Since dogs can not talk, they interact with their human parents using their body language, so it’s important to understand what they’re trying to tell behind their gestures. Learning the way your pet communicates can help in reducing their anxiety and prevent unwanted situations from occurring.
Are you worried that your dog might be stressed? We will talk about several warning signs to look out for to help you act proactively.
Could Your Pet Be Stressed?
Like people, our furry friends can also become anxious and stressed. As a dog parent, it’s your responsibility to recognize the signs of anxiety in your pet so you can react immediately and make them feel comfortable and secure in their environment. Often, the symptoms of stress in dogs can be subtle, so it’s important to be observant.
Below are five common signs of stress in dogs:
1. Aggression
Aggressive behavior towards other animals and individuals is a common sign of sickness or stress in canines. If you observe your dog becoming agitated, this might signal an underlying condition. This is often accompanied by angry, tense facial expressions and fearful body posture.
Puppy fear usually leads to aggressiveness, which can be corrected with punishment-free obedience training and positive reinforcement. Addressing this behavior in young pets is essential to prevent stressful veterinary visits when you take them for preventive care. A puppy veterinarian can provide tailored recommendations if your companion keeps exhibiting aggressive behavior. To learn more about what puppy vets do, you may click here to continue.
2. Drooling and Licking Lips Repeatedly
Canines might drool excessively and repeatedly lick their lips when feeling dehydrated, hungry, or nervous about vet visits. Knowing the obvious causes for why your dog keeps licking their lips can be a clue that they’re feeling stressed and uncomfortable about something. If this behavior goes on for days and is making you worried, take your dog for a vet checkup in Citrus Heights, CA.
3. Loss of Appetite
Dogs enjoy eating, so it can be concerning when we notice their lack of appetite during mealtime. Sudden weight loss can sometimes indicate anxiety, stress, or underlying health issues. If your pet continues to exhibit this sign, take them to facilities like Family Friends Veterinary Hospital to identify and treat the condition behind their lack of appetite.
4. Pacing and Shaking
Like humans, dogs repeatedly pace or move in a wide circling manner when feeling stressed out. This is a sign of anxiousness or panic in general. You may also notice your dog trembling or shaking, which often stops when a stressor is gone.
5. Barking or Whining
Most dogs can’t manage their whining when stressed, and it’s like their automatic response due to their nature. In addition, this might also signify that something in their environment might be causing their anxiety. Barking is similar. Although they can’t always control it, they are trying to inform you they might be feeling stressed about something. However, it would still depend on the circumstance, as dogs might bark or grumble for other reasons.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’ve read the common stress signs in dogs, you’ll know when they feel irritable or uncomfortable. Being familiar with your pet’s regular temperaments can significantly differentiate stress signs from normal habits. If your companion keeps showing these signs despite your efforts, it’s always a good idea to take them to the vet for a quick examination and suggestions on how you can make them feel better.
