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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

My dog has mental health problems

49 replies

RebeccaMillet · 15/07/2023 11:52

My friend has scoffed at me for telling her my dog has mental health issues. She said it was disrespectful to humans who have mental health issues.

she came to visit last night and I feel a bit annoyed by her response.

for context
I have a rescue Vizzler who was neglected as a pup before arriving at the rescue centre. I have had him for almost a year and he’s about two years old. He wolfs his food down and needs a lot of reassurance as he almost certainly has feelings of abandonment. He is the most affectionate and loving animal and I happily spend loads of time with him cuddling and playing. My husband WFH so he is never alone.

He cries if either of us leave the room and follows us everywhere.

my friend recognises that animals (dogs) have feelings but thinks that my use of words ‘mental healing problems’ is way over the top as dogs can’t possibly have depth of feelings like humans. Obviously I know they can’t but don’t feel IABU for what I said?

OP posts:
Express0 · 15/07/2023 11:53

Your dog has a brain. It can have mental health issues.

morelippy · 15/07/2023 11:55

Your friend hasn't had a dog has she?

Elephantinasandstorm · 15/07/2023 12:02

I always loved my animals, they weremainly rescues with issues, but I am bit uncomfortable with how people are giving them human emotions if I am honest.
I would also probably raise an eyebrow at "MH issues" used... I think there should be a different term for animals. They feel things differently to us and we feel differently to them. They have different needs than humans when it comes to help

Evaka · 15/07/2023 12:03

Human brains are more complex, sure. But all animals experience can and often do experience fear and trauma. And thry don't have the gift of conceptual thought to make sense of their fear.. My poor rescue cat is so anxious that he overgrooms his skin raw when we have visitors or there's any change to his routine. It's just a fact that he has poor mental health. I give him a stable home, calming supplements etc in response. You're not taking care or attention from a human with poor mental health by being kind to your scared, nervous dog. Your pal is being a dick!

MissPop · 15/07/2023 12:05

My dog was never the full ticket. She was chucked in at the bin at birth. Believe me….. it showed.

Lovely soul though she was. I miss her.

ErniesGhostlyGoldTops · 15/07/2023 12:05

Of course they get mental health issues. Behavioural problems in dogs are well documented and these are MH problems.

How thick is your mate?

NoTouch · 15/07/2023 12:06

Mental Health issues has got to be the most overused phrase over the last decade with people casually assigning themselves illnesses and diminishing the struggles of those who have to live with them everyday.

Now it has moved to dogs 🤦🏻‍♀️

Emmamoo89 · 15/07/2023 12:06

Ignore your friend x

cocksstrideintheevening · 15/07/2023 12:07

My dog has mental health issues, he has dementia. What else would I call it?

MissPop · 15/07/2023 12:07

@NoTouch

Do agree actually. I think it’s fine to label a dog anxious because they do indeed get anxious for various reasons which is often fear based. But it’s a slippery slope, what next? Autism in dogs?

DarkForces · 15/07/2023 12:08

I think that humans make huge assumptions about other species. That they're somehow lesser than us. Of course dogs are hugely impacted by abuse and neglect. It's definitely comparable to human distress and they can't have counselling to help them. The fact they have the capacity to love and trust again is a testament to their strength.

MissPop · 15/07/2023 12:09

Oh!!

My dog has mental health problems
cinnamonfrenchtoast · 15/07/2023 12:09

Dogs certainly can have mental health issues - trauma can impact them just as badly as it does people.

Have you considered trialling medication for his anxiety? It can make a huge difference.

Leo227 · 15/07/2023 12:10

they have a mind, experience anxiety and depression etc of course its mental health. same as physical health.

Wildspace · 15/07/2023 12:12

I raised an eyebrow at this when I first read it but just having been through the comments then consider a non-dog owner educated.

Saverage · 15/07/2023 12:13

I have had mental health issues. I don't this it's disrespectful to say that animals can have them too. My cat, who is a twice rescue, is definitely traumatised and I behave towards her accordingly.

Scienceadvisory · 15/07/2023 12:14

cocksstrideintheevening · 15/07/2023 12:07

My dog has mental health issues, he has dementia. What else would I call it?

Well given dementia is not a mental health issue perhaps not that. Dementia is a disorder/condition of the brain.

LemonsOnTheMelons · 15/07/2023 12:14

🤦‍♀️

Your friend is right.

MissPop · 15/07/2023 12:14

This thread is giving me Sandra vibes when she tried to apologise for causing her neighbours cat anxiety and depression 🤣🤣🤣.

My dog has mental health problems
nobodysdaughternow · 15/07/2023 12:15

It's just too much to use in relation to dogs.

I have a rescue pug who can't eat with my other two dogs because he is too anxious. He cries for me when I'm not there and jumps 10ft high if anyone moves suddenly.

He has learnt those things can indicate a threat to his safely. However, he is not considering his value to the world or feeling a failure.

Cos he is just a dog.

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 15/07/2023 12:30

cocksstrideintheevening · 15/07/2023 12:07

My dog has mental health issues, he has dementia. What else would I call it?

Dementia isn't a mental health condition.

Sometimeswinning · 15/07/2023 12:35

NoTouch · 15/07/2023 12:06

Mental Health issues has got to be the most overused phrase over the last decade with people casually assigning themselves illnesses and diminishing the struggles of those who have to live with them everyday.

Now it has moved to dogs 🤦🏻‍♀️

I was hoping someone would find this completely bizarre!!

LemonsOnTheMelons · 15/07/2023 12:38

Sometimeswinning · 15/07/2023 12:35

I was hoping someone would find this completely bizarre!!

Show quote history

It’s dog owners. They’re bloody crazy. They’ve lost the plot. No wonder there are so many dog attacks these days with people treating them like this and not as the animals they are.

Nuca · 15/07/2023 12:38

Dogs can definitely be anxious and suffer from trauma. Mine is anxious but I don’t think I’d describe him as having mental health issues

(Also in the nicest way possible your dog is a Vizsla)

bluetongue · 15/07/2023 12:41

MissPop · 15/07/2023 12:07

@NoTouch

Do agree actually. I think it’s fine to label a dog anxious because they do indeed get anxious for various reasons which is often fear based. But it’s a slippery slope, what next? Autism in dogs?

I actually joke that my whippet has sensory issues and is on the sprectrum 😁 (I’m neurodiverse myself before anyone is offended).

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