Just like humans, dogs can also suffer from anxiety. In fact, separation anxiety affects 20 to 40% of dogs.
But, how can you tell if your dog is suffering from anxiety? Luckily, animals communicate a lot to us through their bodies.
Check out this guide to learn how to tell if you have a dog with anxiety symptoms.
Your Dog Can’t Settle or Relax
Have you noticed that your dog always seems on edge and can’t seem to wind down? Do you notice that your dog is flinching at nearly every sound and frequently waking up when sleeping?
If so, there’s a chance that your dog is suffering from anxiety. You may also notice your dog pacing back and forth a lot, peeking through their favorite windows frequently, or wandering to the perimeter of your home more frequently than normal.
Your dog is likely doing these things to comfort his anxiety levels and try to calm down.
They’re Displaying Odd Body Language
Oftentimes, the best way to tell if your dog is suffering from anxiety is to pay attention to their body language. These signs can sometimes be very subtle, but here’s what to watch out for:
- Whining
- Barking
- Panting
- Shaking or trembling
- Drooling
- Defecating or urinating in the house where they shouldn’t
- Excessive barking
- Tucking their tail in
- Putting their ears back
- Unusual posturing
- Showing their gums
- Rigid ears
- Sweaty paws
- Scratching
- Destructive chewing
- Sudden shedding
- Vomiting
If these behaviors are just a one-time issue, then you don’t have anything to worry about. However, if you start to notice a pattern, it could be because of their anxiety.
If you find out these behaviors are due to anxiety, you may want to consider enrolling in a dog mom training course to help alleviate their symptoms.
Lack of Appetite
Sometimes, it can be very difficult to tell why your dog isn’t eating. It may be that they’re suffering from:
- Dental problems
- Allergies or parasites
- Depression
- An autoimmune or neurological disease
- Tumors
- Food poisoning/upset stomach
- Problems with their internal organs
Or, it could simply be that they don’t like the taste of their food. However, a lack of appetite could also indicate that your dog is suffering from anxiety. First, you’ll want to take your dog to the vet to rule out any physical problems. If you’ve ruled out all of the physical problems, then it’s likely that your dog is suffering from anxiety.
Time to Help Your Dog With Anxiety Symptoms
Now that you know how to tell if you have a dog with anxiety symptoms, it’s time to figure out what to do next. First, you’re going to want to get to the bottom of what’s causing their anxiety.
It could be due to their environment, loud noises, a change in family composition, separation, or changes in their routine. Once you’ve figured out the cause, you can start working with your vet to eradicate it.
Be sure to also check back in with our blog for more dog-related news and tips.
