Is Your Pet Feeling Down? Darren Shares the Signs
January 21, 2025
After the festive season has wound down across Surrey, many pets will experience quieter, less stimulating days, which can lead to boredom or even sadness. Molesey Vets’ Darren Partridge shares that just like people, pets can experience shifts in their mood, but their signals can be much harder to spot. Understanding whether your pet is bored, or feeling blue, can help you make them feel better going forward.
Booking a New Year check-up is a great idea to ensure there’s nothing else going on that requires veterinary attention.
Book a checkup for your pet now
Signs of pet boredom
Darren shares that pets – particularly dogs and cats – rely on routine and interaction. When the excitement of the holiday season fades, they might feel a bit overlooked. Signs of boredom can show up in different ways:
- Excessive barking or meowing to get your attention.
- Destructive behaviour such as chewing on furniture, shoes, and other household items, or clawing at the curtains and furniture. Small pets might excessively chew on the bars of their cage.
- Restlessness and pacing, unable to settle down.
According to Darren, boredom is a frequent issue for pets during the winter months in Surrey. With less exercise and fewer activities, they can become frustrated and under-stimulated.
It’s always wise to get your pet checked over to ensure there is nothing else going on that could be contributing to their behaviour. Book a check-up now.
Could your pet be feeling blue?
Pets can also experience emotional lows. Darren explains that, much like humans, they may feel down – particularly during the darker months. While pet ‘lows’ can resemble boredom, the signs are often more subtle, with a few distinct differences:
- Eating less (or more) than usual.
- A lack of interest in favourite activities i.e. refusing to go on a daily walk they once loved, or less or no engagement with toys or playtime.
- Being unusually lethargic.
Seasonal changes in Surrey, especially the lack of sunlight in winter, can contribute to a pet’s mood swings, with some pets even developing a form of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
If you have noticed changes in your pet’s behaviour, book an appointment with one of our vets in East Molesey so they can rule out any health issues that might explain things.
How to help your pet feel better
If your pet seems a bit low, there are many ways to lift their spirits and help them feel like themselves again, including:
- Boost mental engagement with puzzle toys, interactive games, or training sessions to keep your pet’s brain active. Cats can benefit from food puzzles or new climbing areas, while small pets will enjoy fresh chew toys, tunnels, and hideouts. Rabbits, in particular, will love a homemade digging box.
- Encourage regular physical activity like brisk walks for dogs or short indoor playtimes with toys to keep them moving. Cats might enjoy chasing a laser pointer, and small pets can have time in an indoor run or exercise ball (perfect for hamsters and other pet rodents).
- Maximise your pet’s comfort by providing a quiet spot for rest when needed. Small pets will appreciate extra bedding to snuggle, while a warm bed in a sunny spot can help cats and dogs feel more secure.
- Maintain routine and consistency, as pets thrive on stability. Keeping feeding, walking, and playtimes regular helps create a sense of security.
- Dedicate more personal time to your pet. Extra affection and attention can help reduce feelings of loneliness and deepen your connection, especially during the calmer months.
If your pet’s low mood continues for an extended period or seems to get worse, Darren says a visit to our vet practice in East Molesey is a good idea. Our vets can perform a full health check, offer advice, and in some cases, prescribe medications or make a referral for therapies which can help restore balance.
In conclusion, in addition to a pet’s basic needs (food, water and shelter), their wellbeing depends emotional care, too. If your pet is showing signs of boredom or sadness, it’s important to recognise the signs and make changes to help them improve. It’s also best to get their health checked by our experienced veterinary team at Molesey Vets to rule out any underlying conditions that might be contributing to a change in behaviour.
