Canine Anxiety & Stress

Canines can suffer from anxiety and stress, just like humans.

Canine anxiety and stress needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Anxiety and stress can cause emotional and physical health problems in a dog, making prompt treatment important to the overall health of the dog.

Anxious Breeds

Certain breeds of dogs are known for having anxiety issues. These can include German shepherds, Dalmatians, Great Danes, Bassett hounds and several terrier breeds.

Signs

Dogs show stress with repeated behaviors. These can include shaking, scratching, growling, biting, hiding, acting shy, refusing to eat, vomiting or keeping their tail between their legs.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing canine anxiety will need to be done by a veterinarian. Write down the behaviors exhibited by the dog. Add information about what happened prior to the behavior.

Potential

Using the notes and running some tests will help the vet to determine if the dog has an anxiety problem.

Treatment

Canine anxiety and stress can be treated in various ways. Behavior modification, medications, natural remedies, and music or hug therapy are just a few of the treatment options.

References

• Natural Pet Health: Signs of Stress in Dogs
• Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue: Thunderstorm Phobia
• The Dog Health Guide: Anxiety Symptom in Dog