Vizslas are famous for their happy, energetic demeanor. So why does my Vizsla look sad? It is essential to know the signs of depression in your dog so you can do something about it before it gets worse.
Since Vizsla is a cheerful dog, it is less likely to look sad. But there are some reasons for their sadness, such as separation anxiety, fear, abuse, mistreatment, lack of physical activity, improper diet, and environmental change.
This post will talk about six common reasons dogs may show symptoms of depression and how you can help them through these challenging times.
Why Does My Vizsla Look Sad?
Usually, Vizslas are very active and responsive dogs. But, in addition, Vizslas are very loyal, observant, protective of their family members and territory that they view as “home.” So, you can call them fearless at times, which is why it may seem to you like your Vizsla looks sad when he doesn’t want to go outside or won’t come back to you.
Apart from this, there might be various other reasons for your Vizsla’s sadness, such as:
Vizsla Might Look Sad Due To Lack Of Attention
Vizsla is a very loyal dog that loves to please its owner with its tricks. If you’re not giving your Vizsla enough attention or ignoring them too often, this could cause depression in them.
Besides this, Vizslas love their owners very much, which causes them to be very sensitive when they’re not getting what they want. So, when a dog is not receiving the proper amount of physical and mental stimulation, it becomes sad, depressed, and bored.
Abuse And Mistreat
Many Vizslas face mistreatment or abuse as puppies in an unhealthy breeding house. Abused dogs often have a challenging time expressing their happiness and joy, so if your dog is constantly looking down and not wanting to engage in playtime with you, then they may be feeling depressed.
Further, these Vizslas don’t have a strong sense of self-worth, so it’s possible that your pup is feeling sad because he doesn’t believe in his worth.
Inadequate Physical Activity
Your pet needs more exercise because they are part of the hunting dog family that needs to stay physically active. Besides this, physical activities and exercises can stimulate your Vizsal’s brain and make them feel better. So, dogs from this breed will feel bored if not given enough attention or physical activity, so that you might be seeing a doleful expression on their face.
Vizsla Might Look Sad Due To Environmental Change
Some Vizslas might be sad due to environmental change. Dogs work perfectly under certain routines, and if something changes, they can become upset or depressed. For example, after being outside for an extended period, a dog in the house will have difficulty adjusting, especially when it’s dark outside and you’re trying to get the dog to sleep. Likewise, dogs will typically have trouble with anything that disrupts their environment, like a new pet in the home, moving your furniture around, or even going through puberty.
Diseases
Vizsla dogs are particularly susceptible to certain diseases that can make them feel sick, leading to depression and sadness. Usually, with illness and bad health conditions, these dogs cannot rejoice in life.
Dogs are very much like children because they can have a lot of pent-up emotions and thoughts, which will lead to sadness if not dealt with appropriately. For example, Vizsla dogs might be sad due to epilepsy, brain tumor or infection on the central nervous system, heart disease, liver failure, or kidney failure.
Vizsla Might Look Sad Due To Improper Diet
Diet plays a vital role in not only your Vizsla’s physical health but also in its mental well-being. The wrong diet, especially one too high in carbohydrates, can cause a dog to feel down or sad and even depressed.
Further, lack of sufficient nutrition in your Vizsla’s food may lead to a negative mood in your Vizsla dog.
How Do You Know If Your Vizsla Is Sad?
Owing to the cheerful nature of Vizslas, it can be difficult to tell if they are sad. However, if you find that your dog is not responding in the usual way or displays any of the following signs, then there could be something wrong:
- Trouble getting up and activity level decrease
- Your dog will sit or lie down instead of playing.
- Hides from family and friends
- Growls at family members or strangers
- Appears apathetic, withdrawn, or lethargic
- He hesitates to go into a room that they usually enjoy going in.
- Vizsla loses interest in food.
- Avoiding eye contact and socializing less often
- Crying or whining more than usual
- Vizsla starts drinking less water.
What To Do When Your Vizsla Look Sad?
Seeing your Vizla sad can be heartbreaking. But, as a Vizsla owner, you may want to know what is going on. So, you can help your dog feel better as soon as possible.
So, here are some things you can do when your Vizsla is sad:
- Play with them – A good play session will make any dog happy, and it’s not hard to get a playful Vizsla going. Take out the toys or go outside for some fetch time.
- Pet Them – The gentle act of petting can be soothing to both people and dogs feeling down. Rub your dog between the ears, which will calm and promote feelings of happiness in your dog.
- Feed Them – Vizslas aren’t usually picky about their food, but they tend to eat less when depressed or sad. It might not sound like much help on its own, but a Vizsla that’s eating more food will be healthier and happier overall.
- Take Them Out – The beauty of a dog is that they’re always happy to go on walks with you, even if their mood doesn’t seem the same as yours.
- Give Them Love & Attention – One of the most effective ways to cheer up a Vizsla is by providing them with love and attention. Give your dog all of the petting, cuddles, playtime, or anything else they want right now.
If your Vizsla doesn’t seem to be getting any better after these steps, it might be due to health issues. Thus, it would be best if you took your Vizsla for a health checkup.
How To Cheer Up Your Sad Vizsla Dog?
No one prefers a sad dog. And when you see your Vizsla sad and inactive, you might also feel a bit down. Fortunately, there are several ways you can cheer up your Vizsla when it is feeling low and sad. Such as:
- Pet them, hug them, or offer to play with them.
- Give your Vizsla a tasty treat or special toy, like their favorite ball or bone.
- Walk with the dog and let them explore new places on a leash-free walk.
- Take an extended car ride to get out of town for a while.
- Talk to them softly and calmly.
- Give them toys to chew on
- Don’t forget to give them a soft blanket to snuggle with
- Try sound therapy by playing classical guitar, harp music, or the voice of someone they know and love.
Do Vizsla Dogs Get Sad When You Yell At Them?
Yes, it is possible for your Vizsla to become sad when you yell at them. However, Vizsla loves and adores its owner. Thus, a vizsla will always be in search of ways to please its owners.
But when owners yell at them, it can affect their mental health. Vizslas are sensitive dogs and will feel pain when owners use high-pitched voices. Even if they cannot understand what was the owners are saying. Besides this, yelling or screaming in front of Vizsla could cause fearfulness and anxiety, leading to depression.
Can A Vizsla Dog Die Of Sadness?
Sadness in a Vizsla is a serious matter. Why? Because if your pup gets too sad, they can die of sadness. It is canine depression, and it happens when the dog doesn’t get enough mental or physical stimulation. Symptoms include lethargy and lack of interest in food, playtime, toys, exercise, etc.
If you notice your pup is not acting like their usual self, please take them to the vet for a checkup and treatment. However, please do not wait until it becomes too severe. When the sadness of your Vizsla reaches to extremities, it can be fatal and life-threatening. Because your dog will stop eating and starve to death, bite themselves, or worse, their canine mind tends to find self-destructive ways of escaping their suffering.
Can Vizsla Dogs Have Mental Problems?
Mostly, people have an assumption that mental problems are only for human brains, but we all know that it is not the case. For example, there are dog breeds like Vizsla, which have cognitive issues too.
It can be because of some behavioral issues or something else. It’s hard to say what exactly causes this problem in these dogs; however, there are ways you can find out if your dog has any mental issues.
There are many signs you should look out for that indicate this problem in your Vizsla:
- Displays prolonged periods of fear, anxiety, or aggression when encountering unfamiliar people or other animals (e.g., strange dogs).
- Your dog gets nervous around strangers or new objects (i.e., the vacuum cleaner).
- Your Vizsla tends to be timid in new situations.
- Vizsla appears shy around people or when meeting new dogs.
If your Vizsla displays any of these signs, they may have a mental problem. Thus, it is best to consult a veterinarian about this issue.
Conclusion
Furthermore, Vizslas are energetic, happy dogs that love to play. Therefore, if your Vizsla is not acting like its usual self and instead seems passive or withdrawn, it may be feeling sad.
In general, a Vizsla that is unhappy will show a noticeable behavior change. However, if your Vizsla does not seem to be happy, it may need some cheering up. Try spending more time with the dog or taking it for walks around its favorite place; both of these activities are sure to make any sad Vizslas feel better!
