Raising awareness about dog anxiety during Stress Awareness Month
April marks Stress Awareness Month, dedicated to highlighting the causes of stress and helping individual to find ways to manage it. While stress is commonly associated with humans, it is important to recognise that animals, including dogs, can also experience stress. Anxiety in dogs can vary greatly depending on factors such as breed, environment, past experiences, and individual temperament. By understanding this, individuals can better support their canine companions' emotional well-being.
“Understanding the type of anxiety your dog is experiencing is essential, so you can help them manage it in the best way for your dog” says James Whitten, Marketing Manager at petGuard.
In recognition of Stress Awareness Month, leading pet insurer petGuard sheds light on anxiety in dogs to help dog owners understand the signs and how to help their canine companions feel better.
What is dog separation anxiety?
Dogs can experience many forms of stress and anxiety, however separation anxiety is amongst the most common. In fact, 50% of dogs are likely to experience separation anxiety at least once in their life. Dogs are loyal creatures, and they love spending time in the company of their owners. If a dog follows the owner from each room, scratches at windows and doors, whines, barks, or chews things that they shouldn’t when they are left alone, then these may be signs of separation anxiety.
Much like people, dogs form strong bonds. It’s not fully understood why some dogs suffer more from separation anxiety and other dogs are perfectly fine in their own company, but as an owner, it is important to understand and manage their emotions. If a dog is barking, whining or even urinating when they’re left alone, remember that this isn’t them misbehaving. It may be that their anxiety is triggering a panic response and that they just feel lonely.
What are the signs of anxiety in dogs?
There are many signs that can show a dog is experiencing stress and anxiety. Dogs can experience anxiety from 14 weeks old and their initial experiences with other dogs can impact them.
Repetitive behaviours
If a dog is panting constantly and demonstrating repetitive behaviours, this could be a sign of anxiety, along with drooling, shaking, placing their tail between their legs, hiding and licking their lips regularly.
Urinating
If a dog is toilet trained and changes their usual toilet routine and begins going in different spots in the house, this could also be a sign they are feeling stressed.
Changing behaviour
Similar to humans, dogs will often try to remove themselves from situations that make them anxious. It's important to closely observe the dog's behaviour when visitors are present in the home.
“Much like treating anxiety in people, it can be hard to cure anxiety in dogs. Every dog is different and there is no foolproof method to make your dog’s anxiety go away” warns Whitten.
Read more about dog stress and anxiety on:
https://www.petguard.co.uk/dog-separation-anxiety
ENDS