Season of darkness for dogs and cats, too
Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Jan 26/01) - Is woofer's fur lacking lustre during the dim days of winter? Is kitty sleeping 20 hours a day instead of the usual 16 -- rising only to eat?
Could it be the family pet has seasonal affected disorder?
By now -- the human disorder, known as SAD, was first accepted in the medical community years ago -- most of us know about how a lack of light can zap human energy.
"I've not heard anybody ask about (animal SAD). I think that's something a vet would have to talk about," said Jo-Ann Cooper who owns Borealis Kennels and Pet Supplies.
Asked what might be done to help someone who did suggest their pet has SAD, Cooper said: "Some people leave a radio going for their animals, regardless of the season."
Great Slave Animal Hospital veterinarian Tom Pisz says it is likely that animals suffer the darkness just as much as humans, if not more.
"You can see they get depressed, they gain weight," he said.
"Several times, clients have brought animals in (reporting) behaviour changes," Pisz said. In these cases, tests may reveal no problems, suggesting the animal may be reacting to the darker, colder season, he adds.
"In the spring, when it's lighter, they are much happier."
Karen McLeod, who works at the animal hospital, said it was interesting that Yellowknifer was asking.
She said just last night her cat jumped up on the table and positioned itself under a lamp shade.
It appeared "as if she was getting a dose of light," McLeod said.
Humans -- apparently about 500,000 Canadians have SAD -- can take steps to combat the disorder, like sitting in front of what's known as a light box or even wearing a light unit.
Getting a dog or cat to see that light might present something of a challenge though.
Imagine a dog sitting around wearing a head-mounted light-emitting unit for half an hour a day.
But, knowing how people love their dogs and cats, if it turns out Fido or Fluffy is some day diagnosed with SAD, the master of the house might just try such a remedy -- on the pet.
After all, pet owners protect animals from the cold with sweaters and muttluks. One thing's certain, if we find our animals are seasonally affected, they may be in the dark about why their slowing down, but they won't go through it alone.
