Q: Can dogs suffer from seasonal affective disorder?

A: No studies suggest that dogs can suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD). However, like humans, dogs do have a pineal gland in the brain that produces serotonin and, thus, melatonin, the production of which is affected by light, so whilst it seems unlikely that dogs are suffering from SAD, this cannot be ruled out. To support this, owners have subjectively reported in surveys that they felt their pets became more depressed in winter, sleeping more and being less active. However, this is all anecdotal, and the cause of these observed changes is more likely, instead, to be related to the dogs mirroring our own change in behaviour and mood with the seasons rather than experiencing their own.

Dogs are susceptible to our moods, and if we are suffering from seasonal affective disorder or feel down, then this will probably affect our dog’s emotional state. Equally, if we are less active during the winter months, providing our dog with less mental stimulation and exercise, this is also likely to affect their mood.

It is also worth noting that some conditions, such as arthritis, can be more painful in the colder winter months, so the signs seen in our dogs at this time may, in fact, be due to physical issues rather than psychological ones. For this reason, if you do notice that your dog becomes down in the winter months, you should take him to your vet for a full assessment.

To summarise, if your dog is healthy, the changes you see in your dog are more likely due to changes in your routine and behaviour in these months. To reduce the impact of the winter months, we therefore advise:

• Keeping dogs active so that they are physically stimulated. Do not be tempted to forgo daily walks due to bad weather.
• Play games/provide puzzle toys to keep them stimulated mentally.

Many behaviour issues are due to a lack of stimulation, both mentally and physically. For example, most destructive behaviour stems from boredom, so make sure you keep stimulation levels consistent during the winter, and you should have a happy and healthy pooch.

Top tip

Scent or agility work is a great mental and physical stimulant for dogs.