Do Dogs Get the Winter Blues?

In most parts of the US, we’re smack dab in the middle of the winter season (and maybe secretly wishing that we could be poolside in Miami.) And depending on where you live, you might be getting tired of the constant cold, snow shoveling, sniffly nose, rain, or never-ending grey sky. All you want to do is cuddle up by the fireplace and hibernate until spring.

But, does your dog feel the same way?

There are plenty of anecdotes of dog owners saying that their furry friend gets the winter blues, showing signs of lethargy and changes in appetite. But, could there be a scientific explanation here? Bundle up and let’s see how winter affects our dogs!

Do dogs get SAD?
SAD is an abbreviation for a condition in humans called seasonal affective disorder, and it typically refers to a range of depressive symptoms associated with winter conditions. With less sunlight and access to our normal exercise routines and social connections, it’s common for humans to suffer from SAD during the coldest months of the year.

Anecdotally, dog owners have reported seeing some similar changes in their dog during the winter, such as:

• Low energy
• Denning behaviors, such as spending more time in their kennel or under blankets
• Less enthusiasm for going outside
• Changes in appetite, either eating more or showing less interest in food
• Changes in clinginess, either wanting more or less attention or proximity

While these changes are often shared by dog owners, the truth is, as of the time of this publication, the phenomenon hasn’t been studied in a controlled setting. So, we don’t know exactly how widespread these changes are or why they may be occurring. But, we can make educated theories based on animal behavior and evolutionary science!

Theory #1: Our own SAD may rub off on our dogs
As we’ve covered previously on our blog, our behaviors and moods affect our dogs. In fact, canis familiaris is evolutionarily conditioned to be able to read and react to everything from our facial expressions to our movements to our biological markers like sweat and mouth odor. So, it makes sense that our dogs would reflect some of the changes that we go through during the winter months.

It’s also important to note that we may simply be projecting our own ideas about winter onto our dogs! In other words, as we go through the gloom and doom of the season, we may be more likely to believe that our dogs are feeling the same thing.

Theory #2: Our dogs may be reacting to changes in routine
To be sure, the colder months tend to come with lifestyle changes that affect our dogs. Shorter days, less UV exposure, snow and rain and other conditions can lead to:

• Reduced exercise. We get it. It’s harder to get out there and have fun when it’s snowing, raining, or just plain cold. You might find yourself cutting walkies short or foregoing trips to the dog park.
• Shorter play sessions. If your social life tends to quiet down during the winter months, the same probably goes for your dog. Maybe you spend less time with other doggy friends or invite fewer human friends over than you would during the summer. This lack of social interaction can also affect your dog.
• Reduced mental stimulation. One of the hardest things for us humans during the winter is the fact that everything is gray or white or dark. And, we sometimes forget that this also translates to less mental stimulation for our dogs too. Without birds and squirrels to listen to and with their favorite funky smells being covered up by snow, winter can be a boring time for our furry friends.
• Changes in metabolism. The effect of winter on your dog’s metabolism can go one of two ways. If, on the one hand, they spend a lot of time outside during the winter, you may notice them eating more as a result of burning more calories to stay warm. But, on the other hand, if they are staying inside most of the time and not exercising as much, then feeding them the same amount of food as always can lead to weight gain.

Theory #3: There may be an evolutionary reasoning to doggy “SAD”
When it comes to humans, some evolutionary scientists believe that seasonal affective disorder may have emerged as a biological protection against the harsh challenges of winter. There’s evidence to show that symptoms associated with SAD, such as lethargy, low mood, and weight gain may have led to healthier and more conveniently-timed pregnancies, familial bonding, and energy conservation.  

Not only did our dogs’ ancestors also have to deal with hard winter conditions, but they are also highly social animals, like humans. So, it’s not unreasonable to theorize that they would also benefit from similar survival techniques!

How to help your dog stay happy and healthy through winter
No matter what theory you find most convincing, one thing that all dog lovers will agree on is that we should do our best to make winter enjoyable for our dogs. Here are a few ways to beat the winter blues (spoiler: they’re not all for your dog!)

• Rule out other possible causes for behavior changes. Any changes in behavior should be addressed by a vet, regardless of if you think they might be due to the onset of winter.
• Make a plan to stay active. This might mean putting on a few extra layers so that you don’t cut your walks short or even investing in a doggy treadmill for the garage.
• Boost the mental exercise. There are plenty of activities to keep Fido’s brain working, from scent tracking games in the house to training sessions to indoor agility courses. Installing BreezeGuards on your car windows can also mean that your pup continues to enjoy the sights and sounds of the outside world during your car rides.
• Don’t isolate. It’s very easy to get into a routine of getting home from work and sinking into the couch with your pup. But, the lack of interaction with the outside world isn’t good for you or your furry friend. So, as much as you can, invite friends over, find doggy friends in the neighborhood, or bring your dog to pet-friendly establishments.

From our team here at BreezeGuard, we’re sending you and your doggo a big hug to get through the winter. It’ll be summer before you know it!