Is Your Dog Suffering From an Anxiety Disorder?

Anxiety is something we’ve all experienced from time to time, and it’s safe to say it can be a rough ride. But did you know that your dog can suffer from anxiety too?

Just as we experience anxiety differently and have certain triggers that bring it on, dogs go through a similar experience. Certain breeds are more inclined to suffer than others, or it can develop as a result of their environment, or environmental changes. In some cases, Fido’s anxiety goes away after a while, but in others, it needs a helping hand.

If you think your dog is suffering from anxiety, look at what we have to say on the subject. Your pet may be feeling the pressure, and there’s something you can do about it!

Causes Of Anxiety

A wide range of factors can cause anxiety, but the most common are separation, fear, and aging.

Fear anxiety is often brought on by:

• Loud noises
• Unfamiliar animals or people
• Unfamiliar visual stimuli
• Unfamiliar environments
• Riding in the car
• Going to the vet
• Certain surfaces and textures

Some dogs may only experience it for a brief moment, while others suffer more severely.

Research has shown that separation anxiety affects between 20 to 40% percent of dogs. These dogs battle to remain calm when their families are not home, leading to undesirable behavior that’s not the norm.

Older dogs with cognitive dysfunction syndrome often experience age-related anxiety. As their memory deteriorates and other cognitive functions decline, this can lead to confusion and stress.

The Symptoms Of Dog Anxiety

Some of the most common and obvious symptoms include:

• Aggression
• Peeing and pooping in the house
• Destructive behavior
• Panting
• Drooling
• Barking
• Pacing
• Compulsive behaviors
• Restlessness
• Depression

Reoccurring symptoms indicate a more serious problem. Aggression is arguably one of the worst symptoms, as your dog may become violent towards people and other animals—including your family. They can direct the aggression towards the source of anxiety, or to an indirect source that’s in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Pooping and peeing in the house occurs when the dog becomes so worked up that they may have an accident or two, even if they’ve been house trained. It can cause frustration between the owner and their pet, which can further aggravate the issue.

Destruction can be rife when you have a dog (especially if it’s a teething puppy!), but it can become more extreme with separation anxiety. Digging and chewing are very common signs, but clawing or scratching at doors or windows incessantly can also be a sign.

Treating Pet Anxiety

The best course of action is to discuss your concerns with your vet. They can help you find the cause of the anxiety, and what triggers it. This will make it easier to develop a treatment plan. It can also rule out any other illnesses and disorders that may have similar symptoms.

 The most commonly used treatment methods include training, medication, and avoiding triggers.

Training your dog can involve different strategies. Counterconditioning can change the way your dog responds to certain stimuli, and you can reward good behavior to reinforce it. Desensitization is another effective method, where the owner gradually exposes the dog to the trigger until it no longer creates a reaction.

A vet may prescribe medication to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression in the same way it does for humans. Just please don’t give your dog human medication, it’s not safe!

More recently, pet CBD oils and treats have become a popular option with those looking for a more holistic way to treat the issue. Using CBD for pets is still very new, but the initial results have shown to be quite successful in treating stress, and in managing pain.

Preventing Pet Anxiety

It can be tricky to figure out what’s causing your dog’s anxiety, but there are things you can do to prevent it from becoming a problem.

The first thing that you need to learn is to read your dog's body language to determine its likes and dislikes. Socialization can help your dog become used to strange people, animals, and environments. This will help them feel more comfortable when out and about, and will also indicate areas that your pet may be uncomfortable with.

Obedience training can help you build a trusting, healthy relationship with your dog that will make them feel more secure, even when you’re not there. Of course, as with people, proper exercise and a healthy diet will do wonders for your dog’s overall wellbeing too.

Pet anxiety is a manageable condition, you just need to pay attention to what could be triggering it. Once you’ve pinpointed the problem, you can work towards making your canine companion feel safe, secure, and tail-wagging happy once more!