What are the signs of dog mental illness?

The stigma surrounding pet mental health is beginning to dwindle as the treatments have become more accessible and the topic is more acceptable to discuss. This is no surprise since 1 in every 5 adults in the US struggles with mental health conditions.

However, humans aren’t the only beings whose mental health can be affected, and we now know mental issues in dogs are a real thing. Our canine companions can also experience distress caused by common conditions like depression, anxiety, and OCD.

According to a 2013 study conducted by Emory University scientists, dogs’ brains are strikingly similar to ours—especially when it comes to emotions. Like us, dogs who suffer from conditions like depression or anxiety can self-harm and seriously damage their overall health by not moving and eating enough.