Involutive depression in older dogs: What it is and what you can do about it

Published on 22 August 2024 | Themes covered:anxiety , behaviour , brain , dog , illness , senior

Our dogs provide us with loyal and loving companionship. Their friendship and love is unconditional. When dogs reach their golden years, we want to make sure that they’re comfortable and happy. The last thing that any dog owner wants is for their beloved dog to feel sad or unwell during its last years. Unfortunately, as your dog gets older, it will inevitably develop medical conditions. But what about your dog’s mental health? Do dogs develop mental health issues as they age?

As it turns out, they do. Doggy dementia and doggy depression are very real conditions. Anxiety is also much more prevalent in older canines. While it may seem strange to think about, dogs that are entering a period of senility can become extremely depressed and suffer from anxiety. The symptoms of dementia, depression and anxiety in older dogs can be difficult to deal with and cause considerable distress for both the dog and its owner.

So, what is involutive depression in dogs? What are the signs of depression in an old dog? And what treatments can help to alleviate the symptoms of involutive depression in dogs? If you have a senior dog that you’re concerned about, keep reading. In this article, we’ll look at what you can do about old dogs with dementia, anxiety, and depression.

What is Involutive Depression in Dogs?

Both humans and animals can suffer from involutive depression. Also sometimes called involutional melancholia, the term was coined by German psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin in 1907.¹ The condition is a gradual depression and malaise that can result in unusual behaviour, fatigue, and detachment. Involutive depression affects people and animals who are elderly or in late middle age. Involutive depression in dogs can become apparent from the age of 10 onwards, depending on the breed.

In dogs, involutive depression is one of four conditions that are collectively called Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD), or canine dementia as it is commonly known.² As a dog’s brain ages, the animal can exhibit changes in awareness, learning, and behaviour. In most cases, the dog’s memory is significantly affected. CCD can lead to dogs suffering from extreme anxiety. It is precisely these feelings of anxiety that contribute to involutive depression.

What Are the Signs of Depression in an Old Dog?

Often, depression in older dogs can be difficult to diagnose and treat. In many cases, there is no actual physical cause for the depression the dog is experiencing aside from the natural process of ageing. Some vets may be unaware of the problem of involutive depression in dogs and will fail to make an accurate diagnosis. Likewise, many owners do not realise that their elderly dogs are in a state of dementia, depression, and anxiety.

A study by the UK Guide Dog Association found that 74% of Britain’s dogs showed signs of poor mental health but only 36% of dog owners recognised these symptoms. The study also showed that 24% of dog owners were totally unaware that a dog could suffer from depression and anxiety.³

Because owners and vets are not aware of exactly what the dog is going through, they may undertake actions that may exacerbate the condition, rather than help the dog. If you have an older dog, it’s important to look out for the signs of involutive depression. If a dog has involutive depression, then it may exhibit the following symptoms:⁴

Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Incontinence
Withdrawal
Lethargy
Sleep issues
Increased vocalisation

Unfortunately, all of these symptoms are also normal things that can happen as dogs age. Owners need to be vigilant and take the entirety of a dog’s symptoms into consideration. Does your elderly dog seem to be less social with you or other dogs? Is the dog becoming less housetrained? Sleeping more or sleeping less often than it used to? Is the dog losing interest in playing or going on walks? Are you noticing that your old dog barks more than it used often for no apparent reason? When taken all together, these are classic signs of involutive depression.

What Are the Symptoms of Anxiety in Old Dogs?

Anxiety is a serious issue for senior dogs. Feelings of anxiety are one of the main symptoms of CCD and they also play a major factor in the development of involutive depression.

Dogs are sensitive creatures. They are highly susceptible to changes in the moods of their owners, changes in their environment, and other outside stimuli. Dogs can become anxious when they have a disruption to their routine, when they experience a traumatic event, when they are separated from their owners, or when they are ill. Untreated anxieties are thought to be one of the primary causes of involutive depression in older dogs.

If your dog is exhibiting signs of anxiety without an obvious external cause, then it may be experiencing age-related anxiety. Left untreated, age-related anxiety in dogs can lead to involutive depression which will make the anxiety worse.

What do you need to look for? Signs of anxiety in senior dogs include:

Unusually aggressive behaviour
Avoiding eye contact with formerly trusted humans
Defecating or urinating inside the house
Excessive drooling
Excessive panting
Withdrawing from human touch
Pacing
Circling
Whining and whimpering
Repetitive behaviour
Licking the lips
Sniffing the air for no reason
Trembling and shaking
Excessive yawning
Restlessness
Destructive behaviour
Changes in eating and drinking patterns

Many of these symptoms can be difficult to notice or are not taken as part of an overriding condition by owners or vets. Often, an owner will punish the dog for ‘misbehaving’ by confining it to a certain area, scolding it, or changing its routine. Unfortunately, these actions will not change the dog’s behaviour and, in fact, will make its anxiety worse.

Symptoms of CCD in Older Dogs

The term CCD or dog dementia actually covers four separate cognitive conditions. Involutive depression is one of the conditions that fall under the umbrella term of CCD. The other three typical CCD conditions are:

Hyper-aggression – When a dog becomes unusually aggressive because of dysfunction in the way the neurotransmitter serotonin is distributed. Dogs with hyper-aggression cannot communicate properly or interpret signals from other dogs or humans. Their instinct is to bite first as a defensive measure rather than send out warning signals such as growling.
Dysthymia – Dysthymia is when a dog becomes unaware of its own body size and length. The condition causes dogs to become stuck in odd places like behind pieces of furniture or in corners. Often, all the animal has to do is back up to get out of the position, but the dysthymia stops the dog from realising this. Dysthymic states can cause dogs to become aggressive, especially if they are disturbed.
Confusional Syndrome – This condition is very much like Alzheimer’s Disease in humans. The dog will forget the people in its life and forget how to perform basic functions. Dogs with confusional syndrome also fail to recognise their surroundings and can become lost in their own homes. They are unable to learn and have trouble taking care of themselves.⁵

Owners of senior dogs of any breed should be watchful for signs of CCD. Your dog may be developing CCD if it displays symptoms such as:

Going in circles or pacing back and forth
Becoming lost in familiar spaces
Blankly staring at walls or into the distance
Getting stuck behind furniture or in corners
Seeming lost or confused
Waiting at the hinge side of the door
Not moving when a door opens
Not remembering their routines or forgetting what they are doing
Sleeping more during the day and being awake at night (sundowning)

Are Depression and Anxiety Dangerous for Older Dogs?

CCD, depression, and anxiety dramatically lower a dog’s quality of life. The severe amounts of stress that these conditions cause in dogs can have a negative impact on their overall health and shorten their lifespan. Studies have shown that continued high levels of anxiety in dogs can reduce the lifespan of dogs.⁶

If your dog is showing signs of involutive depression or anxiety, you should take steps to alleviate the symptoms.

How Do You Treat Involutive Depression and Anxiety in Older Dogs?

Dogs that suffer from anxiety are more likely to develop chronic involutive depression. Treating anxiety and CCD in dogs can involve pharmacological approaches such as antioxidant supplements and nutritional supplements that boost omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins. Sticking to a regular routine, being patient with your dog, showing them love and affection and getting regular vet checkups will also help to treat anxiety and CCD-related involutive depression.

Conclusion

Older dogs can develop anxiety which is both a cause and symptom of CCD-related involutive depression. Dog owners can reduce their dog’s anxiety by supplementing their diet with natural remedies such as Lactium®.

Lactium® is made from hydrolysed milk protein and is a clinically proven, non-addictive, all-natural stress reliever. Taking Lactium® can help to reduce your dog’s anxiety without any side effects