How to recognise anxiety in your dog
Our four-legged friends have a knack of knowing just when we need them, but we don’t always know when they need us. Unfortunately, anxiety in our pets may be as common as in humans and since dogs communicate primarily through body language it can be hard for us to recognise when they’re stressed.
Many unwanted behaviours in our pets can be the result of anxiety, by identifying potential symptoms, there are many things we can do to help alleviate their stress and improve their behaviours. The following are some simple tips and suggestions that could help your dog find their calm.
What causes anxiety for our pets?
The causes of pet anxiety are nearly as numerous as those for human anxiety;
- Separation anxiety
- Loud noises like fireworks and thunderstorms
- Changes in the home
- A disruption to schedules
- Introduction of a new family member
- Vet visits
How common are the above? It is estimated that 82% of dogs and 89% of cats are scared of something.
What are the signs of anxiety in pets?
Many symptoms of anxiety or fear can have multiple causes, for example, barking, drooling or panting obviously could signify many different things depending on the situation (e.g. excitement, hunger, exhaustion) so it’s important to consider the bigger picture.
In dogs, common signs of anxiety or fear include:
- Barking / whining
- Pacing
- Scratching
- Chewing
- Drooling
- Panting
- Urinating and defecating in the house
- Shaking
- Digging
How to Help Our Pets Feel Less Anxious:
First, it is always a good idea to talk to your vet to rule out any potential medical issues. With that done, here some simple tips and solutions to help reduce anxiety in pets.
- Spend more time together: Physical contact helps both humans and pets relieve anxiety…bring on the love!
- Change the environment: It may seem obvious, but if you are able to identify the stressor and can remove it, do so!
- More physical and mental exercise: Walking is an obvious one but there are lots of brain games to keep your pups mind active too.
- Safe space: If possible, create a quiet and safe space that your dog can retreat to when they need some alone time.
- Get professional help: Speak to your vet for the best guidance
- Try dog anxiety products that are proven to help.
ADAPTIL is clinically proven to help manage signs of stress and anxiety for dogs. ADAPTIL is available in a Adaptil Calm-On-The-Go Collar as well as an Adaptil Calm Home Diffuser.
Try these perfect calming companions for your furbaby!
Blog post sponsored by CEVA