03-07-2014, 09:34 AM
Yes, I suppose this could happen. When the weather is very bleak outside, then it's bound to affect them. And like the article said, part of this might be to do with changes in routine -for instance not going for their walks as usual.
In the extreme weather that a large part of the United States has had lately, then a dog walk might be tough-going. But most dogs don't mind a bit of cold weather under less extreme conditions, and often love playing in snow. Many of them don't care about it being a rainy day either. They just like to be out and about.
I used to take my dog out in most weather and keep up her normal routines, and she liked that. She wore a coat if it was very cold, or to keep her a bit drier if it was pelting down with rain. But she did want to be doing something.
If the weather got really REALLY bad, and it was just madness to be out -we played games inside, up and down the stairs, hunt the ball and squeaky toy, hide and seek....you name it. We would maybe do these games for an hour! She loved this, was grinning and happy. She didn't seem to get SAD.
Oh I really miss those days.....and the fun we had.
However, it is natural for many animals to need to sleep more in winter, and not always a sign of depression. (even for us.) Depending on how much exercise they get in cold weather they might need to eat more too, than in warmer weather.
In the extreme weather that a large part of the United States has had lately, then a dog walk might be tough-going. But most dogs don't mind a bit of cold weather under less extreme conditions, and often love playing in snow. Many of them don't care about it being a rainy day either. They just like to be out and about.
I used to take my dog out in most weather and keep up her normal routines, and she liked that. She wore a coat if it was very cold, or to keep her a bit drier if it was pelting down with rain. But she did want to be doing something.
If the weather got really REALLY bad, and it was just madness to be out -we played games inside, up and down the stairs, hunt the ball and squeaky toy, hide and seek....you name it. We would maybe do these games for an hour! She loved this, was grinning and happy. She didn't seem to get SAD.
Oh I really miss those days.....and the fun we had.
However, it is natural for many animals to need to sleep more in winter, and not always a sign of depression. (even for us.) Depending on how much exercise they get in cold weather they might need to eat more too, than in warmer weather.
