The word “stress” is frequently used to refer to pressure or strain. The causes of stress are exceedingly varied. Perhaps your job is making you anxious, you get anxious when you meet new people, or your daily routine is disrupted.
You can find comfort in a variety of ways to lower your stress levels. Perhaps you find comfort in the company of a reliable friend. Perhaps when engaged in mundane tasks like cleaning the house, you experience stress relief. Or maybe you blow off some steam with physical exercise.
Our dogs can become stressed too. Knowing how stress affects us, we want to do everything in our power to help our pets feel less stressed. The signs of anxiety in dogs are frequently subtle; however, our dogs do not express their feelings, slam the phone or throw a tantrum, so how can we tell they are stressed? In fact, some stress-related behaviors mimic normal behaviors.
4 Surprising Signs of Stress in Dogs
Common signs of stress in dogs include pacing, panting, vocalizing, and seeking out their owner’s attention, says Dr. Wailani Sung, a certified veterinary behaviorist for the San Francisco SPCA. However, dogs may also show stress in unusual, surprising, or unexpected ways. “The dogs are exhibiting displacement behavior,” Sung explains. “They are stressed and need an outlet for their nervous energy, and it may manifest in unusual activity or behavior.”
According to Beaver, here are some of the indications that your dog is stressed out. Stress can cause negative side effects and other health issues if your dog’s symptoms are ignored or not treated. According to Beaver, stress can have negative effects on an animal’s health, behavior, and physical appearance. Chronic stress affects an animal’s immune system negatively, and this stress can manifest itself in behavioral changes, such as the emergence of obsessive-compulsive disorder. ”.
Other possible indications of stress in dogs include the following, which you should be aware of:
According to Sung, the sympathetic nervous system and the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis, two crucial components of the stress response, release a cascade of activity when a dog is under stress. The stomach may take too long to empty once the stress-response system is engaged. In dogs, this delay might result in an appetite loss as well as other gastrointestinal symptoms. Sung claims that if food is allowed to remain in the stomach for too long, it may cause an upset stomach, and the dog may react by vomiting. Call your veterinarian as soon as possible if your dog is throwing up. Your veterinarian may advise letting the stomach rest for a few hours and then sticking to a bland diet, depending on the situation. You must plan a trip to the clinic for an in-person examination if your dog keeps vomiting and refuses to eat, or if your vet suspects something more serious is wrong.
Sung claims that stress can hasten the rate at which food passes through the intestines, which can cause dogs to have diarrhea. If your veterinarian advises it, feeding a bland diet to dogs with mild cases of diarrhea may be helpful, similar to when they vomit. However, stress may not always be to blame for diarrhea as there are numerous other causes, such as parasitic infections and food-borne illnesses.
If your dog’s diarrhea persists for more than 24 hours or if you notice blood or mucus in your dog’s stool, call your veterinarian right away. To rule out potentially serious health conditions, Beaver advises seeking veterinary assistance if the issue is severe or doesn’t go away in a day or so.
Some dogs may become compulsive under stress and engage in destructive chewing or non-food item ingestion (see Pica in Dogs). According to Sung, “some dogs exhibit stress by chewing on whatever is nearby and possibly ingesting inedible objects, such as rocks.” Other dogs may exhibit excessive scratching or licking. Sung continues, “In some instances, they may lick a specific area of their body raw.” To find out what’s wrong with your dog, make an appointment with your veterinarian. Dogs who display repetitive behaviors may have underlying medical issues.
Having to deal with excessive dog hair at certain times of the year and especially with certain breeds is just one of the difficulties of having a pet. But if you observe an unexpected change or increase in your dog’s shedding, those flying furballs may be your dog’s way of communicating stress.
Additionally, that symptom highlights an intriguing new area of research in the area of pet gut health. The balance of bacteria in a dog’s gut is reportedly affected by stress, but Beaver claims that chronic stress alters the types of bacteria that are present. That can prevent the intestines from absorbing vital nutrients or causing poor food digestion, she explains. Your dog’s skin and fur may be negatively impacted by stress and nutritional deficiencies, such as excessive shedding.
Additionally, according to Sung, stress can result in acute intestinal inflammation, lowered cellular immunity, and increased intestinal permeability. These issues increase the gut’s susceptibility to bacterial toxins This could increase the likelihood of gastrointestinal infections, she says. “The immediate outcome may be diarrhea. Chronic intestinal discomfort, inflammation, and possibly infections could be the long-term effects. ”.
What are the symptoms of separation anxiety?
You should think about whether your dog is exhibiting additional anxiety symptoms if you want to be certain that their vomiting and diarrhea are due to separation anxiety. Other symptoms include pacing, shaking, and drooling repeatedly.
Separation anxiety can also lead to destructive behavior toward one’s own belongings and furnishings. Many dogs who experience separation anxiety also excessively bark and whine whenever their owners leave the house, use the restroom inside, or attempt to leave the house. They may even harm themselves if they scratch, bite, or lick too much.
How to do separation training
You must instill a sense of independence in your dog if you want to stop separation anxiety and all of its symptoms.
You can do this by gradually introducing time apart. First, try leaving the house for a matter of minutes. Always say goodbye so that they are aware of what is happening, but avoid making a big deal out of it as this can heighten feelings of anxiety. Make a big deal when you get back instead because that will remind people that there is something to look forward to when you go out.
Leave the house for a little bit longer the following day, and keep doing so, adding a little bit more time every day. Your dog will become more confident that you will return no matter where you go as a result. Within weeks, if you consistently practice this, you ought to notice a noticeable improvement in your dog’s symptoms.
You should try to create positive associations with being alone in order to instill confidence in your dog. When you’re at home, encourage your dog to play independently by giving them a puzzle toy or a treat dispenser.
Next time you leave, give it to them right before you do so so they have it. This will provide your dog with enjoyable activities while you are away and demonstrate to them the benefits of spending time alone.
Desensitizing your dog to signs of separation is a good idea too. Try performing routine actions prior to leaving the house, such as putting on your shoes. then continue with what you were doing rather than leaving the house. This should ease any anticipatory anxiety and teach your dog that your actions are nothing to be concerned about.
If your dog exhibits severe separation anxiety, consider using a plug-in diffuser or an anti-anxiety dietary supplement to help with training. They are known to effectively reduce stress in animals, are completely safe, and natural.
As mentioned above, under-stimulation can contribute to separation anxiety. Therefore, to lessen anxiety, ensure that your dog is getting enough exercise and engaging in fun activities.
Ask your veterinarian for specific guidance on how much exercise your dog needs based on their age, size, and breed. To make your walks as stimulating as possible, try going to different places, engaging in different activities, and interacting with lots of people and dogs.
Socializing is great for dogs with separation anxiety. It helps them to feel fulfilled and eliminates loneliness. Give your dog lots of love, try to include them as much as you can, and don’t ever leave them alone for longer than four hours at a time.
The most effective ways to lessen anxiety probably involve play and mental stimulation. For dogs, activities like hide-and-seek and treasure hunt are excellent stress relievers, and for humans, puzzle games, feeding mats, and treat dispenser balls are great toys.
FAQ
Is vomiting a critical sign of stress in dogs?
Critical Dog Stress Signs Loss of appetite or a decrease in appetite Increased urination. Vomiting and/or diarrhea.
What are signs of stress in a dog?
- The word “stress” is frequently used to refer to pressure or strain. The causes of stress are exceedingly varied.
- Pacing or shaking. …
- Whining or barking. …
- Yawning, drooling, and licking. …
- Changes in eyes and ears. …
- Changes in body posture. …
- Shedding. …
- Panting.
Why does my dog vomit when stressed?
Stress Can Lead to Stomach Issues “The increased nerve activity causes intestinal spasms; the stress hormones can direct blood away from the intestines; this causes diarrhea and/or vomiting-sometimes immediately, but it can occur up to 48 hours after the stressful event. ”.
Why would a dog suddenly start vomiting?
Vomiting may be caused by a minor intestinal upset, intestinal parasites, or dietary transgressions such as consuming table scraps, trash, spoiled food, or offensive-tasting objects like some insects.