Like us, dogs can experience stress, which can manifest in various ways and lead to unwanted behaviors. However, dogs lack the ability to communicate their feelings directly, so understanding subtle stress symptoms becomes paramount in maintaining their well-being.
By identifying signs of anxiety early, you can take steps to mitigate stressors and keep your canine companion happy, calm, and healthy.
As such, this article will teach you how to:
- Recognize common stress symptoms in dogs.
- Identify the root cause of your pet’s anxiety.
- Choose the best treatment for your dog.
How Do You Know If Your Dog Is Stressed?
The signs of anxiety in dogs can be subtle, making them difficult to differentiate from normal behaviors. However, recognizing these signs is the first step in helping an anxious dog.
Whining or barking: Some dogs become more vocal when they’re stressed, either to seek attention or self-soothe.
Licking lips or drooling: Nervous dogs can lick their lips excessively or drool. This is a normal behavior if your pet is hungry or there’s food around, but if not, it can be attributed to stress.
Displacement behaviors or avoidance: Engaging in unrelated behaviors (like scratching or self-grooming) or avoiding interactions with people or other dogs.
Yawning: Not just a sign of fatigue, but also stress, with stressed yawns being more prolonged and intense.
Panting: This indicates stress when not related to heat or physical activity.
Pacing or shaking: This behavior is usually seen after a stressful event as a way to 'shake off' tension.
Changes in eyes or ears: Stressed dogs may have dilated pupils, blink rapidly, or pin their ears back. They can also exhibit “whale eye”, which is when dogs show the white part of their eyes.
Changes in body language: Stress may cause dogs to shift their weight, tuck their tails, or become rigid.
Urinating: Stress can trigger sudden urination, even in well-trained dogs.
Shedding: Increased shedding can occur in response to anxiety or stress.
Hiding or cowering: Dogs may seek refuge under furniture or behind their owner when overwhelmed.
Freezing, stillness, or moving in slow motion: Indicative of severe stress, where the dog feels immobilized by fear.
A whale eye (or half-moon eye) is a tell-tale sign of anxiety. This is when a dog shows the white part of their eyes by turning their eyes to the side without moving their head.
Some signs, like cowering or freezing, are easy to spot and usually indicate severe stress. Others, like licking or pacing, are more subtle.
It’s helpful to compare your dog’s current behavior to their usual demeanor – anything out of the ordinary should be monitored.
It’s also important to consult a veterinarian to rule out any underlying health issues. For instance, excessively licking the lips could signal dental disease, so it’s wise to check your dog for other symptoms.
What Causes Stress In Dogs?
Identifying the root cause of your dog’s stress is the first step in treating their anxiety. The most common reasons are:
- Traveling
- Loud noises
- Separation anxiety
- Being around new people, children, or other pets
- Fear of specific situations, such as vet visits or grooming sessions
How Do I Help My Dog with Stress?
Whenever possible, remove your dog from stressful situations before attempting to soothe them. For example, if your dog starts exhibiting signs of stress when meeting someone new, take them to another room where they can quiet down.
Some situations, however, are unavoidable. In that case, you should start by pinpointing what triggers your dog’s anxiety to select an effective treatment. Here's how you can support your stressed dog:
Exercise: Regular physical activity is crucial in burning off excess energy and producing endorphins, which naturally reduce stress. It also helps dogs with separation anxiety by providing valuable bonding time.
Gentle Petting: Physical contact helps in releasing oxytocin, a hormone that promotes bonding and reduces cortisol, the stress hormone. This method is particularly effective for dogs that seek out human companionship during stressful times.
Music Therapy: Research shows playing soft, classical music can have a calming effect on stressed dogs. You can use this method at home or while traveling to soothe your canine companion.
Calming Supplements: These supplements often contain ingredients like L-theanine, L-tryptophan, chamomile, or melatonin, which can promote relaxation without sedation. They’re usually recommended for traveling, moving, or solitude periods.
Calming Treats/Food: Some treats and foods are formulated with calming ingredients like chamomile or milk protein hydrolysate. These are especially helpful if your dog is prone to stress as a long-term solution.
Stress Plug-In Diffusers: These devices release pheromones that mimic the hormones a mother dog emits to comfort her puppies. They're useful for creating a reassuring environment in your home.
Calming Sprays: Calming sprays also contain pheromones, with the difference being they’re only emitted when you decide to use them. They work best when sprayed on beds, carriers, and other spots where your pooch likes to lounge.
Calming Collars: Calming collars are as easy to use as any other collars, but they release calming pheromones to provide continuous stress relief, making them ideal for dogs that experience ongoing anxiety.
Anxiety Medication: For severe or ongoing stress, your veterinarian might prescribe anxiety medications, which could be short-term or for ongoing use. It's key to follow your veterinarian’s advice closely, and for dogs on medication for over six months, yearly health checks and treatment reviews are essential.
Consulting a vet is crucial before starting treatment, as they consider multiple factors like age, personality, and health issues to ensure the most suitable approach and minimize side effects.
What To Do If Your Dog Has Anxiety?
Addressing your dog's stress involves keen observation and adapting your approach to their unique needs. Exercise, comforting interactions, and therapeutic aids like music and calming products can significantly ease anxiety.
Before choosing your preferred method, it’s always best to consult with a veterinarian. That’s because a vet can provide a thorough assessment, rule out any underlying health issues, and recommend the most appropriate and safe treatment options for your dog in particular.
We wish you the best of luck on your wellness journey and we hope this guide helps you on your way to a happier, more serene life with your precious canine companion!