ehem, ate themselves if you must say, i guess that could be a form of suicide.

 

[Pliablemoose]

They get depressed & they get neurotic too, pacing, repetitive & self destructive behaviors are clues that they are having emotional problems...

 

[Geekbabe]

My russian blue was treated for anxiety disorder so I'd imagine animals can also get depressed.

 

[HappyPuppy]

When everyone is gone from my house during the day my dogs experience a lack of human stimulation, but I doubt they are depressed. They play with each other and sleep. Sometimes they get into things like toilet paper and string it all over the house. This is a symptom of boredom, not depression.

Animals can be sick and "not feel good", but I don't think their mental processes are capable of producing depression.

Besides, when I, my wife or one of my kids walk through the door all is forgotten and it is play time!

If animals are capable of experiencing depression it is the fault of their owner/caretaker. Make your pet happy!

 

[pulse8]

"Tippy was the only dog we had that commited suicide. We don't like to put it like that - we like to say, "she put herself to sleep." But Tippy ran out in front of a milk truck. Now, that's fu*kin' suicide!"

~George Carlin

 

[Geekbabe]

<< When everyone is gone from my house during the day my dogs experience a lack of human stimulation, but I doubt they are depressed. They play with each other and sleep. Sometimes they get into things like toilet paper and string it all over the house. This is a symptom of boredom, not depression.

Animals can be sick and "not feel good", but I don't think their mental processes are capable of producing depression.

Besides, when I, my wife or one of my kids walk through the door all is forgotten and it is play time!

If animals are capable of experiencing depression it is the fault of their owner/caretaker. Make your pet happy! >>





I don't think it's always a case of it being the owner's "fault" my Vet told me that certain breeds are more prone to certain types
of behavioral/psych issues as the breeding that produces that certain body type and other characteriastics often also breeds less than desirable personality traits.


My poor cat used to be so fearful of everything that moved, he clearly was not enjoying a quality lifestyle, it's amazing what treatment's done for him, he's still a tad on the hyper vigilent side but now at least can enjoy a quiet nap out in the open or a scratch behind the ears and some laptime from me or other family members that he trusts

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

My mom has two dogs that are absolutely devestated every time she leaves the house. They either sleep while she's gone or sit in a chair so they can look out the window and pine away for her. They won't even play with each other while she's not there. But when she comes home they are the happiest dogs in the world.

 

[Bignate603]

A dolphin from the show flipper actually did commit suicide, it went to the bottom of the tank and wouldn't come up to breathe. It may be an isolated incident but i think it reflects the dolphin's advanced reasoning and emotional skills.

 

[BlueApple]

Yes, they can.

Want to know why? Wait for linuxboy.

 

[XMan]

> EXCERPTS FROM A DOG'S DIARY
> >
> > Day number 180
> > 8:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
> > 9:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
> > 9:40 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!
> > 10:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
> > 11:30 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
> > 12:00 noon - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
> > 1:00 pm - OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!
> > 4:00 pm - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
> > 5:00 PM - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
> > 5:30 PM - OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE!
> >
> > Day number 181
> > 8:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
> > 9:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
> > 9:40 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!
> > 10:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
> > 11:30 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
> > 12:00 noon - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
> > 1:00 pm - OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!
> > 4:00 pm - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
> > 5:00 PM - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
> > 5:30 PM - OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE!
> >
> > Day number 182
> > 8:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
> > 9:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
> > 9:40 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!
> > 10:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
> > 11:30 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
> > 12:00 noon - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
> > 1:00 pm - OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!
> > 1:30 pm - ooooooo. bath. bummer.
> > 4:00 pm - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
> > 5:00 PM - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
> > 5:30 PM - OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE!
> >
> > EXCERPTS FROM A CAT'S DIARY
> >
> > DAY 752 - My captors continue to taunt me with
> bizarre little
> dangling
> > objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while
> I am forced to
> eat dry
> > cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is
> the hope of escape,
> and
> the>
> > mild satisfaction I get from ruining the
> occasional piece of
> furniture.
> > Tomorrow I may eat another houseplant.
> >
> > DAY 761 - Today my attempt to kill my captors by
> weaving around
> their
> > feet while they were walking almost succeeded,
> must try this at
> the top
> > of the stairs. In an attempt to disgust and
> repulse these vile
> oppressors,
> > I once again induced myself to vomit on their
> favorite
> chair...must try
> this
> > on their bed.
> >
> > DAY 765 - Decapitated a mouse and brought them
> the headless body,
> in
> > attempt to make them aware of what I am capable
> of, and to try to
> strike
> > fear into their hearts. They only cooed and
> condescended about
> what a
> > good little cat I was...Hmmm. Not working
> according to plan.
> >
> > DAY 768 - I am finally aware of how sadistic
> they are. For no
> good reason
>
> > I was chosen for the water torture. This time
> however it included
> a
> > burning foamy chemical called "shampoo." What
> sick minds could
> invent
> > such a liquid. My only consolation is the piece
> of thumb still
> stuck
> > between my teeth.
> >
> > DAY 771 - There was some sort of gathering of
> their accomplices.
> I was
> > placed in solitary throughout the event.
> However, I could hear
> the noise
> > and smell the foul odor of the glass tubes they
> call "beer". More
>
> > importantly I overheard that my confinement was
> due to MY power
> of
> > "allergies." Must learn what this is and how to
> use it to my
> advantage.
> >
> > DAY 774 - I am convinced the other captives are
> flunkies and
> maybe
> > snitches. The dog is routinely released and
> seems more than happy
> to
> > return. He is obviously a half-wit. The bird on
> the other hand
> has got
> to>
> > be an informant, and speaks with them regularly.
> I am certain he
> reports
> > my every move. Due to his current placement in
> the metal room his
> safety
> > is assured. But I can wait, it is only a matter
> of time...

 

[Geekbabe]

Xerox Man,


Rotflmao !!! The differences between cats and dogs



<---likes cats because one must earn their attention and affection

 

[ChinamanatNCSU]

LMAO Xeroxman, did you write that or get it from somewhere?

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Of course animals get depressed and DO commit suicide. Never heard of lemmings?

 

[GrumpyMan]

Wouldn't you get depressed if you had to eat that crap and get de-flead all the time?

 

[fatbaby]

<< Of course animals get depressed and DO commit suicide. Never heard of lemmings? >>



But wouldn't the animal with suicidal genes die out before they can breed? Nature tends to hand pick the best of the bunch for survival...

 

[Sir Fredrick]

Horses are another example of animals that can get depressed. Do they commit suicide? Well, they lose their will to live quite easily and will die from relatively minor ilnesses or injuries. One of the reasons why you can make a lot of money as a horse vet.

 

[Lucky]

<< Wouldn't you get depressed if you had to eat that crap and get de-flead all the time? >>





man my cat will only eat fancy feast. that stuff is better than what I eat. When i run out of groceries the grilled chicken flavor looks tempting.

 

[Sir Fredrick]

<<

<< Of course animals get depressed and DO commit suicide. Never heard of lemmings? >>



But wouldn't the animal with suicidal genes die out before they can breed? Nature tends to hand pick the best of the bunch for survival... >>



In the case of horses, their best defense has always been the ability to escape predators.

One would think that an animal that can choke on its food would have an evolutionary disadvantage. Monkeys cannot choke on their food, but they can't talk either. Humans can talk, but because of our descended vocal chords, we can also choke. The ability to talk is a stronger advantage than the ability to choke is a disadvantage.