Since dogs cannot talk, they communicate to their human parents using their body language, so it’s essential to understand what they’re trying to tell behind their gestures. Learning the way your dog communicates can aid in reducing their anxiety and prevent unwanted situations from occurring.
Are you worried that your dog might be stressed? We’ll discuss several warning signs to watch out for to help you act proactively.
Could Your Dog Be Stressed?
Like people, our furry buddies 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 safe and comfortable 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 canines:
1. Loss of Appetite
Dogs love to eat, 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 a vet lab immediately to diagnose and treat the condition behind their lack of appetite. You may browse the web to read more info on common vet diagnostic services.
2. Aggression
Aggressive behavior towards other animals and people is a common sign of sickness or stress in dogs. If you observe your dog becoming agitated, this might signal an underlying condition. This is usually accompanied by angry, tense facial expressions and fearful body posture.
Puppy fear often leads to aggression, which can be corrected with punishment-free obedience training and positive reinforcement. Addressing this behavior in young pets is extremely important to prevent stressful vet visits when you take them for preventive care. A kitten vet can provide tailored recommendations if your companion keeps exhibiting aggressive behavior.
3. Pacing and Shaking
Like humans, dogs repeatedly pace or move in a wide circling manner when feeling stressed. This is an indicator of nervousness or panic in general. You may also notice your dog trembling or shaking, which often stops when a stressor is gone.
4. Drooling and Licking Lips Repeatedly
Dogs may drool excessively and repeatedly lick their lips when hungry, feeling dehydrated, or nervous about vet visits. Once you know the obvious causes for why your dog keeps licking their lips, it 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 to facilities like Family Friends Veterinary Hospital for a checkup.
5. Barking or Whining
Most dogs can’t control their whining when stressed, and it’s like their automatic response due to their nature. Furthermore, this may also signal that something in their environment might be causing their anxiety. Barking is similar. Although they can’t always control it, they’re trying to tell you they might be feeling stressed about something. However, it would still depend on the situation, as dogs might bark or whine for other reasons.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’ve read the common stress signs in dogs, you’ll be aware of when they’re feeling irritable or uncomfortable. Being familiar with your pet’s regular demeanors can significantly differentiate stress signs from normal behaviors. 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 checkup and recommendations on how you can make them feel better.
