Golden Labrador dog

Behaviorists Say UK Dogs Are Getting Depressed Because Of Global Warming

Pet behaviorists in the United Kingdom reported that they’re witnessing an unusual trend. They’ve seen an unprecedented number of depressed, bored dogs in recent months, and a few are attributing it to a series of warmer, wetter winters in the UK. They suggest that these unusually wet winters are caused by global warming.

One pet expert said that the warm, wet temperatures lead to mud and puddles, rather than firmly frozen dirt. This leads to dog owners going on less frequent walks, making for bored, restless, and depressed dogs in the home. Even people who have worked with animals for decades have noticed warmer temperatures over the last five years, and December 2015 was the wettest month on record for the UK. If temperatures continue to rise in the coming decades, these animal experts expect to see even more cases of depressed dogs.

A Labrador Retriever lies on the floor next to a tennis ball.
(Picture Credit: Getty Images)

It is important to note that these pet behaviorists are not climatologists, and even a trend of five years is not enough to indicate a pattern of long-term change. Still, global temperatures have been rising steadily and affecting wildlife on a scale that hasn’t been seen since the last major extinction event in Earth’s history. So it may not be so far-fetched to believe that it would affect our pets, as well.

What do you think? Is global warming causing doggy depression, or are owners just becoming lazier? Let us know in the comments below.

And if you’re stuck inside during bad weather, you can still keep your dog active and happy. Check out our 5 Fun Indoor Activities For Dogs Who Can’t Stand The Cold And Snow.

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