THE SIGNS OF ANXIETY IN DOGS
According to some estimates, 72% of canines show signs of dog anxiety or dog stress.(1).
Behavioural problems, such as stress, can decrease the dog’s quality of life. Sadly, in some cases, these behavioural problems can result in relinquishment or euthanasia.
Natural products are a safe and effective way to promote calm behavior, support relaxation and wellbeing and encourage natural sleep. In some cases of dog anxiety, the dog could also benefit from the use of behavioral techniques and training.
THE SIGNS OF ANXIETY IN DOGS
According to some estimates, 72% of canines show signs of dog anxiety or dog stress.
Behavioural problems, such as stress, can decrease the dog’s quality of life. Sadly, in some cases, these behavioural problems can result in relinquishment or euthanasia.
Natural products are a safe and effective way to promote calm behaviour, support relaxation and wellbeing and encourage natural sleep. In some cases of dog anxiety, the dog could also benefit from the use of behavioural techniques and training.
THE SIGNS OF ANXIETY IN DOGS
According to some estimates, 72% of canines show signs of dog anxiety or dog stress.
Behavioural problems, such as stress, can decrease the dog’s quality of life. Sadly, in some cases, these behavioural problems can result in relinquishment or euthanasia.
Natural products are a safe and effective way to promote calm behaviour, support relaxation and wellbeing and encourage natural sleep. In some cases of dog anxiety, the dog could also benefit from the use of behavioural techniques and training.
OUR CBD DOG RANGE
Trying to identify signs of anxiety in dogs can be difficult and often cause emotional upset or stress for pet parents. It can also result in feelings of guilt or confusion, particularly when the cause of stress is unknown. While the type of dog anxiety can be hard to pin point, there are some key critical signs of stress in dogs.
As pet parents, we always want our dogs to be happy, confident, calm and generally living their best life. Quickly identifying the signs of distress in dogs can help to keep them happy and confident. In some cases, extreme dog anxiety might result in the need for support from supplements and a rigorous training programme.
Types of Dog Anxiety
Separation Anxiety
Signs of anxiety in dogs can be the result of separation anxiety.
This is when the dog has such a strong bond with their owners that they are unable to be confident or comfortable when they are left alone or are separated from their owners.
This type of dog anxiety can express itself in many different behaviors when left alone.
For example, destroying furniture, barking or howling and potentially regressing into puppy-like behaviors like urinating and defecating in the house
Generalised Dog Anxiety
Some dogs can exhibit signs of stress in response to many different situations or triggers; which can make it difficult to recognize or diagnose dog anxiety.
Some dog breeds are just more prone to dog anxiety, such as
Vizslas
Cocker Spaniel
German Shepards
Greyhounds
And many toy breeds.
Often dogs with generalized anxiety get upset anytime there is a change in their routine, environment or whenever they are exposed to a new stimulus.
Age-Related Dog Anxiety
Age can also be a factor, as senior dogs are more likely to suffer cognitive dysfunction like impaired memory, perception and awareness.
Dog stress can be a result of cognitive decline and a weakening of one of their senses, like vision or hearing. Older dogs may show signs of distress as they can be startled easier and therefore become anxious of their unknown environment.
Age-related dog anxiety is very similar to the anxiety experienced by humans battling the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
Fear-Related Dog Anxiety
Some anxious dogs can show signs of anxiety or distress due to loud noises, strange people, unknown stimuli or unfamiliar environments and situations.
This type of dog anxiety can be a brief, one off reaction or they could show signs of anxiety and stress everytime they encounter this stimuli or situation.
Common examples of this type of anxiety is fear of fireworks, the vets, the car or new people coming into the house.
Separation Anxiety
Signs of anxiety in dogs can be the result of separation anxiety.
This is when the dog has such a strong bond with their owners that they are unable to be confident or comfortable when they are left alone or are separated from their owners.
This type of dog anxiety can express itself in many different behaviors when left alone.
For example, destroying furniture, barking or howling and potentially regressing into puppy-like behaviors like urinating and defecating in the house
Generalised Dog Anxiety
Some dogs can exhibit signs of stress in response to many different situations or triggers; which can make it difficult to recognize or diagnose dog anxiety.
Some dog breeds are just more prone to dog anxiety, such as
Vizslas
Cocker Spaniel
German Shepards
Greyhounds
And many toy breeds.
Often dogs with generalized anxiety get upset anytime there is a change in their routine, environment or whenever they are exposed to a new stimulus.
Age-Related Dog Anxiety
Age can also be a factor, as senior dogs are more likely to suffer cognitive dysfunction like impaired memory, perception and awareness.
Dog stress can be a result of cognitive decline and a weakening of one of their senses, like vision or hearing. Older dogs may show signs of distress as they can be startled easier and therefore become anxious of their unknown environment.
Age-related dog anxiety is very similar to the anxiety experienced by humans battling the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
Fear-Related Dog Anxiety
Some anxious dogs can show signs of anxiety or distress due to loud noises, strange people, unknown stimuli or unfamiliar environments and situations.
This type of dog anxiety can be a brief, one off reaction or they could show signs of anxiety and stress everytime they encounter this stimuli or situation.
Common examples of this type of anxiety is fear of fireworks, the vets, the car or new people coming into the house.
Trying to determine what type of dog anxiety you are dealing with can be a long and difficult process. Some owners might not be aware of the signs or pass it off as the dog’s personality. The first step to help answer the question ‘how to know if your dog is stressed’ is to know what signs you are looking for. The next step is to for look for when, and what environment, they show signs of being a stressed dog.
For example, if they only exhibit these tell tale signs of dog anxiety when left home alone this may indicate they are suffering with separation anxiety.
Trying to determine what type of dog anxiety you are dealing with can be a long and difficult process. Some owners might not be aware of the signs or pass it off as the dog’s personality. The first step to help answer the question ‘how to know if your dog is stressed’ is to know what signs you are looking for. The next step is to for look for when, and what environment, they show signs of being a stressed dog.
For example, if they only exhibit these tell tale signs of dog anxiety when left home alone this may indicate they are suffering with separation anxiety.
The Signs of Anxiety in Dogs
Signs of dog anxiety to look out for....
1. Drooling
Signs of anxiety in dogs can include excessive drooling, particularly when accompanied by other stress-induced symptoms. If your dog is drooling because of stress, the drool should stop quickly after the stressor is removed.
2. Excessively Panting
Excessive panting and drooling sadly go hand in hand. This type of panting is called ‘behavioural panting’. Dogs also pant for other reasons, such as after exercise, in hot weather or if they are happy. One way you can decipher the difference between these types of panting is by noting the other symptoms which are also being expressed.
3. Anxiety
Anxious dogs can also show signs like whale eyes, tails tucking, raised hackles and lip licking. Whale eyes are when they show the whites of their eyes. Raised hackles refers to when the hairs on the back of the dog's neck stand up. This combined with tail tucking is a key sign of anxiety. Tail tucking is when the tail tucks underneath the dog’s body or almost looks hidden.
4. Howling
Another sign of a stressed dog that is very common is vocal signals. Many dogs cannot control their whining when they are distressed as it is more of an automatic response. However, this is a very clear cue that something in their environment is causing them stress. Barking is similar to howling as a way of telling you something is stressing them out. In situations where there are vocal cues it is important to consider the context as many dogs may whine or be vocal for many different reasons. Some dogs learn that they get attention through this behavior.
These are only some of the signs of anxiety in dogs that you might witness; some dogs might exhibit all of these, all of these and more, or only show a few of these signs. Now that you have identified these signs in your anxious pet, what is next?
The next step is to identify when your dog shows the critical signs of stress. A great tool is keeping a diary of when and what happened each time they show signs of dog anxiety. This will allow you to spot trends of when they are stressed. After this, it is time to create a plan of action to make your dog less anxious which could include the use of supplements alongside training.
These are only some of the signs of anxiety in dogs that you might witness; some dogs might exhibit all of these, all of these and more, or only show a few of these signs. Now that you have identified these signs in your anxious pet, what is next?
The next step is to identify when your dog shows the critical signs of stress. A great tool is keeping a diary of when and what happened each time they show signs of dog anxiety. This will allow you to spot trends of when they are stressed. After this, it is time to create a plan of action to make your dog less anxious which could include the use of supplements alongside training.
Keep your Dog Happy
Watching our pups be distressed is a horrible feeling because we can’t just communicate that everything is ok. In some situations, removing loud noises may help them feel calmer, but in other situations it can take some time for them to relax.
After identifying the signs of anxiety in dogs and believing your pet is experiencing dog anxiety, we would recommend looking into some dog supplements for anxiety or stress. Many supplements may ease the signs of anxiety in dogs and may help to promote calmness, reduce stress and improve your dog’s quality of life.
Watching our pups be distressed is a horrible feeling because we can’t just communicate that everything is ok. In some situations, removing loud noises may help them feel calmer, but in other situations it can take some time for them to relax.
After identifying the signs of anxiety in dogs and believing your pet is experiencing dog anxiety, we would recommend looking into some dog supplements for anxiety or stress. Many supplements may ease the signs of anxiety in dogs and may help to promote calmness, reduce stress and improve your dog’s quality of life.
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References
Salonen, M., Sulkama, S., Mikkola, S. et al. Prevalence, comorbidity, and breed differences in canine anxiety in 13,700 Finnish pet dogs. Sci Rep 10, 2962 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-59837-z
