Dogs can become stressed because they are bored, frustrated, scared or anxious. You may also be feeling a bit stressed by the coronavirus restrictions in place. For many dogs, being around a stressed family member will be enough to affect them, as dogs can sense when things aren't quite right.
Dog Anxiety Causes
Here are a few common causes of dog anxiety symptoms: Fear: Everyone has fears and phobias, and dogs are no different. Sometimes dogs are frightened of new situations and stimuli, like a visit to the groomer or vet. Others may have more ingrained phobias, like loud cars or slick flooring.
The dog breeds that are more likely to have this problem are the German Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Jack Russell Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bichon Frise, Toy Poodle, Labrador Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, and German Shorthaired Pointer.
Common symptoms of anxiety include increased vigilance, drooling, panting, restlessness, compulsive behavior, changes in sleep patterns, more barking than usual, urinating or defecating indoors, destructive behavior, and depression.
It has been shown that when an excess of cortisol enters the body due to a stressful event, it can take up to 72 hours for levels to return to a 'normal'.
Many dogs experience a combination of motion sickness and travel anxiety, since nausea can make travel stressful to them. So it's important to address motion sickness in addition to dog anxiety in cars.
Keep them calm, controlled and short. In fact, it would help your dog if you ignore her for 15 minutes before you leave and for 15 minutes after you get home. It is also advisable that you learn the signs of your dog's anxiety (whining, trembling, not eating, panting, pacing, ears back etc.).
When alone, the animal exhibits anxiety or excessive distress behaviors. Most fears, phobias, and anxieties develop at the onset of social maturity, from 12 to 36 months of age. A profound form of fear and withdrawal of unknown cause occurs at 8 to 10 months of age.
Dogs can become anxious for different reasons. Three specific types of anxiety are separation anxiety, former rescue (or shelter) dog anxiety, and illness-induced anxiety. A dog can also have general anxiety.
Dogs that experience any number of these symptoms may start to have panic attacks. Panic attacks can last from minutes to hours, and can involve any number of the above symptoms.
Dogs can have a pathological anxiety response to any stimulus with which they have had a very significant negative past experience. Again, the dog's behavior may range from a violent, panicked attempt to escape, to constant panting and pacing, or severe trembling and shutting down.
Melatonin may help pets stay calm in the short-term (e.g., for a planned car trip or before a thunderstorm) or can help them sleep better. L-theanine and L-tryptophan supplements are also commonly recommended by veterinarians to help with mild to moderate anxiety, says Dr. Coates.
Benzodiazepines (Alprazolam, diazepam)
The most common drug of choice for dogs is alprazolam. Benzodiazepines are medications that often have a sedative effect on dogs. They have a short half-life and therefore a better used for acute anxious episodes or to complement the effects of fluoxetine or clomipramine.
Excessive Sleeping
Lethargy is usual one of the first and most common symptoms of stress and anxiety in dogs.
Research has shown that simply petting a dog lowers the stress hormone cortisol , while the social interaction between people and their dogs actually increases levels of the feel-good hormone oxytocin (the same hormone that bonds mothers to babies).
The most common behaviors are elimination (i.e., urination and/or bowel movements), destruction and excessive vocalization (i.e., barking, crying). Pet owners may also observe excessive panting and/or pacing. Separation anxiety is the most common specific anxiety in companion dogs.
Dog experts claimed anxiety in dogs is a sign of emotional intelligence.
Dogs that experience any number of these symptoms may start to have panic attacks. Panic attacks can last from minutes to hours, and can involve any number of the above symptoms.
Excessive Sleeping
Lethargy is usual one of the first and most common symptoms of stress and anxiety in dogs.
The good news is that it is possible to help your dog recover to some degree from past trauma. Your dog will probably always be a little more nervous than other dogs, but with time and patience, you can give them a much better quality of life.
Sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are another stress-reducing food you may consider adding to a dog's diet. Starchy vegetables packed with goodness, sweet potatoes boast those body-calming antioxidants as well as beta-carotene, fiber and vitamins B-6 and C, all beneficial for a dog's digestive system.