Pet Bored or Feeling Blue? Our Vets Share How to Tell

As homes across East Renfrewshire settle into the hustle of the New Year, this often means quieter, less stimulating days for our pets, which can lead to boredom or even sadness. Rouken Glen Vets’ Richard Black shares that just like people, pets can experience shifts in their mood, but the signs may not always be obvious. Understanding whether your pet is bored, or feeling blue, can help you make them feel better in the months ahead.

Booking a check-up for the New Year is a great idea to ensure there’s nothing else going on that requires attention.

Book a New Year checkup for your pet

Understanding pet boredom

Vet Richard Black explains that pets, especially dogs and cats, thrive on routine and engagement. When life slows down for them after the busy holiday season, your pet may feel a little left out. Boredom in pets can manifest in various ways:

• Excessive barking or meowing to get your attention.
• Destructive behaviour such as chewing on furniture, shoes, and other household items, or clawing at the curtains and furniture. Small pets might excessively chew on the bars of their cage.
• Restlessness and pacing, unable to settle down.

Richard says that boredom is one of the most common issues faced by pets during winter months in East Renfrewshire as a lack of exercise and enrichment can leave them feeling frustrated and under-stimulated.

It’s always wise to get your pet checked over to ensure there is nothing else going on that could be contributing to their behaviour. Book a check-up now.

What about the “Blues”?

On the other hand, pets can also experience emotional lows. Richard explains that just like humans, they can feel down, especially during darker months. Symptoms of depression in pets can be more subtle, and often look similar to boredom, but there are a few key differences:

• Eating less (or more) than usual.
• A lack of interest in favourite activities i.e. refusing to go on a daily walk they once loved, or less or no engagement with toys or playtime.
• Being unusually lethargic.

Seasonal changes in East Renfrewshire, especially the lack of sunlight in winter, can contribute to a pet’s mood swings, with some pets even developing a form of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

If you have noticed changes in your pet’s behaviour, book an appointment with one of our vets in Giffnock so they can rule out any health issues that might explain things.

Help your pet feel better

If you’ve noticed your pet seems down, there are plenty of things you can do to improve their mood and get them back on track.

1. Increase mental stimulation with puzzle toys, interactive games, or training sessions to engage your pet’s mind. Even for cats, food puzzles or new climbing structures can help relieve boredom. Add new chew toys, obstacles, tunnels, hideouts, and foraging trays to small pet habitats. Rabbits love to dig, so a homemade digging box would appeal to them.
2. Encourage regular exercise such as brisk dog walks or short indoor play sessions with toys to keep them active. Cats may enjoy chasing a laser pointer or engaging with interactive toys. Give small pets time out of their housing in an indoor run or exercise ball (hamsters and rodents).
3. Ensure your pet’s comfort with a quiet place to retreat to when they need rest. Give small furries extra bedding to snuggle into. A cosy bed in a sunny spot can help cats and dogs feel more secure.
4. Pets thrive on routine and consistency, so keeping feeding, walking, and playtimes regular helps provide stability.
5. Spend more one-on-one time with your pet. Cuddles and attention can help ease the loneliness and help them bond with you during quieter months.

If your pet’s mood seems to worsen or continues for an extended period, Richard says a visit to our vets in Giffnock is a good idea. We can give your pet a full health check, offer advice, and in some cases, prescribe medications or make a referral for therapies which can help restore balance.

In conclusion, as well as their basic needs (food, water and shelter), a pet’s wellbeing depends emotional care, too. If your pet is exhibiting signs of boredom or sadness, it’s important to recognise the signs and provide them with the mental and physical stimulation they need. It’s also best to get their health checked by our experienced veterinary team at Rouken Glen Vets to rule out any underlying conditions that might be contributing to their behaviour.