September 5, 2025, 4:03 am | Read time: 6 minutes
The idea sounds enticing: a loyal dog that looks at you lovingly, offers comfort, and makes you feel important. A dog that gets you out of bed, even on the toughest days. For many people with depression, the thought of a four-legged companion is a glimmer of hope. But whether a dog can actually help depends greatly on the individual situation—and it is by no means a “simple solution,” experts say.
“Dogs Are the Best Medicine”—But Is That Really True?
“Dogs are the best medicine”—a phrase often heard. But should people with depression really get a dog? Dog psychologist Marc Ebersbach advises caution. “If we’re only talking about a short phase—meaning a generally mentally stable person who experiences a one-time crisis—then a dog can indeed be a support.”
Dogs provide distraction, force you to go outside several times a day, and offer, at best, closeness and the healing experience of unconditional acceptance. “Ideally, the dog is a little cuddle monster that shows you: ‘I’m still here.’ That does a lot of good for many people in a crisis,” says Ebersbach.
When Responsibility Becomes a Burden
The situation is different, however, when it is not a temporary phase but a mental illness. Then a four-legged friend can be beneficial, but it can also become a burden. “The key is whether I can maintain a stable routine for the dog and take responsibility despite my challenges. And not just as a duty, but with joy.”
Dogs need rituals and consistent routines. Those who can provide this with joy will receive new energy from the dog. “But if I notice that this responsibility becomes a burden, then it backfires—and the dog is not good for me in this situation but becomes an additional obligation.”
“During This Time, the Dog Suffered Completely”
Reality TV star and podcaster Lars Tönsfeuerborn is also familiar with this tension between depression and living with a dog, as he reported in a 2023 interview with PETBOOK. Tönsfeuerborn spoke openly about his experience with depression and the important role his dog Gizmo played in his life during that time. “When I think back to that time, Gizmo gave me structure in my life. I was forced to go out every day; I couldn’t just stay in bed,” he said.
But he also realized how sensitive dogs are to their owners’ problems. “When I had to go to the clinic, he stayed in my shared apartment, and he was in good hands there. But during that time, the dog completely suffered with me. We tried once to have him visit me in the clinic, but it didn’t work at all. He was completely distressed for five days afterward.”
If Stability and Structure Are Lacking, Dog Ownership Is Not a Good Idea
Tönsfeuerborn shared that during this phase, Gizmo slept by his pillow every night. “This dog gave me structure in a difficult time. But I wouldn’t generally advise people with depression to get a pet, because that would send the wrong message.”
Also, Caner Aygün, a psychologist, emphasizes in an interview with PETBOOK that one must look closely: “Depression is not the same for everyone. There are different levels, variations, and forms. If there is no lack of stability and structure in daily life, then there is nothing against having a dog. But if stability and structure are missing, having a dog is not a good idea. “If, on the other hand, you already have a certain level of structure, dogs or other pets can be a great support in healing.”
“A Dog Can Provide Structure and Affection”
A dog can indeed help get through tough times: “A dog can provide structure and affection. But it’s important not to think selfishly, ‘I’ll get a dog because I’m not feeling well.’ A dog is a living being with feelings of its own. It senses when its owner is not well and becomes concerned.”
For those considering getting a pet while dealing with depression, Aygün recommends a three-step approach: consult with friends or family to see if they can step in during emergencies; seek professional advice; and finally, conduct an honest self-assessment. “In the end, it should always be a decision that considers various perspectives—your own, your social circle’s, and that of professionals.”
“This Kind of Responsibility Can Become a Burden for Some”
Dogs can help support their owners through tough times—but the responsibility remains. “This kind of responsibility can become a burden for some,” emphasizes dog psychologist Marc Ebersbach. Some people have tried to share the responsibility with a second person, but it was still too much for some in their mental state. His recommendation is clear: “Look back—and be brutally honest with yourself.”
He also warns that dogs can suffer from their owners’ mental health issues. “Dogs absorb the moods of their caregivers like a sponge,” says the dog psychologist. A lack of energy, motivation, and an overall sad demeanor can also affect dogs. “Dogs are extremely sensitive and are particularly affected by their owners’ moods.”
“Without My Dog, I Wouldn’t Be Alive Today”
When Ebersbach released a video on this topic, he recalls that the feedback was very mixed. Many people wrote, “Without my dog, I wouldn’t be alive today.” “I was very surprised by the intensity of these responses,” says Marc Ebersbach.
Others pointed out that not every case of clinical depression means a person can’t care for a dog. “Some people with clinical depression have told me that they have been well-managed medically for years. As a result, they are able to care for a dog, and the animals don’t even notice the illness in this form.” The key, therefore, is whether someone is medically stable and in treatment or not.
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The Question People With Depression Should Ask Before Getting a Dog
In this context, Ebersbach suggests that people ask themselves: “Have you been in a stable mental state for the last five to ten years?”
Being mentally stable doesn’t mean never having fluctuations—those are normal. “Being mentally stable means not being unable to structure your daily life for days, weeks, or even months.”
“Many Make the Mistake of Thinking in the Here and Now When They Feel Stable”
“So my advice for people considering getting a dog is: ‘Don’t ask yourself, “Will I be able to do it?” but look back at your past.’ Many people make the mistake of thinking in the here and now when they feel stable. While a dog can be a tremendous support—’but it is always also a responsibility. And you have to be able to handle that responsibility long-term.'”
He acknowledges that there has been criticism of his nuanced stance. A small minority of so-called “hardliners” insisted that people with mental health issues should not get a dog. “But most people have approached the topic in a moderate and nuanced way—and that has pleased me,” he says.