- Dr. Carolina Fabelo
- Apr 26
- 7 min read
Updated: Sep 23
Do you have an anxious dog? Would you know how to recognize anxiety in your dog? How can you help your pet combat the symptoms and issues related to her anxiety?
What is Anxiety in Dogs?
Anxiety is a common problem for many dogs. As a pet owner, it’s important to learn how to help your dog deal with anxiety so they can feel better and live a content life as well. In the article below, we’ll explore some of the signs of anxiety in dogs and help you get some ideas for treating and managing the issue, too. Read on to find out more.
Signs of Anxiety in Dogs
Listed below are the main signs to look out for:
Whining can indicate anxiety in dogs
Whining can be a symptom of anxiety, especially if it occurs during situations when your dog is already feeling anxious. However, whining may also sometimes indicate pain, so it’s important to differentiate between the two possible causes of this symptom.
Is your dog hiding? It could be anxiety
Hiding is another potential sign of anxiety that may also be linked with pain and/or discomfort. Examples include, hiding when they hear fireworks/ storms, when someone new comes to your home, or other new changes to their environment. Again, keep in mind, this behavior may also be associated with pain.
Bathroom accidents may be a sign of anxiety in dogs
Bathroom accidents in otherwise house-trained dogs are some of the most common signs of canine anxiety. If your dog has separation anxiety and is left alone, for example, she may urinate or defecate on the floor due to her anxiety. If these symptoms happen in non-anxiety situations, they may indicate a health problem instead.
Destructive behavior is an indicator of canine anxiety
Destructive behavior, like potty accidents, are more likely to happen during a triggering event that is causing your dog’s anxiety. Some dogs may become very destructive and chew up furniture or items in the home when left alone as a symptom of separation anxiety, for example.
Pacing can mean your dog is anxious
Pacing often indicates anxiety in dogs, although it can also be associated with pain in some cases. Pacing may occur during or shortly after the event that causes your dog to feel anxious. When the event has passed, your dog will likely stop pacing if anxiety is the cause of this symptom.
Clingy behavior? Your dog may have anxiety
Dogs with nervous and anxious behavior may become clingy toward their human family members. If your dog is in a situation where they feel unsafe, they may want to sit on or near you all the times because of their anxiety.
Causes of Anxiety in Dogs
There are many reasons that dogs experience anxiety. Here, we'll cover the most common causes. Once you determine the cause, you and your vet can create a plan to mitigate the problem. If signs and symptoms progress, see your emergency vet at VEG, who can treat symptoms immediately and give advice on how to help your dog through their bouts with anxiety.
Some reasons for a dog's anxiety are:
Pain
Dementia (canine cognitive dysfunction)
Separation anxiety
Changes to routine
Holiday stress
We'll dive into each of these, but understand that there could be other reasons for the cause of your dog's condition. It's best to get them checked at your primary care veterinarian or bring them to your nearest VEG emergency vet hospital if anxiety symptoms are increasing and can be harmful to your dog.
Pain can cause anxiety in dogs
A common cause for stress and anxiety in dogs is when they're experiencing pain. Whether it's from an injury or illness, or long-term ailment, pain in your dog's body can trigger anxiety, from mild to extreme.
When assessing if the cause of your dog's anxiety is due to pain, consider if your dog has been previously diagnosed with the following:
Dental issues
Diabetes
Gastrointestinal problems
Inflammation
Joint problems
Neurological issues
Dementia can cause anxiety in dogs
Canine cognitive dysfunction is similar to dementia or Alzheimer's disease in humans. It can create anxiety in your dog, as well as moments of confusion. If you think your dog may have dog dementia, see your primary care vet, who can examine your dog, determine course of treatment, and rule out other conditions.
Separation anxiety in dogs is real
On weekends or during the summer, your dog probably gets more attention and play time with you. Then Monday rolls around or the kids head back to school, and your dog doesn't understand why everyone is too busy to give all the cuddles and attention they're used to.
Being separated from you or other members of the family can create anxiety or and lead to behavioral problems. For example, a dog with separation anxiety may chew on furniture and shoes, scratch at the rug, and paw at the door.
Your primary care veterinarian can provide tips on how to cope with separation anxiety. If your dog is destructive, you'll want to consider a veterinary behavioralist, who can work to ease your dog's anxiety. As always, if your dog is harming themselves or relieving themselves indoors while you are away, a visit to VEG's emergency hospital can help. We'll make sure there are no underlying conditions and talk to you about ways to calm your pup.
Changes to your dog's routine
A change of seasons, vacations, back-to-school time, and more events can shift routines like feeding time and nap time for your pets. Remember, you dog doesn't understand that things have changed in their family's world. All a dog knows is that things aren't the same, and symptoms of anxiety can crop up.
Holiday stress in your dog: parties and guests can trigger anxiety
The holidays come with unfamiliar decor around the home that your dog now needs to navigate around. You may be shooing your dog away from a treasured display, but to your dog, this can be confusing.
Whether it’s the Halloween decor, the big Christmas tree or the doorbell ringing in new or familiar faces… all play a part in stirring up stress in your dog. Remember that your beloved pup doesn't understand that it's the holidays; they only know that things are out of place or new to their domain. Below are some tips that can help your pup get through what they're feeling.
How to calm your dog's anxiety during the holidays:
Set up a quiet room for your dog
Make your dog's safe space complete with a white noise machine or TV with the volume not too loud, but enough to help drown out other sounds.
Keep your dog's favorite blanket and toys in the room
The texture and scent of their favorite things will help to calm and comfort them.
Approach changes slowly
Introduce new decorations and house guests to your dog at a pace that doesn’t stimulate their senses all at once. Set boundaries as you add items to your decor so your dog understands how to navigate around the house during the holidays without getting overwhelmed by sudden changes.
Exercise their body and brain
Consider bringing your dog on a nice long walk earlier in the day and/or provide a mentally stimulating toy so your pet’s pent up energy is released, helping them stay calmer.
Check in with your dog
Throughout the party or event, visit with your dog in their quiet space. Don't linger too long otherwise they'll think something is wrong or expect you to stay with them. Simply peek in, use a calming tone when saying hello, give some your pup cuddles, then pop back out. Doing this throughout your event reassures them of your presence and helps create a sense of routine and understanding that you will return.
Treatment for Anxiety in Dogs
Listed below are the main treatment methods:
Mental Stimulation Helps with Dog's Anxiety
Mental stimulation is one of the best ways to help your dog feel less anxious most of the time. You may provide mental stimulation for your dog by giving them puzzle toys, or treat toys to solve, or by playing with them interactively. When your dog is mentally stimulated to solve puzzles and problems, they will redirect their focus on the sources of their anxiety in their everyday life.
Physical Exercise for Dogs Eases Anxiety
Like mental stimulation, physical exercise can go a long way toward helping your dog combat anxiety. With adequate physical exercise, they are more likely to be calmer in situations that may cause anxiety, such as less destructive behavior and potty accidents, for example.
Professional Training Can Help Anxious Dogs
Professional training is a great resource where your dog’s anxiety cannot be managed at home. A very anxious dog may become destructive, aggressive, and may develop too much dependency on human family members. You can help your dog behave better and recover from her severe anxiety symptoms by working with a professionally experienced dog trainer, while maintaining a healthy pet-human bond.
Practice Situations Can Help Dog's Anxiety
Practicing situations that cause anxiety for your dog can help desensitize them, but it is important to work very slowly. For example, if your dog has separation anxiety, start by leaving them alone for just five or ten minutes and rewarding them with lots of treats when you return.
Medication for Dog's Anxiety
Finally, if your dog’s anxiety is severe, causing your pet self-physical harm, and/or if you cannot get it under control with other methods on this list, your vet may recommend medication. Medication is typically a last resort, but your vet can give you more information about this option for your pet.
Contact VEG Emergency Vet Hospital if Your Dog Has Anxiety
Although it is impossible to completely cure anxiety in your dog, you can help them manage their condition successfully by trying the methods outlined in the article above.
If you do suspect that your dog has anxiety, don’t hesitate to call VEG. We have locations all over the country that are open 24/7 to help. You can speak directly with an emergency vet who will provide advice on your pet’s condition.
