Dogs are known as “man’s best friend” for good reason.
They are loyal, loving, and always happy to see us. However, dogs can also suffer from anxiety, just like people can. Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or fear that can be mild or strong and it is often accompanied by physical symptoms, such as a racing heart, sweating, and shakiness.
If you think that your dog may be struggling with anxiety, it’s important to be able to spot the signs so that you can get them the help they need. In this article, we will discuss six of the most common signs that a dog is anxious.
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1) Shivering
One of the main physical symptoms of anxiety in dogs is shivering. Of course, you might see your pup shaking for many reasons-after all, they play hard and can get pretty riled up!
However, if your dog has an anxious demeanor when there is little apparent reason to be afraid, chances are that they are suffering from some level of anxiety.
To be sure about this, you should visit your vet for a checkup. They will be able to rule out other potential health issues that may be causing the shivering. Once they’ve done this, if your dog is still shaking for no apparent reason, it is very likely that they are suffering from anxiety.
Oftentimes vets will recommend trazodone for dogs or some other anti-anxiety medication to help your dog feel better. However, make sure to listen to your vet’s instructions, as there are some things you should not do when giving your dog medication for anxiety.
2) Trembling and Panting
Another sign that a dog is anxious and afraid is trembling and panting.
Your pup may tremble even if they are not too cold, and they may pant even though it is not hot. If you notice your dog trembling or panting when there is no obvious reason for them to be afraid, anxiety may be the issue.
Again, this can often be treated with medication from a veterinarian; however, do not give your dog any medication without first consulting a vet! Besides medication, there are other options for treating anxiety in dogs that you should also consider. For example, some people give their dogs CBD oil for anxiety, which is a more natural solution.
3) Barking and Whining Excessively
Most dogs bark or whine occasionally, but if your pup barks or whines a lot, this may be a sign that they are anxious. Again, for this to be a true sign of anxiety in dogs, there should not be an obvious reason for them to feel threatened or afraid-no one is yelling at them or chasing after them!
A dog who barks or whines due to anxiety may also bark or whine for longer periods of time, as compared with a dog who barks or whines because it is their normal behavior. This is especially true if your dog spends some time alone during the day.
This is known as separation anxiety. You could try shutting your dog in a room with their favorite toy or blanket to help calm them down. If it is not normal barking and whining, then there may be an underlying anxiety issue that you will want to treat as soon as possible. In this case, it may be best to speak with a vet before trying other options on your own.
4) Self-Harming Behavior
Anxiety in dogs can often drive them to self-harm. If your dog has anxiety, they may feel the need to constantly lick or chew at themselves or their bedding. This is because anxiety causes excess amounts of stress and tension (physical feelings), which must be released somehow (like through licking, chewing, etc).
While this behavior may be harmless, it can still be a sign of anxiety in dogs. In this case, consulting a veterinarian is always recommended because they may know how to help your pup! In the meantime, however, if your dog continues to self-harm despite other efforts to address their anxious feelings, then medications may be necessary.
5) Urinating More Frequently
Sometimes anxiety in dogs manifests itself through urinating more frequently. If your dog has never had a problem with anxiety before and suddenly becomes anxious, they may also start having accidents here and there or urinate more frequently than normal.
Usually, this is because your pup is so anxious that they feel the need to release tension somehow-and one very effective way to do this is by going to the bathroom. If your dog starts wetting themselves more frequently, then there may be an underlying anxiety issue that you will want to address as soon as possible.
Also, any change in a behavior pattern, like suddenly urinating more frequently than normal, should be treated as a sign of anxiety in dogs and an opportunity to address the issue.
6) Excessive Grooming to the Point of Hair Loss
Another common manifestation of dog anxiety is excessive or compulsive grooming.
If your pup suddenly starts spending a lot of time grooming themselves or their bed, then this is a sign that they may be anxious.
If you have two dogs and one starts excessively licking or grooming the other, this is another sign that your dog may be anxious. In many cases of excessive grooming to prevent anxiety, it can lead to injury as well as dandruff-like flaking to the point where you can see scabs forming.
Anxiety in dogs is a common problem that can manifest itself in many different ways. Shivering, whining, and self-harm are just some of the ways that anxiety can manifest itself in dogs. If your dog suddenly starts exhibiting these signs, then it may be anxious.
Remember: if you think your pup may be anxious, then it is important to visit with a veterinarian or reliable source to learn more about the best way to help them. Hopefully, with your help, they can lead a happy and healthy life, despite their anxiety issues.
Last Updated on January 19, 2022 by Shepped Team
