Can dogs experience homesickness? Absolutely. If you’ve ever taken care of a friend’s dog or had a dog stay with you while their owner is away, you know that dogs can feel homesick.
Dogs are very emotional creatures and they form strong attachments to their home and their people.
When they are away from home and their family, they may display signs of anxiety and depression.
Signs of Homesickness in Dogs
Imagine you go on vacation and your dog stays at a doggy spa where she can play with other dogs and receive pampering from the staff. But wait, these people are strangers! Where is my mom? Where is my house? Where is my dog bed? Something is not right!
Your dog may feel stressed and anxious when staying in a new place for the first time. Signs that they are homesick include cowering, loss of appetite, not using the restroom, sighing, whining, and not wanting to play.
This may continue for a few days, but rest assured that your dog will eventually calm down and be fine.
Body Language
Here are some common body language signs that your dog is feeling homesick:
– Staring
– Whining
– Shaking
– Cowering
– Panting
– Chewing
– Dropping ears
– Pacing
Other Signs
These are additional signs to look out for when your dog is homesick:
– Loss of appetite
– Depressed behavior
– Refusal to play
– Avoiding using the restroom
The History of Dogs and Homesickness
Evidence suggests that dogs were the first animals to be domesticated over 15,000 years ago. They became part of the family unit, assisting humans in hunting for food. Canine fossils have been found alongside human fossils, proving their coexistence.
When dogs are separated from their home or people, they exhibit signs of depression. This is due to their pack mentality. The humans who care for and feed them are their pack. When the pack is not together or the dog is outside of familiar territory, anxiety and homesickness follow.
The Science Behind Homesick Dogs
Scientific research has shown that animals, including dogs, possess emotions similar to humans. Mammals share neuroanatomical structures and neurochemical pathways in the limbic system, which play a role in feeling emotions. Dogs naturally develop feelings of love for their family and their home.
When dogs are away from their pack or family, they display signs of depression, anxiety, and sadness. Therapy dogs are often used to help college students, hospitalized children, or individuals away from home to cope with homesickness. The deep bond between humans and dogs doesn’t require scientific evidence; it is evident in the endless love they show us.
Training Your Dog to Cope with Homesickness
Sometimes, leaving your dog with family, friends, or at a kennel is unavoidable when you travel. Here are some ways to help them cope:
– Avoid making a big fuss when dropping off your dog. Simply tell them to be good and that you’ll see them soon. Stay calm and minimize the drama. Prolonging the farewell will only increase your dog’s anxiety.
– Bring some of your dog’s familiar belongings with you, such as their bed, favorite toys, treats, and anything that comforts them. Some doggy hotels even have features that allow you to check in on your pet through the internet and communicate with them via a microphone.
– If your dog is staying with a friend or relative, it’s a good idea to call and check in to let them hear your voice. Another way to soothe your dog’s anxiety is to place a piece of your worn clothing in their bed, as the scent of mom or dad will instantly provide comfort.
“Home is not just a place, it’s a feeling – and dogs feel it too.”
Tips & Things to Know
1️⃣ Dogs can experience homesickness just like humans. They are very attached to their home and their people, and being in a new environment without their family can cause anxiety and depression.
2️⃣ Signs of homesickness in dogs include cowering, not eating, not going to the restroom, whining, sighing, and not wanting to play. These signs may continue for a few days, but the dog will eventually calm down in their own time.
3️⃣ When leaving your dog with someone else, it’s important to minimize the drama and make the farewell as calm as possible. Bringing their familiar items like their bed, toys, and treats can help them feel more at home. Checking in on them through a webcam or phone call can also provide comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered ✅
1. Can dogs experience homesickness?
– Yes, dogs can experience homesickness as they are emotionally attached to their home and their people.
2. What are the signs that a dog is homesick?
– Some signs that a dog is homesick include cowering, not eating, not going to the restroom, sighing, whining, and not wanting to play.
3. Why do dogs become homesick?
– Dogs become homesick because they have a pack mentality and when they are away from their familiar territory or their family, they experience anxiety and homesickness.
4. Do dogs have emotions like humans?
– According to scientific research, dogs possess many of the same traits as humans, including emotions. They have feelings of love for their family and their home.
5. How can I help my dog cope with homesickness?
– Some ways to help your dog cope with homesickness include not making a big production out of saying goodbye, bringing their personal belongings with them, checking in on them through technology if they are staying at a doggy hotel, and leaving a piece of your worn clothing with them to soothe their anxiety.
