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 pets communicate can prevent unwanted situations and even help reduce their anxiety.
If you’re suspicious of the way your pet is acting lately, we’ve provided a list of indicators to tell if they are anxious or stressed 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 exercises. But when dogs become stressed, they don’t slam down the phone, voice out their feelings, or throw tantrums. The signs of dog anxiety are usually subtle to the point it even mimics normal behaviors.
Below are five warning signs of dog anxiety you should look out for.
1. Freezing
When a dog gets stiff or freezes, this might be due to something they see. While this is deemed “submission” in a training context, modern dog training practices state this might mean a dog is shutting down. This is an obvious red flag and can sometimes be dangerous. When dogs show stress indicators like this, they might bite if they feel cornered.
2. Loss of Appetite
Increased digestive problems or loss of appetite is a common indicator of chronic stress in dogs. Even overweight canines will still eat normally when healthy. So if your dog is suddenly refusing food, it can indicate stress, anxiety, or an underlying health issue. Loss of appetite is connected 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 important, especially if your pet is socially active and you frequent dog parks often. If your pet still lacks the mentioned essential preventative treatments, buying a pet wellness plan can help you save money and make your budgeting easier. You may browse the web to read more about pet wellness options and benefits.
3. Barking or Whining
Barking, a typical canine behavior, generally happens for specific reasons. Pups that bark in a prolonged, random, and uncontrolled way might indicate stress, particularly separation anxiety. Excessive vocalizations like whimpering, whining, and roaring are generally involuntary, which means your pet might be feeling terrified, threatened, anxious, or in pain.
If you observe this behavior for days, take your pet for a cat checkup. The vet can identify the cause behind your pet’s unusual behavior and provide tailored therapy or treatment to address their condition.
4. Gastrointestinal Problems
Although related to allergies or health conditions, gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea or constipation are sometimes connected to stress levels. If this symptom lasts more than a day, it’s best to take your pet to a veterinary pharmacy so treatment and diagnosis can begin immediately.
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 canine breeds with no exceptions. However, dogs that shed exceedingly or in larger quantities often signify stress. Dogs that compulsively lick themselves usually lose hair in the areas they lick often.
Conclusion
As fur parents, we all share the same concern of keeping our pets relaxed and comfortable at all times. The best way to calm your pet is to know what triggers their anxiety and stress. Paying attention to your dog’s body language helps you read their stress signals and relieve their anxiety. Expert dog trainers or veterinarians can also provide recommendations on reducing your pet’s response to their stress triggers and eventually eliminating them successfully.