Does anyone have a pet that helps with your depression with bipolar I feel like I need a dog or some cute cat to keep me company and show my love :/

[Br0k3nW1ng3d]

I have a Chihuahua and when I'm in the dumps she always stays at my side. She also is great for channeling some of my energy when manic too by going for walks and such. Animals are very therapeutic

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[~Christina]

Yes. My dog is amazing.

[gina_re]

Yeah I have an awesome (although sometimes moody) cat. She's been my rock all these years.

Yep. Two dogs, a cat, and a bunch of reptiles.

My big fluffy Maine Coon cat that I aptly named "Psycho" has helped me more times than I can think of. When I feel depressed and hopeless, she comforts me. When I feel super manic, she lets me chase her around the house and play with her

[Edgar's Mom]

We are animal poor from having so many and because a few are seniors. We have our old boy Fred, who is my hubby's dog, but my little princess Sophie (Boston Terrier) and Edgar (Bull Terrier) supply me with enough love and cuddles to almost make my worst depression bearable. They are glued to me every night when we are watching TV and I couldn't imagine life without their cuddles. Sophie and Edgar are my dogs and Fred and our cat (Chloe) are my hubby's babies, and he still has a couple snakes (baby ball python, and a corn snake we hatched)

What I will say is that if you get a dog, make sure to get one whose age/activity level can match your depression. What I mean is to find a dog that can sleep most of the day away with you while you are depressed, with minimal exercise or a small breed that is easy to exercise throwing toys around in the house.

Our older dogs like to sleep and cuddle all day with only short play sessions, but my bully Edgar runs my life--it pretty much revolves around him. He is a VERY energetic dog and is like having a toddler. Not a breed I'd recommend for 98% of people I know. Even when I'm depressed, I have to have activities planned for him for most of the day and he MUST be entertained. He's the kind of dog who caved in a wall chasing a ball down the hallway, and the comments I get from people are that he's an awesome dog but they don't know how I do it. He will only sleep for part of the day and needs to bounce off walls for the rest. My little Sophie on the other hand is perfectly behaved, affectionate, quiet and I never really had to train her. She is just a perfect little dog. Edgar is giving me grey hairs but my heart flips every time I look at him.

Also, no matter how depressed and agoraphobic I get, I have to take my dogs out to pee, which I HATE doing when I'm depressed, even in my own back yard since neighbours could see in and could potentially talk to me when I want nothing more than to hide. Cats can be indoor only. Some toy breeds too, but it's nice for them to get outside too.

Dogs are needier than cats and that is something to consider. They are not as independent and they can have behaviour problems if their needs aren't met. That said, I'm definitely more of a dog person, although I love all animals and have had everything from dogs and cats, to boas, pythons, colubrids, monitors, chameleons, geckos, as well as parrots and all sorts of rodents.

Just plan for something easy enough to look after when you can barely look after yourself unless you have some support or someone else who will be sharing the chores. For dog chores poop needs to be cleaned, often barf as well, toys picked up, coats groomed, nails done, floors covered in hair and drool and footprints, blankets laundered more frequently, and there's more to think about in keeping supplies on hand. I can't tell you how many times we've run out of dog food, and I'm so depressed I can't go to the store. In my case, my hubby does it so it's no big deal, but if I lived alone it would be a challenge that way...

Lots to think about. I think animals are well worth the effort and money they cost to keep and couldn't imagine life without mine, but there is the responsibility to consider as well since it's not fair to get them if you won't be able to look after them. If you can do it, it's well worth it in my opinion.

[BastetsMuse]

I have two dogs and a cat. They save me... although at this moment I am dealing with a poopy mess on the carpet because one of them didn't ask to go out last night! (blech) Thank the stars for the Spot Bot Carpet Cleaner!

Sometimes I think I like pets better than people.

[Blue_Bird]

We have two cats, they are amazing and make me smile everyday

[vjdragonfly]

Originally Posted by ValentinaVVV

Yep. Two dogs, a cat, and a bunch of reptiles.

ahhhhh, another reptile lover

[vjdragonfly]

Yes I find my pets to be very therapeutic at times. Dogs are good for knowing when you need a little extra love. I'm allergic to cats but they are good cuddlers too. Only thing I like to tell people before they get a pet is that they know they can care for it and give it a forever home.

[fishin fool]

I dont have a pet right now but I have had dogs most of my life.
You just cant beat the unconditional love they have for you.

I have a cat he is a great calming additive

Originally Posted by vjdragonfly

ahhhhh, another reptile lover

My son used to have a tegu, but it escaped from it's enclosure one night and burned itself to death on a heat register in our house. EEK

We have had reptiles since my kids were young.

Originally Posted by ValentinaVVV

My son used to have a tegu, but it escaped from it's enclosure one night and burned itself to death on a heat register in our house. EEK

We have had reptiles since my kids were young.

Reptiles are cool haha

I've wanted a pet snake for the longest time.

[secretgalaxy]

I have 3 dogs, a cat, and a bird. They all do something special to help me through my manias and depressions. Ellie, our female is more of my mom's dog, and Amari, our male is 100% my dog. Gideon our other male, is everyone's cuddle buddy. Amari is learning how to be a service dog to help me around the house and my anxiety. My cat is an awesome cuddle bug. My bird is a little parakeet and I am teaching him how to talk (they can learn 1500 words and phrases!). He is a newcomer and I've only had him for a couple months.

[Row Jimmy]

I have a maltese poodle and I love her - she follows me around like she knows I need her companionship. She's a goofball too which makes her even more lovable. We have hardwood floors and when I call her for a treat, she scrambles to the kitchen and when she takes a corner, she crashes into the wall. Then she does this silly jump-and-circle act we call the "Treat Dance".

[BlackSheep79]

I have three dogs and I would be lost if I did not have them by my side. They know when I'm not doing well and cuddle with me. One of them is so loyal to me. He follows me everywhere. I grew up always having a dog except when I had an apartment and I was miserable. Animals are the best, especially dogs, sorry cat people, lol.

[GemmaTeller]

My dogs have been my saviors at times. If it wasn't for them needing to be taken out, fed, etc, I would barely get out of bed some days when I am depressed. They force me to function. They provide unconditional love, always wagging the tails and acting like they listen. The fur therapy is calming. Yes, they require training and attention but they can be worth it.

[Standup2me]

One dog and six cats
I've had pets all of my life, and they saved me so many time because I knew that if I committed sui, nobody would take them in. So I had to live for them

[vjdragonfly]

Originally Posted by ValentinaVVV

My son used to have a tegu, but it escaped from it's enclosure one night and burned itself to death on a heat register in our house. EEK

We have had reptiles since my kids were young.

Poor Tegu , that really sucks.

[vjdragonfly]

Originally Posted by DarknessIsMyFriend

Reptiles are cool haha

I've wanted a pet snake for the longest time.

I love my snakes, although I wish I could have them on display in my living room cause I love watching them. I don't have the room and I use less electricity having one room for my reptiles.

[vjdragonfly]

Originally Posted by Standup2me

One dog and six cats
I've had pets all of my life, and they saved me so many time because I knew that if I committed sui, nobody would take them in. So I had to live for them

I call that my anchor, without it I don't know where I would be, but mine is my kids.

[THE16THDOCTOR]

I've seen a lot of people with our illness get a lot of satisfaction and love having out a pet, especially dogs. Totally recommend it.

[kimber1234]

My dog licks my tears when I'm depressed and walks miles with me when I'm manic. She's my best friend. I talk to her all the time (during episodes and not) and she listens.

She's incredibly smart. She understands so many words and the Shiba Inu in her allows her to "talk" to me. Her favorite word is "out". No, it's never in English...

However, my first MAJOR depression (4 months long) when I was in college, I didn't take care of my cats and bunny. It was so bad my bunny died . Please make sure you can take care of whatever pet you get, even during a depression- they are, however, they are fantastic therapy.