Changes in your dog’s behavior? Well, it reflects something is wrong with your dog. They may not seem happy or satisfied with food and may show unusual behavior. These are the signals of anxiety and stress that they may be facing. You might wonder what your dog might stress on? Dogs are emotional beings just like us. They suffer through different kinds of feelings that may be associated with some bad memories, past trauma, or separation anxiety.
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Signs Your Dog Is Stressed
Dog’s body language is all you can take notice of to know if your dog is okay or not. Look out for his changed behavior that reflects the signs of your dog being anxious. The sooner you look for the symptoms, the better it will be for your pet’s health.
Growling
It is very typical for your dog to growl, but it should be considered if it’s happening more often. The dog may be uncomfortable due to some reason and can show aggressive behavior if not treated. It is a pup’s way of showing that they are stressed or anxious.
Whining
Whining is a clear sign of stress and anxiety. Dogs may complain due to phobia, anxiety, or old age. Whining is generally observed in dogs with separation anxiety. There may be other possible reasons for whining, like pain or injury.
Body signals
Your dog’s body may start showing changes in body language. If you observe such changes, it is clear that there is something wrong with your furry mate:
- Tucked tails at the back.
- Pinned ears or alarming behavior.
- Wider eyes.
- Excessive shedding.
- Excessive licking.
- Avoiding eye contact.
Chewing Things
An anxious dog may want to bite on everything at sight. Your fur mate may damage things and chew up everything that is around due to anxiety.
Uncomfortable Socializing
If your dog starts to bark on meeting with other dogs or try to escape from the place, they are anxious. Try to socialize them more often by spending time with them at a park and let them meet new people and dogs.
Pacing Around
They may pace around more often and can look confused. Pacing, shaking, or trembling can be the possible symptoms of anxiety in your dog. It may also be due to age factors in dogs, which can cause dementia.
Escaping
Problems like stress can make your dog confused, which can force him to escape. Escape is another sign of stress.
How To Ease Symptoms
If your dog is experiencing symptoms of stress, it’s important to address the issue as soon as possible. Common symptoms of stress in dogs can include changes in appetite or sleep patterns, increased vocalization, destructive behavior, and avoidance or withdrawal. It’s important to note that these symptoms can also be indicative of other health issues, so it’s always a good idea to consult with a veterinarian if you notice any unusual behavior in your dog.
- Train Them: Training them can divert their mind over suitable activities. It may help them to forget the reason for stress. It will also help them to stay active as stress can lead to fatigue and inactivity.
- Exercise With Your Pet: Exercising will allow you and your dog to keep fit. It will increase the time of interaction between you and your pet. Your pet will love it if it is stressed over you not being around.
- Help Them With Stressful Situations: Help your pet to stay calm or relaxed in stressful situations. Train him to deal with problems he may fear to face. A stressful situation for your dog can be anything like loud noise, socializing, or any bad experience.
- Let Them Feel Safe: Providing them with a safe and comfortable space where they can retreat when feeling overwhelmed, using calming aids such as pheromone diffusers or calming music, and incorporating activities that your dog enjoys into their daily routine.
- Consider natural remedies: There are several natural remedies that can help calm a stressed-out dog, such as chamomile or valerian root. However, it’s important to talk to your vet before trying any natural remedies to ensure they are safe and effective for your dog.
Conclusion
It’s a no-brainer that the dogs can stress over little things that may look normal to us. Your dog can’t communicate its pain to you. His behavior is all that will help. If the symptoms are severe, talk to your vet and try to come up with a solution. The best way is to treat your dog without medication that acts as a natural home remedy.
