Just like humans, dogs can experience anxiety, however, the signs are often subtle. Many dog owners misunderstand signs of stress and put it down to simply poor behaviour, when in fact the majority of dogs have suffered from anxiety at some stage in their lifetime.
While some of this can be put down to a one-off reaction in a particular circumstance, that still leaves a large number of dogs who live with anxiety on a daily basis.
Knowing how to recognise that your dog is displaying anxious behaviour is important, as the sooner you can address the situation causing the anxiety, the better the outcome.
Signs of anxiety
Depending on the situation and the temperament of your dog, the behaviours that a dog will exhibit when feeling anxious can differ quite significantly.
Some of the typical signs of anxiety include:
- Excessive barking, howling or whining
- Trembling
- Repetitive digging or scratching
- Aggression
- Destructive behaviour
- Easting unusual items
- Not eating
- Hiding
- Toileting in the house all of a sudden
- Drooling or panting excessively
There can also be more subtle signs where your dogโs body language may change slightly, such as looking away from you or licking their lips more often than usual.
Common causes of anxiety in dogs
Fear is a natural instinct โ for both people and animals โ and this can turn into anxiety for some dogs.
There are a number of sources for anxiety that we see quite commonly in the clinic, including:
- Separation anxiety
- Changes in environment โ such as a visit to the vet, or travelling in the car
- Interaction with other dogs or cats
- Anxiety stemming from phobias (such as thunderstorms or loud noises)
- Age-related anxiety due to a decline in cognitive function
Diagnosis
Itโs important not to just ignore your dogโs anxiety. Itโs a very unpleasant experience for your pet and can lead to an escalation of behavioural issues if left untreated. Anxiety is a medical condition, so itโs important that you consult with your vet if your dog is displaying anxious behaviour. They will undertake a thorough health check to rule out any medical issues such as illness, disease or chronic pain.
Strategies for managing anxiety in dogs
The earlier you can identify that your dog may be experiencing anxiety, the easier it is to manage. Depending on the source of your dogโs stress, there are a range of strategies for managing anxiety in dogs. Typically, your vet will recommend a multi-faceted approach, which may include a combination of:
- Change to your petโs environment
- Desensitisation exercises
- Positive behaviour reinforcement
- Use of natural pheromones such as Adaptil
- Medication if required
Weโre here to help
Seeing your beloved pet suffer from anxiety is difficult and can also become quite debilitating for your dog. If you are concerned that your pet may be displaying anxious behaviours, please bring them in for a consultation so we can formulate a plan to manage their anxiety and get them back to their happy and healthy self as soon as possible.
To schedule an appointment, call our friendly team on 03 9555 4808 or you can book via our website.
