Dogs communicate with their body language, that’s why it’s important for us humans to understand what they mean to say. Learning how our dogs communicate can prevent unwanted situations and even help reduce their anxiety.
If you’re suspicious of the way your dog is acting lately, we’ve provided a list of indicators to tell if they’re stressed or anxious so you can provide immediate help.
Symptoms of Anxiety in Dogs
People have their own coping mechanisms against stress. Some occupy themselves by playing games, doing routine chores like cleaning the house, hanging out with friends, or blowing off some steam with physical activities. But when dogs become stressed, they don’t slam down the phone, voice out their feelings, or throw a tantrum. The signs of dog anxiety are often subtle to the point it even mimics normal behaviors.
Below are five warning signs of dog anxiety you should watch out for.
1. Barking or Whining
Barking, a typical dog behavior, generally happens for specific reasons. Pups that bark in a prolonged, random, and uncontrolled way may indicate stress, particularly separation anxiety. Excessive vocalizations like whimpering, whining, and growling are generally involuntary, which means your dog might be feeling scared, anxious, threatened, or in pain.
If you observe this behavior for days, take your dog to the vet for a pet checkup. The vet can pinpoint the cause behind your pet’s unusual behavior and provide tailored therapy or treatment to address their condition.
2. Loss of Appetite
Increased digestive problems or loss of appetite is a common sign of chronic stress in dogs. Even overweight dogs will still eat regularly when healthy. So if your dog is suddenly refusing food, it can indicate anxiety, stress, or an underlying health issue. Loss of appetite is linked to many dog health conditions in social settings, including parvo, distemper, and canine influenza.
These viral diseases can be prevented by completing your dog’s vaccines and ensuring they don’t miss booster shots. This preventive measure is vital, especially if your pet is socially active and you frequent dog parks often. If your pet still lacks essential preventative treatments, buying vet wellness plans can help you save money and make your budgeting easier.
3. Gastrointestinal Issues
Although related to allergies or health conditions, gastrointestinal issues like constipation and diarrhea are also connected to stress levels. If this symptom lasts more than a day, it’s best to take your pet to a vet diagnostic lab so treatment and diagnosis can begin immediately.
4. Freezing
When a dog gets stiff or freezes, this may be due to something they see. While this is viewed as “submission” in a training context, modern dog training practices say this could mean a dog is shutting down. This is an obvious red flag and can sometimes be dangerous. When dogs show stress signs like this, they may bite if they feel cornered.
5. Excessive Shedding
Shedding is a natural process of a dog ridding itself of old hair that has reached its cycle. This happens to all dog breeds with no exceptions. However, dogs that shed excessively or in larger quantities often signify stress. Dogs that compulsively lick themselves often lose hair in the areas they lick often.
Conclusion
As pet parents, we all share the same concern of keeping our dogs relaxed and comfortable at all times. The best way to calm your pet is to know what causes their stress and anxiety. Paying attention to your dog’s body language helps you read their stress signals and ease their anxiety. Professional dog trainers or veterinarians can also provide advice on reducing your pet’s response to their stress triggers and eventually eliminating them successfully.
