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Basenjis with feelings….Depression

Behavioral Issues
  • MantisM

    I have heard over the years that animals don't have feelings like humans. I have had cats and now have experienced life with my two basenjis.

    I have seen happy, excited, scared, jealousy, feisty, and now depression.

    Some people see animals as livestock.

    I remember my good friend who is a Regional Director for Banfield Vet Hospitals telling me years ago about new drugs to treat depression in animals. I remember thinking that was weird. I think that the meds she was talking about was for mental illness which really seemed weird or just something not thought about.

    So, now I see Caesar with depression. He has a dog to play with at work that kisses him and totally loves him, but Caesar just isnt the same. I dont think that Caesar has a permanent form of depression and I hope to aid him with adding a basenji puppy to our family, but it is an interesting notion.

    My parents, who have had pets think, well, Caesar can't be missing Beta, he's just a dog. They think I am putting my feelings into the mix to feel like I am seeing this.

    So what do you guys think? Can dogs be depressed? I

    I think so, but I like many treated my Beta's illness as an illness if I had a child.

    Are we over the top to be considerate of a basenji's feelings.

    The last two weeks Caesar has barely moved.

    Caesar and Cairo….the boys

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  • alkiteA

    We lost our toy poodle last year just before we got our B. Our other dog was lost. Her mom was a rescue dog while carrying the litter our girl came from. She had never lived in a home without another dog to play with. When we lost Draven, her personality completely changed. She didn't bounce around or get excited at all. For all outward appearances, she seemed completely depressed.

    We got our B, Gizmo, to help fill our void and hers after loosing our Draven. Angel is back to her old tricks, now. Giz doesn't play in the same way Draven would, and I think she misses that but she has learned how to interact with Giz and things are much better.

    Long story short, I completely believe our dogs have feelings and can be depressed.

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  • MantisM

    I know some people think enthusiasts of any kind are over the top.

    Whether you have a cat or dog, you are all they see of the world all day. How can you not be an enthusiast and be sensitive to their needs.

    I just thought this was an interesting topic for discussion and would love to hear your opinions.

    Caesar and Cairo….the boys

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  • B

    @Mantis:

    So what do you guys think? Can dogs be depressed? I

    I think so, but I like many treated my Beta's illness as an illness if I had a child.

    Are we over the top to be considerate of a basenji's feelings.

    The last two weeks Caesar has barely moved.

    I would think he is depressed or at the very least he misses his friend. I know ours get funny and look lost when one or two of them goes away for a show weekend.
    It was clear to me very early on that these dogs like the company of another B or B's. I can't imagine having only one, if we took all the dogs away and just left one home…......................I can't even imagine what we'd find when we got home.

    We may be over the top being considerate of our Basenji's feelings................Special dogs, Special People!

    Not many of Us would have it any other way.

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  • jys1011J

    I just finished reading the book…The Other End of the Leash...(GREAT BOOK!)...and dogs do share emotions probably not as profound as humans do but they do react differently to different people/animals AND environment. I imagine this is much the same like humans.

    Ceasar's environment has changed & so his reaction to his new environment without Beta is different. Maybe it's sadness or depression or loneliness...I dunno :confused: but he's definitely NOT the same without Beta.

    According to this Animal Behaviorist who wrote the book dogs are much like people in that way. We all have different moods in the morning vs. the evening...on Monday vs. a FRIDAY :) on a cloudy day in winter vs. a sunny day in the summer! Like many animals we react different to what's around us and what's NOT around us.

    As human we can be sad about a death and maybe as a dog he can be "sad" too about death. Maybe in dog language it's not call being "sad" but it's certainly not the same as when Beta was around.

    my two cents :)

    Basenji Mom of C3PO & TOPAZ

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  • B

    @jys1011:

    According to this Animal Behaviorist who wrote the book dogs are much like people in that way. We all have different moods in the morning vs. the evening…on Monday vs. a FRIDAY :) on a cloudy day in winter vs. a sunny day in the summer! Like many animals we react different to what's around us and what's NOT around us.

    I can believe that. They get cranky on rainy days for example.

    Great post BTW.;)

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  • lvossL

    I do believe animals grieve and mourn the loss of animals and people in their lives. When I was in college my roommate had a cat that she allowed outdoors and I had an indoor cat. After living together for 3 years, her cat was struck by a car and killed. My cat grieved for months, crying and looking for his buddy. He was depressed and lethargic until the day I brought Nicky home. When Nicky entered the household he had to worry about surviving with a dog and didn't have time be depressed. Last year we lost our 10 year old cat to a brain tumor. It was a very sudden loss and all of our animals grieved, the dogs coped pretty well, the pack gave them a support system to deal with the loss. Our younger cat also did alright, being less attached to the cat we lost, they often had disagreements and for the most part lived separately, but our oldest cat went into a severe depression. He stopped eating and processed all his fat through his liver causing fatty liver. We very nearly lost him and had to give subcutaneous fluids, appetite stimulants, and do everything we could to get him to eat and get his system back up and running. Truly, I think we would have lost him if it wasn't for the younger cat coming to lay with him and showing him that he had something to live for. Even the dogs were very gentle and supportive of him.

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  • MantisM

    ok guys, so what do you think about Caesar not seeing Beta after she was put to sleep. He was interested in everything but her….

    I suppose it was because she wasnt there, but he didnt seem sad then...

    Maybe it's not depression of her death, but that loss of a companion in the day to day?

    Caesar and Cairo….the boys

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  • VanessaV

    Our cat became depressed last year when our dog died. He would howel in the living room late at night which he never did before. He would even go to the door and howel expecting him to return. Not to mention the fact that he gained weight. It was quite strange.
    I think animals can mourn. Especially an animal who has grown with another.

    Basenji Forums Staff

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  • MantisM

    that is the very reason I thought a puppy would be better than bringing in another adult. i am hoping caesar will show him the ropes and let him snuggle with him even if caesar didnt want to snuggle….

    Caesar and Cairo….the boys

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  • abby_basenjiA

    I do beleive that animals can and do become depressed, when my cat was sick and at the vet my other cat was very depressed and meowed the whole time he was gone they have always been together and he was truely upset. My B is still young and and new in the house but my other dog was gone all day yesterday getting her hair cut and nails trimmed and when my mom went to let Abby out my mom stated that she was upset and "different", so it is possible for them to be depressed.

    Michelle, Abby B, Cooper B, Missy mut, and FatFat the cat!

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  • DukeD

    Hmmm - I think animals love and care for their house mates. I'd like to believe they do anyway because their actions show us in that they can pick up on our moods (happy - sad).

    However, I left home on Sunday and won't be back until Saturday (Florida for a funeral). My son and husband said Duke is Duke - not behaving indifferent in my absence. (I'm his favorite alpha) LOL Actually, I think the boys are having a party while I'm gone. LOL "While the cat's away, the mice will play". And, maybe because Duke is still a 1 yr old pupster, he's not all too concerned about anything but his chewy's, treats & playtime. :)

    Jill

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  • MantisM

    Since Beta's passing Caesar has stopped being active at home and just lays around in his little ball. He was always the playful one of the two.

    I have been taking him to work with me every day to spend more time together. He hangs out in the office with me and occasionally has play time with the shop dog.

    I have been taking him to the dog park on my hour lunch everyday and noticed a strange new behavior. He was attaching himself to every dog in the big dog section and was acting out of place standing by himself. I am sure he was reacting to the absense of Beta. They typically would hang together and inspect everything.I think he always guarded Beta because she was so timid at the park.

    Today when I took him, he was better about sniffing around on his own. It was just a sad moment yesterday and today a slight improvement to being on his own. I cant wait for him to be distracted by the puppy.

    I am sure he will show him all of his naughty tricks like opening the stainless trash can lid by stepping on the button…..

    Caesar and Cairo….the boys

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