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Just like humans, dogs experience anxiety. While unpleasant, it’s a normal, even healthy emotion. Dog anxiety can affect all breeds, but may affect each individual dog differently. Although it’s something that all dogs experience from time to time, if disproportionate levels of anxiety are left unchecked, a dog can develop an anxiety disorder. If left untreated, it can develop into an anxiety disorder and lead to behavioral and other issues.
In This Article
How do you know if your dog has anxiety? What can you do to treat dog anxiety? We’re here to explain everything you need to know about dog anxiety — common causes, symptoms, and treatments.
What Causes Anxiety in Dogs?
Dog anxiety can have a variety of causes, but some of the most common causes of dog anxiety are fear, separation, and aging.
Fear-Related Anxiety
Numerous factors can cause fear-related anxiety in dogs, including:
- Loud noises
- Unfamiliar people or animals
- Visual stimuli, such as hats or umbrellas
- New or strange environments
- Specific situations, like visits to the vet or car rides
- Surfaces, such as grass or wood floors
Although some dogs may have only brief reactions to these kinds of stimuli, they may affect anxious dogs more severely.
Separation anxiety
Dogs who experience separation anxiety are often distressed when left alone or separated from their family members. Estimated to affect around 14% of dogs, separation anxiety often manifests itself in undesirable behaviors, such as:
Age-related anxiety
This form of anxiety affects older dogs and can be associated with cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS). In dogs with CDS, memory, learning, perception, and awareness start to decline, similar to the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease in humans. This understandably leads to confusion and anxiety in senior dogs.
Common Symptoms of Anxiety in Dogs
So how can you tell if your dog has anxiety? There are several important symptoms to look out for:
- Aggression
- Urinating or defecating in the house
- Drooling
- Panting
- Destructive behavior
- Depression
- Excessive barking
- Pacing
- Restlessness
- Repetitive or compulsive behaviors
Some of these symptoms may be the result of occasional anxiety-causing events, but any of these can become recurrent and, therefore, result in more serious issues. The most dangerous symptom of dog anxiety is aggression. It can be directed at people or animals, or triggered indirectly when someone steps between a dog and the source of its aggression. Even if a dog is prevented from harming others, aggressive behaviors such as growling or barking can lead to undesirable situations for humans and dogs, alike.
Urinating and defecating in the house is a common symptom of separation anxiety. Anxious dogs often work themselves up to the point that they pee or poop in the house, even if they’re housebroken. This can be frustrating for owners and damaging to property.
Destructive behavior is also common with separation anxiety. The damage usually occurs around entry and exit points, like doorways and windows. However, dogs in a state of heightened anxiety are also at risk of harming themselves. Attempts to break out of dog crates, windows, and even doors can result in painful injuries and expensive veterinary treatments.
Treating Dog Anxiety
The best way to treat anxiety is to talk with your veterinarian. They can identify the type of anxiety your dog suffers from, determine whether it’s situational or more serious, and rule out any underlying medical conditions.
Your veterinarian will help you develop a treatment plan. Since a variety of factors often cause excessive anxiety, the best way to treat it is usually through a combination of training, preventive strategies, and, in some cases, medications.
Training and Counterconditioning
There are several training strategies owners can use to treat dog anxiety. One way is counterconditioning. The purpose of counterconditioning is to change your dog’s response to the stimuli responsible for anxiety. With this training method, you’ll replace anxious or aggressive behavior with a more desirable one, such as sitting or focusing on the owner.
Another training strategy is desensitization. The owner slowly introduces the dog to the source of anxiety, preferably in small doses and at a decreased intensity. Repeated exposure and rewarding positive behavior can go a long way toward managing anxiety.
You might want to contact a professional dog trainer to help you choose the best approach for your dog, as training an anxious dog isn’t always easy.
Anxiety Medications for Dogs
If your dog develops a serious anxiety disorder, your veterinarian may recommend medications or natural therapies.
Veterinarians occasionally prescribe SSRIs and antidepressants, such as fluoxetine or clomipramine , for dogs with anxiety. For predictable anxiety-producing events like thunderstorms, fireworks, or car rides, your veterinarian might prescribe a medication such as diazepam (Valium) in conjunction with an antidepressant to help your dog cope with the stress.
Some natural therapies and products can help dogs with anxiety. Some products work best in conjunction with other medications, while others can be used alone, depending on your dog’s case. Natural products use pheromones and aromatherapy to reduce anxiety. Talk to your veterinarian about the natural products best suited for your dog.
Using CBD Oil for Dog Anxiety
Some dog owners have reported success in using CBD oil to treat dog anxiety. CBD is a compound found in cannabis and hemp that dog owners, as well as humans, have found useful for treating a variety of different health conditions.
It’s important to note that while many humans use CBD oil for anxiety treatment, there is limited data on how CBD oil affects dogs. If you’re considering using it as a treatment for your dog’s anxiety, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can help you determine whether CBD oil might be a good treatment option and discuss different products, possible side effects, and risks.
Can You Prevent Dog Anxiety?
It can be difficult to predict exactly what will make your dog anxious, and even more difficult to determine if your dog’s anxiety will develop into a more serious disorder. However, there are ways to help a dog or puppy avoid anxiety-related problems.
Body Language
One of the best things you can do is learn to read your dog’s body language. Knowing when your dog is uncomfortable or scared can help you avoid negative experiences or use them as a positive training moment. Body language can also tell you when a dog is getting anxious, which is especially useful if your dog has a history of aggression-related anxiety.
Common physical indicators of anxiety include:
- Panting
- Pacing
- Trembling or shaking
- Excessive drooling
Socialization
Proper socialization can prevent the development of anxiety. Introducing your dog to new people, dogs, animals, places, and experiences can help avoid an exaggerated response down the road. It also helps your dog become a well-adjusted canine citizen.
Obedience
Obedience training is an essential tool for preventing and managing dog anxiety. It lays the foundation of a healthy relationship and establishes trust. A well-trained dog is easier to socialize than an untrained dog. Plus, obedience classes are a great place for dogs to meet other dogs in a controlled environment.
Exercise and Nutrition
Regular exercise and stimulation are crucial for a dog’s physical and mental well-being. A stimulated dog is less likely to pick up destructive behaviors. Good nutrition is also important for your dog’s health. Taking care of your dog’s physical and mental needs can help you prevent behavior problems that don’t stem from anxiety and identify the areas where your dog needs the most help.
Situation Avoidance
If your dog has been diagnosed with anxiety issues, you can also try to avoid or prevent situations that trigger your dog’s anxiety. For example, if you know that your dog grows anxious around large groups of dogs, you should avoid dog parks. Avoidance doesn’t mean that you need to put your life on hold, but it can reduce some of the stress on you and your dog.
If you and your dog cannot avoid the source of the anxiety, preventive measures like leashes, body harnesses, and, in some cases, basket muzzles, can help prevent dangerous situations. Once you know your dog’s triggers, you can prepare for these situations in advance.
Dog Anxiety: The Bottom Line
Many dogs will experience anxiety at some point in their lives. While not every case leads to a diagnosable disorder, knowing the causes, symptoms, and treatment options can help you be a more prepared owner.
If you think your dog might have an anxiety issue, consult your veterinarian. They can provide a diagnosis, rule out other health issues, and help you develop a plan that fits your lifestyle.
This article is intended solely as general guidance, and does not constitute health or other professional advice. Individual situations and applicable laws vary by jurisdiction, and you are encouraged to obtain appropriate advice from qualified professionals in the applicable jurisdictions. We make no representations or warranties concerning any course of action taken by any person following or otherwise using the information offered or provided in this article, including any such information associated with and provided in connection with third-party products, and we will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages that may result, including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death.