If your dog is going through a ruff time, quit houndin’ them.
Experts at the supplement company PupLabs recently took to TikTok to reveal what could be making your precious pooch sad — and some reasons are quite unexpected.
According to The American Kennel Club, dogs can experience mental health issues similar to depression.
The organization noted that dog depression can present like an illness or chronic pain, so it’s important to watch for any potential health problems.
Here are three pawsible explanations for doggie despair.
1. Insufficient exercise
According to PupLabs, your dog could have serious problems if it doesn’t get enough exercise.
“Dogs need the opportunity to be able to move their body freely off of a leash from time to time,” the TikTok creator explained. “To be able to run, chase, and hunt sometimes, too.”
Per PetMD, dogs can become “withdrawn” when they aren’t getting enough exercise and are lacking “physical stimulation,” so it’s important they get proper exposure to activity each day.
2. You’re not respecting your dog’s boundaries
Dogs have feelings, too!
PupLabs shared that you need to be respectful of your dog’s boundaries by not smothering them — even though it may be difficult at times.
“This means sometimes we all want a little bit of space, and if you’re giving your dog attention and they walk away from you, if you follow them, that can really, really break the trust that your dog has in you,” the creator explained.
According to PureWow, steps you can take to help maintain a healthy relationship with your dog include not talking to them “constantly” and not using the same command for many behaviors.
3. Scolding your dog for things they don’t understand
PupLabs said dogs can become sad if you scold them for things they don’t even understand they did wrong.
“If they did something while you were at work, and you came home and then saw that your pillow was destroyed and scolded them afterward, they’re not going to connect the dots,” the creator explained.
“Because the thing that we love most about our dogs is that they lay in the moment, which means that they are not aware of what they did five hours ago,” the video continued. “And although they may look sad and upset, it’s just because they’re upset in that moment, not because they’re connecting that with destroying your beloved pillow.”
The Post reached out to PupLabs for comment.
The advice comes on the heels of research that found cat lovers are smarter than dog devotees.
The study out of the University of Texas also noted that cat fans are especially prone to neuroticism.