Are you wondering if your dog’s behavior is normal? Starting to feel nervous about their unpredictability? When dogs behave out of the ordinary it could be a sign that something is going wrong in their mind or body. Psychosis is defined as a mental disturbance that leads to erratic behavior, personality changes, and a lost sense of reality. While it is a somewhat common mental illness symptom for humans to have, can dogs suffer from it too? Keep reading to understand the symptoms your dog may be experiencing and what they mean.
Signs a Dog is Psychotic
There are multiple signs that your dog is experiencing a mental breakdown and should be taken to the vet. It could be a range of medical or behavioral issues that a licensed veterinarian should be able to help with.
Sudden mood swings
A dog experiencing psychosis can be sweet and pleasant one moment, and then suddenly enraged and ready to attack anyone the next second.
Hallucinations
Psychosis causes a break from reality; the dog may not even be aware it’s acting strangely. In this break, it’s common for dogs to hallucinate people or things, and then react to them even though they aren’t real. You might notice your dog barking or growling at the wall or staring intently into space.
Strange responses to normal stimuli
If your dog, who normally loves food, is suddenly acting terrified of his kibble, something could be seriously wrong.
Lack of response to human commands
Most dogs will obey their owner’s commands, or at least acknowledge that they aren’t doing what they’re told. If your dog no longer responds to your prompts and simply ignores your presence completely, they could be suffering psychosis.
History of Dogs and Psychosis
Early in evolution when dogs were essentially wolves, it’s hard to say whether they experienced psychosis. There aren’t enough studies regarding the topic; researchers are still unsure how early humans domesticated wild wolves into the pups we have today. It’s likely that any weakness or obstacle to being able to fulfill survival duties in the wild would result in death. If a wolf was experiencing psychosis or any illness for that matter, they would either be left behind by the pack, killed, or cause their own death. Survival of the fittest meant mentally or physically sick wolves didn’t make it to the next level.
There is a history of dogs having other mental illnesses like anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Dogs who had worked in the military sometimes returned from war exhibiting post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) just like the soldiers. Dogs who survive a major natural disaster like a tsunami or earthquake can also show symptoms of PTSD. If a dog has gone through a traumatic circumstance, they are more likely to experience some form of anxiety, depression, or OCD.
Body Language
Here are some signs that your dog may be psychotic:
– Growling
– Back Hair On Edge
– Exposed Teeth
– Stiff Tail
Other Signs
Other signs of psychosis include:
– Showing Aggression
– Showing Teeth
– Barking At The Wall
– Unwarranted Aggression
The Science of Dogs Suffering from Psychosis
According to scientists, your dog’s psychotic behavior might not be a symptom of an emotional or mental disorder. It’s already been proven that dogs can’t be schizophrenic because they lack the “human accelerated regions” of their genomes that humans innately have. However, dogs can experience other brain-related disorders that can result in psychotic behavior. For example, psychosis in dogs is sometimes a side effect of epilepsy, a neurological disorder that causes the sufferer to experience seizures, confusion, and loss of consciousness.
Since dogs can’t simply tell you something is wrong, or something hurts, their behavior is full of clues to what may be really going on. One owner discussed how her dog was hallucinating; it seemed like he was trying to catch a fly in the air that didn’t exist. After taking him to an animal behaviorist, it was discovered that he had a form of epilepsy and the hallucinations were a post-seizure symptom. The best advice is to monitor your dog’s behavior so you know when it’s acting abnormally, and then to seek medical and/or behavioral guidance.
Treating Your Dog’s Psychosis
Once you’ve noticed strange and unwanted behavior in your dog, it’s time to get the vet or an animal behaviorist involved. First, they’ll want to know what the behaviors your dog is exhibiting are and what could potentially be triggering them. They’ll need to know as much about the dog’s history, medical and trauma-related, as possible. To rule out mental illnesses like PTSD, depression, and anxiety, it must be clear that there are no obvious triggers for their behavior and no past trauma they could be reliving.
Second, a urine test and blood test will show the dog’s hormone levels and check for parasites. Your dog could be physically sick and not know how to tell you other than by acting out. Or, they could have a hormonal imbalance which affects a myriad of things, not in the least their mood. Depending on the diagnosis, your vet may prescribe medication to treat the causes of the psychosis or the symptoms. Or, your pooch could require training from a dog behaviorist. Ultimately, psychotic behavior is a symptom of something more serious going on in your dog’s body and mind.
“The importance of seeking medical and behavioral guidance for your dog’s abnormal behavior”
Tips & Things to Know
1️⃣ If your dog is exhibiting unusual behaviors like sudden mood swings, hallucinations, strange responses to normal stimuli, or lack of response to human commands, it might be a sign of psychosis or another mental illness. It’s crucial to monitor your dog’s behavior and seek medical or behavioral guidance when something seems abnormal.
2️⃣ Dogs can suffer from various mental illnesses like anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These can be triggered by traumatic experiences like military service or surviving a major natural disaster. It’s essential to provide as much information as possible about your dog’s history to the vet or animal behaviorist, including any past traumas.
3️⃣ Treating your dog’s psychosis involves a combination of medical tests and potential treatments. A vet may conduct urine and blood tests to check for hormone levels and parasites. Depending on the results, they might prescribe medication or suggest training from a dog behaviorist. It’s crucial to remember that psychotic behavior is a symptom of a more serious underlying issue in your dog’s body or mind.
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered ✅
1. What are some signs that my dog may be experiencing psychosis?
– Sudden mood swings, hallucinations, strange responses to normal stimuli, lack of response to human commands.
2. Can dogs suffer from psychosis?
– Yes, dogs can experience psychotic behavior, although more research is needed to fully understand the topic.
3. What other mental illnesses can dogs have?
– Dogs can have anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
4. What could be causing my dog’s psychotic behavior?
– It could be a result of epilepsy, a neurological disorder that can cause seizures and confusion.
5. How can I treat my dog’s psychosis?
– It is important to involve a vet or animal behaviorist who can assess the behavior, rule out other mental illnesses or triggers, and potentially prescribe medication or provide training.
