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Retarded Dogs Symptoms, Treatment, And Care

As a dog owner, one of the challenges that you may experience is determining whether your dog is healthy or not. we strive to keep our animals healthy, happy, and physically fit.

This not only involves physical health but mental health as well. It is challenging to know your dog’s health condition especially at a tender age, but with time, you will realize that it needs special needs.

A mental health check is important not only to human beings but to dogs as well. Having mental issues does not mean that you cannot train your dog, just like any other normal dog. All you have to do is to train the retarded dogs to communicate effectively. So, here’s what you should be aware of.

Is My Dog Retarded?

This is probably one question that you have asked yourself, probably from how your dog is behaving. After you have determined if the dog is retarded, then you can give it the medical attention that it needs.

In addition to that, training your dog after you have known that it is retarded is very important. This is because it helps in building on communication levels between you and your pet.

If you want to discern whether your dog is retarded, you will look at its behavior and physical appearance.

Some of the things that you will notice in your dog that will help you come to a conclusion that your dog is retarded include the following;

Inability to learn

Dogs are very fast learners and good communicators. However, if you realize that your dog is having some challenges learning, then you should visit the veterinarian. It is most likely that your dog is mentally challenged.

Inadequate play

Mentally retarded dogs do not play adequately as a normal dog would.

Poor communication and Interaction

Since they are not able to think clearly, dogs with mental health issues do not know how to interact with other dogs and communicate with their owners.

Poor walking or running posture

Mentally retarded dogs lack a good balance when walking or running.

Inability to remember where things are

For instance, you always leave the dog’s food in the kitchen corner, you come back and you find that the dog did not even touch its food. This should be an alarming issue that should be looked into.

Why Is My Dog Retarded?

What Should You Do If Your Dog Is Suffering From Mental Illness

There are various causes of mental health in dogs, some of which dog owners are familiar with and others that they are not familiar with. Some of the reasons as to why your dog may be mentally retarded include the following;

Due to birth complications

Some dogs are mentally challenged as a result of the complications that they went through during birth. Just like childbirth has its complications, dogs also experience the same complications, which may result in lifelong conditions.

Brain disorders

This is also another complication that makes a dog’s mental health deteriorate. Dog’s can at times experience depression and obsessive-compulsive among other mental disorders.

Brain damage

When a dog’s brain is damaged, it means that it loses its ability to think for itself. As a result, it suffers from poor mental health for a prolonged period.

What Should You Do If Your Dog Is Suffering From Mental Illness?

The reality of your dog being mentally challenged is one truth that most dog owners do not want to come to terms with.

However, the first step to take is to visit the vet for further diagnosis. In addition to that, you need to acknowledge the fact that caring for your mentally ill dog will require some level of patience and understanding from you.

Ensure that you are always there for your dog, care for them and make them feel loved every day.

This will help ease the pain they are going through and will make them appreciate you even more.

Anxiety or other neurological problems in dogs can be treated appropriately. These therapies don’t always guarantee that your dog will heal completely, but they can help your dog live a better life.

The same may be true for canines suffering from neurological disorders or injuries. For your dog to improve, the underlying problem must be addressed.

FAQ:

Can dogs be retarded and what are the symptoms?

Dogs can also be retarded. This happens due to the above-mentioned conditions.

Some of the signs and symptoms that a dog is retarded are inability to communicate effectively with the owner and other dogs, lack of concentration, inability to walk or run properly, and funny-looking physical appearance among others.

If you feel off about how your dog is behaving then you need to run to the pet clinic and seek help. The problem should be managed at the time that you have detected it to avoid even further complications.

Final Thoughts:

In summary, dogs can be mentally retarded, Because they possess the same mind as humans, they are prone to mental retardation. 

Mentally challenged dogs need much care and attention every day. They need to be guided by their owners and be made comfortable in their homes. Doing this helps in easing them and making them familiarize themselves with their owners.