Sad Golden Retriever: Reasons, Causes and Solution

Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds globally, and for a good reason – they’re adorable, friendly, and great with children. But what happens when your Golden Retriever puppies start to look sad? It might be time to take them to the vet to check their health. Here are five reasons on what caused Sad Golden Retriever solution to make it happy.

Why Does My Golden Retriever Look Sad

Many people believe that their Golden Retriever looks sad because they are missing their family. It couldn’t be further from the truth, as there are many reasons why a Golden Retriever may look sad. Some common reasons include:

1. Golden Retrievers may look sad when trying to get your attention.

2. They may look sad when they are feeling depressed.

3. They may look sad when feeling Mistreatment, Abuse, or Neglect.

4. They may look sad when they are feeling sick

Now let us dig deep into what caused the sad Golden retriever.

Possible Causes of Your Sad Golden Retriever

Attention and Love.

Golden Retrievers are friendly and loving dogs that love to be with their family. They enjoy spending time with their people, playing games and being active.

Read Also: How Much Should a Golden Retriever Puppy Sleep?

If a Golden Retriever feels sad or down, it may stop playing with its people or stop going on long walks.

In a busy household where they are not getting enough attention, it is normal for them to want to spend more time with their humans to show how much they care about you and what you do for them (even though your dog may only be trying figure out why the other members of your family are ignoring him). They will look at you even when nobody else sees or wants to listen, but they are just trying to express their attention needs.

If a Golden Retriever is not spending time with you, this could ultimately lead to bad health (problems such as boredom or anxiety). It can also result in very poor behavior and moodiness as they increase the feeling of loneliness by becoming more clingy towards you when you come back home.

Depression

When a Golden Retriever is depressed, it can show signs of sadness. They may not be able to get out about as much as usual or even want to be left alone for long periods.

If you are concerned about a dog’s depression, there are some simple steps you can take to help them which are signs of depression:

While it might be difficult to tell whether a dog is truly depressed or not, it is thought that dogs, like humans, suffer from depression to some degree. Anyone can be depressed, and depending on the intensity, and it might manifest itself in physical ways that are mild or more intense.

There could be a problem if your Golden Retriever appears to be uninterested in the things they enjoy, such as playing with a favorite toy or eating their favorite dog treats for an extended amount of time. It might be a good idea to make an appointment with their veterinarian in this scenario.

A lack of connection with their pet parent or loved one is a major cause of depression in Golden Retrievers. It can be due to separation anxiety if they are left alone for an extended period or simply because the pet parent or loved one is too busy to care for them.

Mistreatment, Abuse, or Neglect

It is important to know that the sadness you may see in your Golden Retriever does not mean they are being mistreated or abused. While there are many different forms of abuse, it is not something we can often see on a surface level.

Some Golden Retrievers, especially those who have been adopted or are older, may have a shady past. This history could be the source of their melancholy expression, and depending on their circumstances, it could take a long time to fade.

While many foster families and other caretakers work with Golden Retrievers to resolve these difficulties before they are adopted, certain situations can still trigger their melancholy and other behaviors.

Sickness

Golden Retrievers are a very healthy breed, and many people have no idea that their Golden Retriever is suffering from any form of sickness. If your Golden Retriever looks sad because they feel ill, it could be caused by something minor like an upset stomach or a cold.

More serious health problems can also cause your Golden Retriever to appear sad. If you want the behaviors to improve without medication, you need to avoid these circumstances.

Poor Nutrition

It’s important to take your dog for regular checkups and have them checked by a vet. It is especially true if you notice any change in their behavior or health.

One of three things can cause poor nutrition:

• They aren’t eating enough.
• They consume far too much food.
• They aren’t getting enough vitamins and minerals.

If you’re giving your dog the appropriate amount and still gaining weight, likely, they’re also being fed by someone else. For example, a family member may be indulging them with cookies or table scraps without your knowledge.

It’s also possible that they’re eating meals that contain components they shouldn’t be ingesting. Human foods frequently contain elements that dogs cannot eat.

If you’re seeking good dog food, don’t spend your time with comparisons and infinite information on the subject; change your dog’s eating patterns.

Read Also: Why Does My Rottweiler Bite Me? [5 Reasons & What Do]

A good diet can help improve the overall health of a dog.

Not Getting Enough Exercise

Your dog lack socialization which prevents it from fresh air. It is probably the most common reason why your dog looks sad. Dogs are very active animals and need a lot of exercises to stay happy and healthy. It needs to spend quality time doing exercise to become a happy dog. If you aren’t giving them enough exercise, they will get bored, become destructive, or start chewing things.

Low Activity Level: If your dog has a high activity level and you notice them sleeping more than usual, they are likely bored or uninterested in their daily routine. Make sure to add new activities by participating with them and giving voice commands while playing active games.

Signs Your Dog is Sad Or Depressed

Getting Sluggish

Your Golden may become less active, spending more of their days resting or undertaking low-energy, low-excitement activities. They may also prefer shorter walks or prefer to nap rather than go for a walk.

It’s worth noting that there are other possible causes for your golden’s laziness, so take a look at the list of possible causes for your golden’s laziness here. Of course, I included the potential options for helping your golden retriever rebuild their energy levels.

Getting more sleep than normal

If your dog suddenly starts napping until midday or later, it’s something to be concerned about. Sleeping for most of the day is natural for pups, but it is not typical for grown dogs, and it could be a sign of depression.

They stay away from you.

If your dog’s melancholy or depression is related to you or your family, they may begin to isolate themselves from you. It’s worth remembering that they might try to cut you out of the family even if you had nothing to do with the problem.

They consume less food and liquid.

Dogs who are depressed lose their appetite and do not eat or drink as much as they used to. They lose their appetite, and their eating habits may shift, such as carrying their food to another room to eat away from others or preferring to eat later when no one is present.

Wailing or whimpering.

They can begin crying or whimpering for no apparent reason. Their howling tones would be low-energy and melancholy, and if you’ve heard their sorrowful howls before, you know how heartbreaking they can be.

Hide in your house’s dark or deserted rooms

They could begin hiding in dark or isolated sections of the house. They may be doing this to avoid interacting with others or avoiding feeling obligated to do so. It is related to the avoidance behavior mentioned before.

Paw Licking Too Much

Excessive paw licking can indicate sadness, as dogs lick their paws to soothe themselves when they are nervous or anxious.

Things people used to enjoy become unappealing to them.

Your dog may lose interest in objects and activities that piqued their interest. They may no longer be interested in playing fetch, playing with their favorite toys, or going to the park.

Exhibit Obsessive-Compulsive Behaviors

Compulsive habits such as licking their feet incessantly, chewing on furniture, or other behaviours carried out repeatedly and for no apparent reason could indicate that the dog is stressed or depressed and seeking relief.

How to make your Golden Retriever happy

When your golden retriever is upset, what should you do?

Here are some suggestions for how to deal with a sad dog:

• Improve their eating habits
• Please give them your undivided attention and make adjustments in their lives.
• Reward them for being more active and less depressed.
• Take them to the veterinarian.
• Don’t aggravate the situation.
• Let’s have a look at them:
• Improve their eating habits

If your dog is depressed due to insufficient nutrition, it should return to normal in a short time after you modify its diet.

Improving their nutrition entails ensuring that they are eating the right amount of food for their age and activity level and ensuring that they are getting all of the necessary nutrients and, if necessary, supplementing their diet.

Could you pay attention to them?

If you’ve been away for a while or travel frequently, spending more time with them might be time. If you spend most of your day at work, make the most of the time you have together.

Become them a second dog or a cat, ask a neighbor or a friend to check in once in a while, or call them every couple of hours using the Furbo Dog Monitor to ensure they don’t get bored at home alone all day.

The Furbo Dog Monitor also features two-way communication, allowing you to see, hear, and reward your dog while also allowing them to hear and communicate with you.

Changes Should Be Made

You could liven things up a little if their daily routine makes them depressed or bored. Change their walk schedules from morning to evening, or introduce them to different neighborhoods in town.

Taking them to doggy daycare is a fantastic option because it lets them meet new people and interact with new animals.

Reward them for their efforts.

Please make the most of your dog’s activity by rewarding them and engaging with them with high energy whenever they show signs of activity or become a little hyper for a short time.

Demonstrate that this truly makes you joyful while maintaining a high level of energy. Praise them and give them treats; this will encourage them to do it again, and they will gradually return to their normal, active, and happy state.

Take them to the veterinarian.

You should take your dog to the vet if they show signs of illness. If your dog’s bad mood is due to sickness, the treatment will help them feel better in a short time, if not immediately.

Don’t aggravate the situation.

It’s not a good idea to push them to be better or do more activities, ignore them, or penalize them. It’s also a bad idea to be unhappy and lazy around children, even if you don’t have the energy or are down.

It would be best if you tried to express positive energy to your dog because that is the only method to assist them to improve and recover from their sadness.

 

FAQs

Frequently asked questions on Causes and solutions to Sad Golden Retriever

How can I tell if my golden retriever is depressed?

Meanwhile, the best way to determine if your dog is depressed may vary depending on the individual dog and what is causing the depression. Some indicators that your golden retriever may be depressed include excessive crying, reduced appetite or weight, restlessness, decreased activity, and looking sad. If you notice any of these symptoms in your golden retriever, it is important to seek veterinary attention as soon as possible. A vet may perform a physical exam and run some tests to rule out serious health concerns. In the meantime, many treatments can help to improve the mood and outlook of a depressed dog. These treatments may include medication, counselling, and group therapy.

Can Golden Retrievers be depressed?

Yes, Golden Retrievers can be depressed. It is likely due to several factors, including genetic factors, environmental factors, and behavioral issues. If you are concerned that your Golden Retriever may be depressed, it is important to seek out professional help. A qualified veterinarian or animal behaviorist can help identify the root cause of the problem and provide treatment. In some cases, medication may be necessary.

If you are feeling overwhelmed or like you don’t know how to help your dog, it is important to seek out professional help. Depression in dogs can be debilitating and lead to other problems, such as weight gain, decreased mobility, etc. By getting help early, you can prevent these problems and ensure that your dog gets the treatment they need.

Why do dogs always look sad?

Sad look dogs could be because they are missing their owner or someone they love, it could be that they are feeling lonely, or it could be that they are experiencing some pain. Regardless of the reason, it is important to provide your dog with companionship and love to make them feel better. Additionally, keep them fed and hydrated, and provide them with plenty of toys and activities to keep them busy and engaged.

Summing up

It’s no surprise that the Golden Retriever is so popular. Many people find these caring, friendly dogs to be the ideal companions, thriving as members of a bustling family where they can play and participate in the fun. They get along nicely with both children and other animals, and their high exercise requirements make them excellent exercise partners! Even though they require a lot of brushing and there may be dog hair all over the place, these pups make up for it with their loyal and kind-hearted character. The Golden Retriever may be the dog for you if you’re looking for a loyal companion.

I hope you have learned a lot about what causes Sad Golden Retriever and how to make it happy. Kindly share with loved ones. Thank you.