Is your busy lifestyle giving your dog depression?

Frazzled dogs struggle to keep up with owners' hectic lives, turning to therapy and dog anti-depressants for help

((Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images))

Many dogs are living in psychological turmoil and need anti-depressants due to their owners’ busy lifestyles, a new report by vets has revealed.

The study, by vets in Switzerland, says that a growing number of animals suffer from depression, anxiety and chronic fatigue.

Behavioural psychologist and vet Linda Hornisberger explained: “Today, dogs are increasingly living with chronic fatigue. They are completely overwhelmed and need to take anti-depressants.”

The report highlighted the case of one tragic dog’s plight after his owner moved from Britain to Switzerland.

The dog struggled to adapt to its new surroundings and Swiss lifestyle. It began to behave anxiously and to attack its own shadow. The dog was treated at Zurich Animal Hospital and restored to its former happy self through a course of medication and canine therapy.

Maya Bram is a vet at the centre where the dog was treated and explained: “Many pets and their owners don’t know any peace [as] they are so busy.

“Dogs need a lot of rest. But with today’s busy lifestyles, they often miss out.”

A canine version of Prozac suitable for dogs, called Reconcile, was approved for sale in the UK in 2010. The drug has been altered to taste like beef in order to appeal to dogs and is most often mixed into the pet’s food.