Since pets can not talk, they communicate with their human parents using their body language, so it is essential to understand what they are trying to tell behind their gestures. Learning the way your pet communicates can help in reducing their anxiety and prevent unwanted circumstances from occurring.
Are you worried that your dog might be stressed? We’ll discuss 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 out. As a dog parent, it’s your responsibility to identify the signs of anxiety in your pet so you can react immediately and make them feel secure and comfortable in their environment. The symptoms of stress in pets can often be subtle, so it’s important to be observant.
Below are five common indications of stress in canines:
1. Pacing and Shaking
Like humans, dogs repeatedly pace or move in a wide circling manner when feeling stressed. This is a sign of nervousness or panic in general. You may also see your pet trembling or shaking, which often stops when a stressor is gone.
2. Loss of Appetite
Dogs enjoy eating, so noticing their lack of appetite during mealtime can be distressing. Sudden weight loss can sometimes indicate anxiety, stress, or underlying health issues. If your pet continues to show this sign, take them to a vet lab immediately to identify and treat the condition behind their lack of appetite. You may see this page for detailed information on their diagnostic services.
3. Barking or Whining
Most dogs can’t control their whining when stressed, and it’s like their automatic response due to their nature. In addition, this might also indicate that something in their environment might be causing their anxiety. Barking is similar. Although they can not always control it, they’re trying to inform 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.
4. Aggression
Aggressive behavior towards other animals and people is a typical sign of sickness or stress in dogs. If you observe your dog becoming agitated, this might signify an underlying condition. This is usually accompanied by angry, tense facial expressions and fearful body posture.
Puppy fear usually leads to aggression, which can be fixed with punishment-free obedience training and positive reinforcement. Addressing this behavior in young pets is extremely important to prevent stressful veterinary visits when you take them for preventive care. Animal facilities like Family Friends Veterinary Hospital can provide tailored instructions if your companion keeps showing aggressive behavior.
5. Drooling and Licking Lips Repeatedly
Dogs might drool excessively and repeatedly lick their lips when feeling dehydrated, hungry, or anxious about vet visits. Knowing the obvious causes for why your pet keeps licking their lips can indicate that they’re feeling stressed and uncomfortable about something. If this behavior goes on for days and is making you worried, take your pet to the vet for an examination. You may visit their website to see their pet checkup services.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’ve read the common stress signs in canines, you’ll know when they feel irritable or uncomfortable. Recognizing your pet’s regular demeanors can significantly differentiate stress signs from normal behaviors. If your companion keeps showing these signs despite your efforts, it is always a good idea to take them to the veterinarian for a quick checkup and recommendations on how to make them feel better.
