When it comes down to dog owners, they act the same as actual parents for a new kid! So many questions that keep them up at night. One of which do dogs get lonely? Also, some other questions such as Am I enough for my dog? Do I need to get another companion for my dog?
Nevertheless, If you think about it, it is understandable how they feel and think. Their dogs are their kids. Like any parent, they worry about their dogs’ health, daily needs, and even physical and psychological needs.
Sadly, we have so many things to do during a day. You are going to work, socializing, exercising, and many other things. Some dog owners even leave for an extended business trip for days! Moreover, some decided to go on vacation. All that will force you to leave your dog for hours alone at home. For your dog, it is not enough to leave him in a safe place or at your friend’s house. Why?
Because for your dog, you are the best human in your dog’s life. Therefore, your dog wants you to stay around it all the time.
Regardless of what you do or your dog does, it’s always a pure love that you will get from your dog. That’s the main reason your dog wants you to stay with him every moment in their life.
Do dogs get lonely? Can dogs feel sad about it?
Here’s the short answer to your question: Yes. Dogs can get lonely, and they feel sad about it.
Table of Contents
Why Do Dogs Get Lonely?
Dogs, just like us, they have feelings. If you feel lonely, your dog can feel that too. In fact, recent studies showed that dogs act and have the same emotional level as a small kid. So, could you take a minute and think about it? Yes, dogs can feel different emotions, such as loneliness, sadness, anger, fear, etc.
“The worst mental punishment a dog can be given is to be kept alone in a tightly confined space where nothing varies,” writes biologist Desmond Morris in Dogwatching (Crown Publishers, 1986).
When last time you felt lonely? We all feel that from time to time. Loneliness is a form of sadness too. They come together. You feel alone and sad at the same time! This feeling can lead to other problems such as anxiety and depression, which can be a massive complication for both humans and dogs alike.
Both humans and dogs are social species. Dogs the same as any pack animal by nature, they thrive off of social connections and socializing. Historically, we’ve also raised them to be familiar with working with us too. We mainly bred dogs to do different jobs, such as helping us to hunt and protecting us from other wild animals. Nowadays, well, all modern dogs are unemployed.
“Dogs were created to do jobs,” says Jacque Lynn Schultz, a certified pet dog trainer, and director of special projects for ASPCA Animal Sciences. “It’s as if we’ve taken their jobs away from them and created unemployed workers. There’s a lot less for them to do, and they need outlets for their energy and drive.”
So, in addition to feeling lonely, if you are not around, your dog could also feel that useless feeling human encounters when they doubt their purpose.
Signs Your Dog Is Lonely
Loneliness is not a hidden disease or something you need to do intensive research about. If your dog is getting lonely, he will let you know about it by showing different signs.
Humans show different signs when we are bored, lonely, sad, angry, etc. Dogs are the same as us. When you are feeling lonely, you might eat more, eat less, can’t sleep or sleep more, etc. As for dogs, they might show different unusual signs such as starting with destructive behaviors, chewing up your pillow or sofa, less appetite, no interest to do their normal activities, etc. If you don’t pay attention to these signs and fix this small problem, the lonely dog will dwell into a worse problem “depression.”
The lonely dog can show signs that related to body language. It would be best if you had to pay attention to these signs such as Barking, Low tail carriage, Dropped Ears, Scratching, Averting eyes, and/or Lack of focus.
In short, the lonely dog is the dog that gets in trouble every time you are away. So, don’t be surprised if you found your house destroyed by your bored dog. Mostly, they are trying to tell you that they are lonely and bored. Alternatively, if you back and your neighbors complain about your dog’s excessive barking or whining, this is another vital sign that your dog is bored and feeling lonely.
Is Your Dog Lonely Without Another Dog?
Accurately, your dog feeling lonely only when your dog alone at home. It is not necessarily about having one more puppy around. Although having a friend-companion to your dog may help.
That been said, another dog in your house isn’t the only thing that will fulfill your dog’s needs. Remember, you are the best friend for your dog. You’re not failing as a dog parent if you don’t have the money, time, or space for another pet or dog.
Helping Your Dog Be Less Lonely
Fortunately, there are many things to help your dog to be less lonely, stay healthy, and happy. Even technology can help you to ease your dog boredom and loneliness feelings.
- Allow your dog to look out the window. Your dog will love it because pets are highly visual. They love to discover new things and looking at other animals around the area.
- You can always use music in your favor. Put on your favorite playlist, and your dog will love them eventually. Put them on before you leave your house.
- One of the best ways to help your dog is to get a new friend. Having a new companion will improve your dog’s health and bad feelings. Of course, you need to make sure first that they get along together.
- Keep your dog busy and occupied. Some many tools and games will keep your dog occupied and feel less lonely.
- Keep your dog’s social life intact. Take your dog out more often; take it on a daily walk. Let your dog meet other people and maybe other animals.
- Exercise with your dog when it’s possible. It does not only help your dog to get rid of loneliness feeling, but it will also improve the bond between you and your dog.
- If you live near your workplace, visit your dog during your lunchtime.
- Natural remedies can sometimes help to ease their depression or stress.
- Lastly, you can always talk to your vet about all this and if there is anything else that can help you improve your dog’s psychological health.
Conclusion
Your dog is your partner, family, and friend. Keeping your dog healthy ultimately will keep you healthy. Making your dog happy will keep you happy as well. We all feel lonely, even animals.
Cats and Dogs can feel boredom and loneliness just like us. The lonely dog may act weird or do bad things, but be calm and solve the problem that you may cause unintentionally by not being there for your dog.
Do dogs get lonely? Yes, they do. This is the short, simple answer to this question.
So finally, I hope you found this article useful and informative. Let me know your answer. What do you think? Do doges get lonely? Do you have more tips to help dogs be less lonely?
If you have any other questions or different opinions about it, leave a comment below.
Today’s Quote: “Dogs are great. Bad dogs, if you can really call them that, are perhaps the greatest of them all.” — John Grogan
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Our dog Enzo gets quite lonely, especially if gets left home alone. Which happens as we all work or go to school. His crazy wagging tail lets us know how much he has missed. Each one of us gets the same greeting of welcome as we come through the door.
It’s hard leaving him at home, as he stares us with his big brown eyes. Such a cutie. Thanks for this post as it shows how much you love your furry friends.
Hello Jagi,
No one can resist those cute eyes from any pet. But it is our life and work made us take this decision to leave them behind. However, we can always try our best to give them our own “treats” by playing with them and talk to them whenever possible to make them feel that we care and we love them.
Thank you for this article! I hope more dog owners read it. I HATE it when people cage their dogs!!!!! You even find books and articles by so-called experts who help cage-train your dog. It makes me so mad!!!
Well, as far as music goes, I agree. If I’m going to be gone for more than an hour I make sure to turn on the radio for my cat. I also have windows set up so he can look out. Usually, he is happy to see me when I get home, but not as excited as a dog would be, and I’ve had both. I would never even consider getting a dog if I thought it would need to be caged.
Hello Cathy,
I agree with you caging animals are bad. However, leaving your pet home while you are working is something out of our control. That been said, we should try our best to give them everything possible to keep them happy and healthy. What you are doing for your dog is outstanding. Keep it up and your dog will be the happiest.
So interesting, dogs were created to do jobs and now they are mostly unemployed. I had never thought of that, but it is true.
As usual, when I read your article, I think of my dogs (and cats) and watch out for the signs you describe. So far I’ve passed the tests 😉 we’re fine 🙂 Although my dogs give me the saddest, most heartbreaking faces ever when I leave for work, and sometimes they howl when I leave … But they are quiet for the rest of the day, as one neighbor assured me, so that’s a relief.
The good thing is that they have each other, some playmates, but yes, they hate it when I leave for work or to go shopping, or even worse, when I leave at unusual times, like an evening to go to the movies. Anything that is not routine will cause them to put on those sad sad faces that make me feel guilty. Sometimes I also take them with me in the car, for example when I go to the beach, and so I think that they always think I’m off having fun at the beach whenever I get into my car, lol. They don’t understand about work, but they do know that I have to leave to maybe “do my daily rounds” 😉
I love that quote “bad dogs can be the greatest dogs” That’s true, Tommeeh, my 2-year-old Pit Bull is little Mr. Mischief, but man, he is so intelligent! And he really is a wonderful dog, he is friends with everyone, and everyone who meets him always falls in love with him. He is also the one who has a real talent of changing his facial expression to a brokenhearted one every time I leave to go to work.
Hello Christine,
It is really to see you around here again. I am so happy when you read my articles and give me those awesome stories about your dogs and cats. I love them all! Yes, dogs just like kids, give us this sad cute face like they are blaming us for leaving them. They don’t understand that we have to work to feed them and ourselves. But, as pet owners, we need to make sure our dogs and pets, in general, having a great life by doing our best to give them what they need to stay happy. You are a great mom for these awesome and cute dogs and cats! Kiss them for me.
I am a dog person. I think they are amazing animals. I always feel bad leaving my dog alone at home when I go to work. Thanks for the tips. I’m going to be leaving some music on for him to jam out to while I’m away.
Hello James,
That would be a great idea. Leaving some songs and music for them is a great way to help them get rid of boredom. You can also, buy them some toys and some people nowadays use special screens and cameras to keep an eye on your dog and call this special screen to show your face for your dog. I will talk about it soon. Would be a great way to stay in contact with you dog while your working.
Hecky yeah dog get lonely…
My son’s grandma had an issue about her dog being lonely and needing ongoing attention. Granny works the majority of the day.
She thought he’d be fine and wouldn’t need her as much. She noticed him being destructive and lazy. She ended up buying him a mate.
They seem okay but I still think they need more human interactions.
I told her that they need your Love more often and they are like kids. Just because you have brothers and sisters doesn’t mean you don’t miss mother.
They seemed sad together to me but once they are out and about they run and jump with so much excitement but it seems like intense spikes of adrenaline.
I think those adrenaline rushes have long term effects. I wonder if I’m overthinking it.
Hello Tikisha,
I can’t agree more with you. Having a companion friend as you stated “brothers and sisters” doesn’t mean your dog will be fine away from you as a dog parent. For a dog, you are the best human and they need you in their life. Also, dogs are a social animals, they need more interaction with people and other animals more often.