Guide Dogs is encouraging dog owners across the UK to incorporate a variety of canine enrichment into their daily life to help maintain good mental health and wellbeing for their pets.
Study finds nearly three quarters of UK dogs show signs of poor mental health (Image: Getty) Around 8.8 million dogs exhibit behaviour indicating anxiety or depression (Image: Getty)The most common signs include a loss of appetite, destructiveness and low activity levels.
This is about dogs showing signs of poor mental health, including anxiety.“It’s an outdated viewpoint to think that dogs just need a walk or two a day to be content,” said Guide Dogs’ chief scientific officer Dr Helen Vaterlaws-Whiteside.Vaterlaws-Whiteside recommends a lot of mental stimulation, problem-solving puzzles .