Written in collaboration with vets
Dog anxiety can be common, but frequent or extreme nervousness can negatively impact your dog’s overall health, behaviour, and wellbeing. Whilst occasional anxiety from certain situations is to be expected, ongoing stress or fear needs addressing in order to keep your four-legged friend happy and well. Dog anxiety symptoms can vary, and triggers can be very specific to each pet's personality, which is why it can be tricky for some dog owners to recognise or understand. In this article, we’ll look at common causes of anxiety in dogs, exploring symptoms and what to look out for, as well as giving practical advice for tried and tested puppy anxiety and dog anxiety treatments. This will help dog owners to recognise the early signs, to support your pet, and consider when to seek further help from your vet.
Anxiety is a natural emotion for dogs to feel sometimes, and can happen as a result of many different experiences. When it comes to anxiety in dogs, symptoms and triggers can also vary between individuals. Here are some of the common causes of adult dog or puppy anxiety:
Recognising the possible causes of dog anxiety can be helpful for early intervention, which is key to helping support and reassure your pet. Untreated anxiety can lead to destructive behaviours, stress-related health problems, and reduced quality of life for your dog.
Every dog has their own unique personality, so anxiety will present itself differently in each of them. Alongside vocal cues, the most common dog anxiety symptoms to look out for are:
For some personalities, anxiety in dogs can present with sudden symptoms of aggression. Anxious dogs may growl, snap, or bite when they feel threatened or overwhelmed. This defensive behaviour can be a response to fear, stress, or insecurity. Being able to recognise specific anxiety-driven aggression is vital in addressing the root cause, in order to avoid certain situations and encourage your dog to feel calm.
Some dogs show destructive behaviour when they’re anxious or stressed, such as chewing furniture, scratching at doors, or digging. Some owners particularly notice this when their dog is left alone or has a lack of stimulation. It’s important to know that this may not be mischievous behaviour, but a coping strategy for puppy anxiety or adult dog insecurity, and may be your pet’s way of showing you they are unhappy. By recognising this, you can help to manage their stress whilst protecting your home or garden from damage.
Incontinence can be a red flag when it comes to dog anxiety symptoms, particularly if a house-trained dog suddenly starts to urinate or defecate indoors. Extreme fear or stress can cause dogs to lose control of their urinary or bowel movements, so it’s important not to scold your pet if they have accidents, as this can heighten their anxiety. It can also be a sign of illness in dogs, which is why it’s best to take them to the vet for a checkup. Knowing that this may be a symptom of anxiety, rather than disobedience, can help you respond appropriately and seek a solution.
One of the lesser-known anxiety in dogs symptoms includes drooling more than usual. Although some drooling is common, excessive salivation in certain situations may be your dog’s way of coping with long journeys, with loud noises, or new people. It’s best to visit your vet first to rule out any tooth problems or mouth injuries. Fear or anxiety-related drooling may be accompanied by other signs of stress, or your dog may seem quieter than usual, and looking for these subtle signs can help you identify the underlying emotional trigger.
Another dog anxiety symptom is sudden or increased panting. We all know dogs normally do this to cool down, but if they’re not exercising or it’s not particularly warm, it can be a sign that they’re feeling uncertain. Anxiety-related panting, with rapid, shallow breathing, may be accompanied by restless movements or your dog pacing up and down. By keeping an eye out for this unusual behaviour, you can help to create a calmer environment for your pet.
Some dogs show anxiety by being quiet, withdrawn, distracted, less keen to play, unwilling to go for a walk, or disinterested in food or people. Whilst low mood could also indicate a health condition, which is why it’s important to consult your vet, an emotional slump may also be caused by ongoing fear, stress, or nervousness. By spotting low mood in your dog early on, you can take steps to address it and help them feel reassured.
Sudden restlessness can be one of the more common anxiety in dogs symptoms. Your dog may run in circles, dig, pace up and down, be agitated, chew, or struggle to settle. An inability to relax can be caused by separation anxiety, strange environments or new routines, and loud or unusual noises. By recognising restlessness as an anxiety symptom, you may be able to avoid certain situations, manage their feelings of stress, and help your dog to feel calmer.
Common signs of stress, particularly with puppy anxiety, can include dogs wanting to hide away. They may retreat under the bed, cower in corners, or duck behind furniture to escape something that’s stressing them – such as fireworks, new people or animals, or a change in routine. Recognising hiding as a fear response helps dog owners to address the cause and create a safe, reassuring environment.
If you feel your dog is suffering from excessive anxiety, the best course of action is to consult a vet first. They will be able to help you identify the causes of your dog’s anxiety and give guidance on preventing this. They will also be able to help you determine if the anxiety is linked to any medical conditions that may be causing your pet distress.
After you’ve ruled out illness or injury, dog anxiety treatment starts with recognising the triggers and managing the situation through a mix of avoidance and reassurance. Effective dog anxiety treatment involves:
It’s important for owners to recognise the early signs of anxiety in their dog, and use gentle dog training techniques involving positive reinforcement to help them manage external or environmental stress. It’s also vital to provide time for rest, and regular social interaction, as well as ensuring regular veterinary care and the correct nutrition to support overall wellbeing.
The best way to calm an anxious dog will depend on their personality, as well as the cause of the stress itself. Separation anxiety is a common cause of stress, which is why the best dog anxiety treatment for this scenario involves observing and gentle training to encourage your dog to feel comfortable when they are left alone for slowly-increasing amounts of time. It also requires a ‘safe space’ for your pet to relax and feel reassured, as well as providing stimulation for them when you’re not there, such as puzzle toys, calming music, and other ways to help keep them occupied or distracted. These techniques can also help with new environments, new people, and house moves. If your dog becomes anxious with loud noises, their safe space plus cooling mats, white noise, calming aids, supplements, or medications can all help. And all anxious dogs will benefit from positive reinforcement training, mental and physical stimulation, relaxation exercises, familiar toys, and consistent, predictable routines to reduce stress, avoid unwanted behaviour, and improve their overall health and wellbeing.
Anxious dogs need a calm and consistent routine, exercise, plenty of mental stimulation, and gentle training to help them feel safe and secure. You can reduce stress by giving them a safe space, or try pheromone diffusers, calm music, cooling mats, or puzzle toys to help reassure them.
Dogs can become anxious from loud noises, separation anxiety, changes in routine, new pets or people, or pain and illness. Try to work out the cause to help reassure them. It’s best to consult your vet to rule out health issues, then offer gentle reward-based training to help soothe stress.
Leaving dogs alone for long periods, a lack of socialisation, changes in routine, strict training regimes, punishments, or insufficient mental and physical stimulation can make dogs anxious. Dogs are perceptive and can also pick up on human emotions, which is why they need a calm, safe space, company, and reassurance.
