Have you noticed a difference in your Shih Tzu’s behavior lately? Do they have less energy or aren’t as playful as they normally are? If so, you might be thinking, “My Shih Tzu seems sad,” and they may be. Dogs can become depressed just like people do, so let’s find out what might be causing it and what you can do about it.
My Shih Tzu Seems Sad
There’s a number of reasons why your Shih Tzu might be acting sad.
These little dogs can actually become depressed and it shouldn’t be ignored.
Not to mention, dogs by their very nature tend to be emotional animals.
Your little guy might be going through a difficult time and need a little help from you or the veterinarian.
Here are the main reasons why your little pooch might be feeling a little down.
Shih Tzu Depression
1. Your Shih Tzu is Sick or Injured
The first thing you’re going to want to do is to take your dog to the vet.
If you notice unusual behavior there could be a medical reason for it.
You’ll want to rule out any illnesses that might be causing your Shih Tzu to act in a manner that’s less than their normal happy selves.
So don’t wait.
Take your pup to the vet as soon as possible to get them checked out.
You also want to have the vet check for any injuries.
Your pouch could have a small injury that you’re unaware of but that is causing them enough distress that they are acting depressed.
If your vet can’t find anything physically wrong with your dog then it could be one of the other reasons below.
2. Your Shih Tzu is Bored
Imagine how you’d feel if you’re sitting around the house all day by yourself every day.
Most likely you’d get a little bored.
I know I would.
If your dog is not getting enough physical activity and doesn’t have enough stimulus at home it may just be bored.
Boredom and can easily lead to depression
If they are bored then their depression can even result in destructive behavior or other bad behavior.
3. Your Shih Tzu is Missing Someone
If your dog has suddenly started acting depressed, ask yourself could they be missing someone?
Has someone that they’re used to having around all the sudden left?
Your little guy can miss people that have left their environment.
I know that after my father passed away my dog Truman missed him terribly.
I remember one time about two years after my father had passed I said something like where’s dad to my Truman.
His ears perked up. He got super excited, and he ran into the living room because he thought he might be in there.
Even after all that time my father was gone, Truman still remembered him and still missed him.
4. Your Shih Tzu is Being Mistreated
You have to hope that this is not the case but is it possible that someone is mistreating your dog?
Maybe when you’re not around someone in your household or that comes into your home is being rough with your dog or something worse.
If this is a possibility it is something you’re going to need to deal with directly and quickly.
Shih Tzus are friendly, but they’re little dogs and can be hurt easily.
5. You’re Not Giving Your Shih Tzu Enough Attention or Exercise
Nowadays everybody is busy.
No one has a lot of extra time.
So it can be easy to not give your pooch as much attention and love as you’d like or that they need.
The same can be said for exercise.
While Shih Tzus don’t need a lot of exercise they do need some.
And a short walk outside can do a lot for their well-being.
And when that’s not possible just cuddling together on the sofa watching TV is one of their favorite things in life.
Honestly what they want most is just to spend time with you and have some of your attention.
If you haven’t had as much time lately as you normally do to spend with them this could be the reason why they’re feeling depressed.
Signs of Depression in Your Shih Tzu
If you’re not sure whether or not your dog is depressed there are some signs you can watch for.
Here are some of the most common signs of depression and Shih Tzus.
1. Sleeping More Than Normal
All dogs sleep quite a bit during the day.
Puppies and seniors sleep longer than adult dogs but they’re going to at least want to get in good 12 hours a day.
If you are noticing that your adult dog is sleeping more than normal this can be a sign of depression.
Whether they are not feeling well or because they’re bored, you do want to have your dog checked by a vet to make sure there’s nothing physically wrong with them.
2. Licking Their Paws
Excessive licking especially on the paws can indicate that your dog is stressed out.
Maybe they’re bored, maybe there’s something physically wrong with them but this is not a normal activity.
Yes, all dogs lick themselves and other things from time to time but if it is obsessive then there’s another issue.
This can be a sign that they’re depressed or stressed out about some other event or situation in the household.
3. Not Eating Food or Treats
If your Shih Tzus are anything like mine then you know they live for food and especially treats.
If you find all of a sudden they no longer have any interest it could be from depression.
This could also mean they have an upset stomach and should be checked out by your vet.
If there’s nothing wrong with them physically then most likely they’ve lost interest for another reason.
If you haven’t changed your treats for a while, it might be time to try a different one to see if they like something better that sparks their interest.
4. Hiding
If your Shih Tzu starts hiding in other rooms or under the bed or in the closet this isn’t a good sign.
They could be depressed or they could be unwell or they could be scared.
You want to take stock of what’s going on in your household and if there’s a reason for them to be scared or stressed out.
If there haven’t been any changes in the household, then again a trip to the vet is always wise.
After that, one of the ways to cheer up your pup listed below might be able to help.
5. Not Playing With Their Toys
Finally, one of the last ways you may be able to tell that your dog is depressed is that they’re not playing with their toys.
Besides mealtime, playtime is my Shih Tzus’ favorite time of the day.
They love chasing their toys and then throwing them up in the air and chewing on them.
If they don’t want to play then there’s a good reason for it and depression can be one of them.
How to Help Cheer Up Your Shih Tzu
If you’ve been to the vet and there’s nothing physically wrong with your pup and you have decided that they are depressed there are some ways you can help them cheer up.
1. Spend More Time With Them
One of the ways to cheer up your little one is to just spend more time with them.
Whether it’s cuddling on the sofa or letting them sleep with you at night or playing with them and their toys or taking them for a walk it really doesn’t matter.
Just being close to you and having your attention is all they really want and need.
Keep in mind Shih Tzus love to cuddle so give yours plenty of time to sit next to you on the sofa or on your lap or lay next to you on the bed if possible.
2. Take Them to a Dog Park
Just like most people enjoy spending time with other people, most dogs enjoy spending some time with other dogs.
Of course, there are exceptions to that.
Take for example my dog Truman.
I took him to a dog park once and he just stood there shook and drooled.
It wasn’t a good experience for him
But for most Shih Tzus that isn’t the case, so consider taking yours to a dog park on a nice sunny day and the both of you might enjoy a little time outdoors.
3. Take Them to a Doggie Daycare or Use a Dog Walker
If your pouch is home all day alone, consider taking them to a doggie daycare or use a dog walker.
At the daycare, they will receive a lot of stimulation throughout the day with the other dogs as well as the staff.
A dog walker can come to your home in the middle of the day and take your dog for a walk.
This will give them something to look forward to and the midday activity should wear them out enough that they aren’t sitting around being bored.
4. Go For a Morning Walk
If you have the time in the morning or can make the time, take your little one on a walk before you leave for the day.
A nice morning walk will get their and your blood flowing and put them…and you in a good frame of mind for the rest of the day.
You may also enjoy:
Does a Shih Tzu Become Less Social as it Ages?
5. Buy Them a New Toy
Finally, if you haven’t bought them a new toy for a while, now might be the time.
A new toy always has new smells and makes for an exciting event.
I know it certainly does in my home.
Truman gets very excited over a new toy and will guard it with his life for a least a few days.
You may also enjoy:
How do You Know if Your Shih Tzu Loves You?
To Sum it All Up:
Your Shih Tzu can get depressed. First, you need to make sure there isn’t a physical reason for it before you do anything else. Then give some thought to why they may be feeling this way, and then take advantage of one of these ways to cheer them up. Chances are your little one will be feeling better before you know it.
Please Note:
This article is informational only and does not substitute for veterinary advice. Always check with your veterinarian if you are concerned about your Shih Tzu’s behavior and any other issues. This article should not be considered in any way as veterinarian advice.
