Light therapy for dogs with winter depression

I’m a spring summer person. The first spring blooms, the long hot days of summer. I take no joy in the autumn when days start getting shorter and the darkness longer.

And so are my dogs. Instead of rushing outside in the morning sun to do their doggie business and play in the yard, they sniff the darkness and try to convince me they can hold it until spring.

Seasonal affective disorder or SAD not only affects many people but it can also affect pets. At its worst, symptoms can include depression, lack of energy, restlessness, difficulty in sleeping, anxiety, decreased appetite and social withdrawal.

And it isn’t our imaginations. Lack of sunlight can lower levels of serotonin production, a hormone in our bodies that causes us to have feelings of happiness and well being, and of melatonin, a hormone which helps us sleep.

As days grew shorter Max Marvin from rainy Seattle was suffering from insomnia when a sleep specialist suggested he try a light box to reset his sleep cycle and balance production of melatonin. After only a week he felt more energized and less depressed.

And so did his dog Luke.

Dogs will seek out the smallest beam of light that comes into their home, but when there is no sunlight they can fall victim to SAD just as humans do.

After seeing the effect of light on Luke, Marvin decided to create a light box for dogs. Working with a British manufacturer, they developed the Sol Box, the first light box designed just for pets, but humans can find it helpful too. In fact, it can be a bonding experience.

The powerful Sol Box by Pawsitive Lighting can deliver the equivalent of a sunny day to your pet, anytime. Simply place the box somewhere your pet finds comfortable, turn it on, and let them gravitate towards the light. Soon your companion will be enjoying the amazing benefits of light therapy including increased energy, decreased anxiety, enhanced sleep and elevated mood. The minimum effective dose is about 30 to 45 minutes of light, however there is no harm in letting your cat or dog bask in the refreshing light box all day long. Source

Drugs such as Prozac are often prescribed to ease winter depression in humans and dogs, but Sol Box has no side effects.

The $200 may seem a little pricey but the company offers a 30 day money back guarantee. And it is a lot less expensive than joining Georgia Little Pea and our other friends in summery Australia.

More information at Pawsitive Lighting

Disclaimer: I was not given a sample Sol Box to try out. However I would not turn one down. It beats our current solution of turning every light on in the house on dark nights and gloomy days.

Comments

[Khyra and Sometimes Her Mom]

Woo need to eskhape Khaliland and khome to PAWSylvania ;-)

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

[Sherry in MT]

For those in Seattle this winter they need all the help they can get. We may have cold but we tend to get quite a bit of sunshine even if it is 20 below. That is why I like it here....last winter, lots of gray days and boy you could tell it in the critters and humans.

[Kolchak, Felix & Jodi]

Felix and I have one of those fake sun lamps. I bought it for myself, but he always forces his little body into the light stream, so I share <3

[Jen]

Oh how neat, I didn't know they made them for dogs! About the same price, though, wow.

[geogia little pea]

Much cheaper LOL. Though it would be better if you could dig your toes in the sand and smell the flowers as well :)

Georgia is definitely a sun seeker. She sunbathes so much, sometimes panting away but still refusing to budge, I think she's a candidate for melanoma.

I'd best wish you a happy new year now in case I don't get a chance tomorrow. Thank you for your funny, informative posts that keep me in touch with stuff happening in the animal world! See you next year! X

[Jen @MyBrownNewfies]

I can say with most certainly that my dogs do not suffer from SAD in the winter, maybe in the summer when it's too hot for them to do anything:)

[Linda]

I have that...my dogs have that and my chickens...I so understand.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

¸.•*¨*•♪♫♫♪HAPPY NEW YEAR ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥

[yellowdoggranny]

I remember living in Portland, Oregon and thinking doesn't the sun ever shine here?
I don't know how they do it.

[jansfunnyfarm]

Sounds like a nice thing to have around the house.

Happy New Year!

[Jodi]

A monthly prescription adds up too, the box would be a one time investment. Although I suppose after a time it would need to be replaced. :-)

I wondered if animals could get SAD. Thanks for clearing that up!!

[VitaHound Staff]

Our staff at VitaHound interacts with thousands of dog lovers each week. We utilize this high level of communication with owners to recognize developing concerns and feedback on various dog nutrition and health care products. The mental health of our canine companions is in the early stages of awareness among the dog’s caregivers. Currently dog owners are primarily concerned with stress or anxious behaviors common in dogs, however owners are beginning to seek a deeper understanding of the health of their dog’s psyche.
Our feedback data indicates concerns over a pet’s happiness and well-being is becoming a conventional treatment rather than unconventional and products including Sol Box will become as ordinary as dog supplements in the daily lives of canines. As the author indicates, hormones role in the mental well-being is the best place for dog owners to begin their analysis what treatments will work best.
VitaHound believes products that regulate the dopamine levels in dog’s brain chemistry show the most promise. All natural formulations allow daily use without a narcotic effect on energy and alertness. This is our organization’s initial post here, however the site is a quality dog info source I hope becomes popular with our staff.