If you have a dog, you probably already know they can express their feelings like humans do. That means your little pup can become sad and withdrawn when they are stressed out, which can lead to depression if it lingers for too long.
Acute fear and anxiety can lead to a decrease in appetite or anorexia, diarrhoea, vomiting or colitis. With chronic anxiety, such as when moving homes, when a new pet is introduced into the home, or with the loss of a human or pet in the family, there may be more profound effects on behaviour and health.
It can take weeks or even months for the cortisol levels of a dog who has been living with chronic stress to reduce to normal levels for that dog.
Raised hackles are an undeniable physical sign of your dog's discomfort. Pacing: Your pet might walk back and forth nervously if feeling stressed. Shaking or trembling: This behavior is an obvious sign of dog stress. Whining, barking, or growling: Your pet will often “talk” to you when feeling uncomfortable.
Gastrointestinal distress - One of the most common physical reactions to stress for canines is digestive upset; this can take the form of vomiting but is most often seen as diarrhea.
Physical activities like walking or playing fetch help both you and your dog release tension. It is also good to provide your dog with a safe place in the home where he can escape anxious situations. Everybody enjoys a calm place to retreat. And, finally, remember that stress is not always bad.
Dog owners enjoy numerous health and social benefits by walking their dog a few times a week. Benefits include improved cardiovascular fitness, lower blood pressure, stronger muscles and bones (built up by walking regularly), and decreased stress.
Acute post traumatic stress disorder is the most common form of PTSD seen in dogs. Acute reactions begin occurring directly after the traumatizing incident or incidents and generally subside within three months.
While humans take longer to fall asleep after a bad day, the dogs fell asleep more quickly after a bad experience than after a good one. This is thought to be a protective response to stress. But, just like humans, dogs did not sleep as well after the bad experience, showing their sleep was disturbed.
It can weaken immune systems, elevate blood pressure, and contribute to heart, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and skin conditions. Stress can also result in long-term behavioral problems. Fortunately, there are several ways we can prevent or reduce pet stress, be it situational or chronic.
Clinical Signs of Dog Anxiety and Fear
Panic: signs may include panting, pacing, active escape behavior and increased out-of-context, potentially injurious motor activity. Sympathetic autonomic nervous system activity, including diarrhea. Lesions secondary to licking and biting their own body. Tail-chasing and circling.
Dogs can have a pathological anxiety response to any stimulus with which they have had a very significant negative past experience. Again, the dog's behavior may range from a violent, panicked attempt to escape, to constant panting and pacing, or severe trembling and shutting down.
Common signs of anxiety in dogs include:
Barking or howling when owner isn't home. Panting and pacing (even when it's not hot) Shivering. Running away and/or cowering in the corner of a house.
Neurological conditions such as seizures, viruses (such as Distemper) can cause your dog to act scared and shake. Neurological conditions cause involuntary shaking and seizing which can be very scary for your dog and cause them to show fear and to shake uncontrollably.
Stress. Stress and anxiety are huge factors when it comes to a pet not settling. A pup may be anxious for many reasons including changes in routine, as well as loud noises like fireworks and storms.
What are the typical signs of pain in dogs? General behaviour: Shaking, flattened ears, low posture, aggression, grumpy temperament, panting or crying, excessive licking or scratching a specific area, reluctant to play, interact or exercise, lameness (limping), stiffness after rest, loss of appetite.
What are the symptoms of anxiety in dogs? Common symptoms of anxiety include increased vigilance, drooling, panting, restlessness, compulsive behavior, changes in sleep patterns, more barking than usual, urinating or defecating indoors, destructive behavior, and depression.
Cats and dogs who've been through trauma can develop signs of fear, anxiety, and stress, which can reveal themselves in a variety of ways. Some signs to watch out for are: Attempts to escape or flee. Avoidance behaviors, like hiding, avoiding eye contact, or avoiding certain triggers.
Causes of stress
If they spend too much time alone they can feel lonely. They also can get scared. Change of residence is another common stress trigger. Whether you're moving to another place or simply putting the dog in a kennel, a strange new place will make the dog feel quite uneasy.
Your veterinarian will help you come up with a treatment plan. Since excessive anxiety is often caused by a variety of factors, the best way to treat it is usually through a combination of training, preventive strategies, and in some cases, medications.