It is heartbreaking to watch your dog suffer from anxiety or stress. Dogs, just like humans, often suffer from stress or anxiety for numerous reasons, including the fear of unfamiliar people and places, separation from their human parents, age-related anxiety that can be associated with Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS), etc. To help your furry friend relax and calm, you need to recognize that they are stressed. So, how can you know that your beloved pooch is anxious or stressed? Let’s find out.

Keep reading to learn about the most common symptoms of anxiety or stress in dogs and a few useful tips to handle anxiety and de-stress your dog.

Common signs of stress & anxiety in dogs

Your furry companion may display one or more of the following signs when they are stressed or anxious:

  • Panting, shaking, & pacing
    Dogs pant in hot weather or after getting involved in rigorous physical exercise. But if you find your fur friend panting excessively with no obvious reasons, they may be experiencing stress. Similarly, your dog may be feeling anxious if you find them pacing or making wide circling movements repeatedly. Incessant shaking or trembling in dogs also indicates stress.
  • Hiding or escaping
    Dogs tend to hide behind their favorite human or under a chair or table when they feel threatened and stressed. If your pooch keeps pointing towards the door and runs outside at the first opportunity they get, this also indicates that they are afraid and something is stressing them.
  • Yawning, drooling, & licking
    It is true that dogs, just like their human counterparts, yawn when they are bored, tired or sleepy. But, they also yawn when they are nervous or stressed. The only difference is, that a stressful yawn will be longer and intense compared to a sleepy yawn. Dogs also drool excessively or lick their lips frequently when they are stressed.
  • Whining or barking
    Dogs vocalize more often when they are under stress. When your furry companion is afraid or tense, they may whine. Similarly, your dog will bark repeatedly to get your attention if they are feeling threatened and want to alert you about their stress, or just to self-soothe.
  • Change in the body language
    When a dog is stressed, they will try to make themselves look as small as they can. Their tail gets tucked between the legs, ears get pinned back against the head, the whites of their eyes look more visible and pupils dilated, they blink faster, and their body weight gets shifted to the hind end. Your dog will also display a closed, tense mouth if they are under stress.
  • Aggressive or destructive behavior
    Increased agitation and aggression towards people and other animals are some of the signs of stress in dogs. Your dog may also display destructive behavior when they are stressed, e.g. scratching the furniture, chewing the doors, breaking windows or screens, etc.
  • Hyper-vigilance
    When your canine friend feels that something bad is going to happen, they will be alert constantly and keep looking outside. Your dog may keep looking at you intently and not leave your side even for a minute. This clingy and super-vigilant behavior indicates that your pooch is anxious.
  • Change in bodily functions
    Not very different from humans, dogs also face stomach upsets when they are stressed. You may even witness other symptoms like toilet accidents, vomiting, and loss of appetite in your stressed pet.

Tips to handle anxiety & stress

Here are some of the most common ways to handle stress or anxiety in your dog and help them stay calm and relaxed:

  • Remove the stressor(s)
    First and foremost, remove the stressor(s) that is triggering your dog. It can be anything, from loud noises to the presence of a stranger (human or animal). Take your pooch to a calmer place and reassure them that they are safe. If it is not possible to get your dog away from the stressor right away, you may also try to involve them in their routine tasks and divert their attention.
  • Create a safe area
    It is ok if your dog is afraid of a situation or a person and wants to get away from them. Instead of forcing your fur baby to interact, let them retreat to their safe zone. Create a safe space for them accessorized with a comfy bed and blanket, your pet’s favorite toys, food and water. This gives your dog a sense of safety and helps them calm down.
  • Opt for dog behavioral treatment
    If your dog gets affected by a number of triggers and becomes stressed or anxious too often, take the help of your veterinarian (veterinary behaviorist) or a dog trainer to create a canine behavior treatment plan. This plan may include behavior modification training and administration of treatments to reduce the emotional response to the triggers.
  • Use anti-anxiety or calming supplements
    You may add supplements to your dog’s routine diet that help reduce anxiety and calm them. There are a variety of calming chews, oral liquids, tablets, and many more options available to assist you. Consult your veterinarian for guidance and give your fur friend the supplements that suit them the best.

To wrap up

Stress in dogs is a common phenomenon. A variety of situations and things can cause stress or anxiety in dogs. By paying attention to the common stress symptoms, you can take the necessary steps to reduce your pooch’s stress. The stress & anxiety signs listed in this blog will help you identify if your dog is stressed and the tips for handling anxiety will help you calm your canine companion and make them feel safe.