Even if your dog is the cheeriest one in every room, it’s also normal for them to feel stressed from time to time.

But when they’re stressed for longer periods of time, their risk of developing anxiety also increases. In such cases, it may be harder to treat your dog.

There are many reasons your dog could be stressed. These include loud noises like fireworks, tire explosions, and thunderstorms or exposure to new environments.

Luckily, there are many telltale signs your dog could be feeling tense. Although many of these can be confused for normal behaviour, it helps to observe your dog thoroughly when these habits occur.

Here are 5 of the most common signs to watch out for:

1. Shedding

   Just as hair loss can be a side effect of stress in humans, shedding can also be an indicator of stress in dogs. Shedding is a normal process to keep your pup’s skin and coat healthy.

   
   

   But if you notice excess shedding as soon as you get to the vet’s office or when you take your furbaby out for a car ride, it could be a case of nerves.

   
   

2. Yawning

   You might have caught your dog yawning because they were bored or tired, but did you know they could also be feeling anxious? Excessive yawning can signal that your dog’s feeling fearful or stressed.

   
   

   Try to observe your dog’s yawns in contrast to their body language. If they lick their lips often, look away a lot, or have their eyes wide open, they might be telling you they’re feeling tense.

   
   

3. Pacing

   Normally, dogs pace when they’re excited about something or waiting for you to get home. But this behaviour usually stops after a short period of time.

   
   

   If your dog paces for longer periods than they normally would or if they’re unable to stop the activity, they could be in distress.

   
   

4. Drooling

   Some dogs, especially breeds like Saint Bernards, Newfoundlands, Bloodhounds, and Mastiffs, drool more than others. It’s perfectly normal for any kind of dog to drool whether a little or a lot.

   
   

   Even if your dog doesn’t normally drool, they could exhibit this behaviour if they’re anxious. Excessive drooling, accompanied by other signs like panting and trembling are big indicators of nervousness.

   
   

5. Compulsive Behaviour

   Dogs may display repetitive behaviours like spinning, chasing their tails, excessive licking of surfaces or objects, or barking when they’re under stress.

   
   

   These behaviours may sprout from their experiences with their immediate environment, separation anxiety, or aggression from other dogs in the family.

So as a fur parent, how can you care for your fur child when they’re under loads of stress?

• Limit the exposure to stressful situations

  Once you’ve figured out what’s been making your dog anxious, try to remove the stressor. If it’s a healthy habit they’re afraid of, introduce them slowly to new routines.

• Avoid making abrupt changes to your dog’s routine

  Dogs aren’t the biggest fans of change especially when these changes happen overnight. Try to do one very small new thing at a time. Make sure to show your dog you’re with them every step of the way.

  
  

• Reward your dog when training

  Dogs learn to associate receiving treats when they’ve done something good, and vice versa. Give them a healthy all-natural treat when you’re training them.

  
  

Here at Pet Snacks we offer 100% all-natural treats & chews that will help ease your furkid’s feelings when they’re going through ‘ruff’ days.  

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