Signs of Pet Stress and How You Can Help Your Dog

Dogs are just like humans in that certain situations can stress them out. Some are born with anxiety, others acquire it after a traumatic incident and others begin to exhibit it as they age. Regardless, stress in dogs isn’t something to be taken lightly. You know your furry friend better than anyone, so it’s important you take the time to notice when he’s not enjoying the situation he’s in. The following are some signs of pet stress and what you can do to help your dog.

A Tail’s Tale

Your dog’s tail can really tell a tale. If it’s tucked between the legs or stiffly pointed downward, you pup might be feeling a little bit nervous. If it’s wagging, but only the tip is going back and forth, that could also indicate anxiety. Your dog’s tail should be loose and “swishy,” and when it’s not, that’s a sign your dog is a bit tense.

Lip Licking and Drooling

Most dogs are going to lick their lips and drool. Sometimes a drooling dog is just an excited dog. Your dog might drool when he has a treat or could lick his lips when he gets tired. Only you know your dog’s habits, and when he begins to lick his lips or drool in different circumstances than normal, it could be cause for concern.

Shifty Eyes

If you’ve been around any dog in your lifetime, you know how quickly one will turn his head if he hears something or sees something out of the corner of his eye. Many dogs seem to always be on high alert, but that doesn’t mean what’s out there isn’t scaring your dog. If your dog won’t turn his head to see what he’s hearing, that may be a sign he’s feeling nervous or anxious. You might see him shift his eyes instead, exposing a sliver of the white of his eye. This is most likely done because your dog doesn’t want to draw attention to himself if he’s scared.

Seeking Comfort

Some dogs just like to cuddle, so seeking comfort is going to be normal for them. If your dog isn’t regularly a cuddler, or is seeking comfort during a strange circumstance, it could be he’s feeling stressed out. He may just need a reassuring cuddle or back scratch, then he’ll be on his way, or he may just need to hang out with you for a while until he begins to calm down.

Aggression

Just like many humans you might know, dogs often get aggressive when they’re stressed, anxious, feel uncomfortable or feel like they’re in danger. Your dog might curl his lips, snap at someone new, bark or growl. His muscles may become tense and he may lash out at others when that’s not normal behavior for him.

Peeing in the House

Puppies that aren’t quite housetrained yet are going to pee in the house, but if you’ve got a dog that is already trained, you can expect him to take it outside. If your dog pees in the house during stressful situations, that’s a sign the circumstances are too much to handle. It may be difficult to deal with, but your pup needs you to act with patience.

What You Can Do To Help Your Dog Curb the Anxiety

Once you realize what’s going on, you can take steps to help your dog feel more at ease. Whether you notice he suffers more anxiety around unfamiliar people, during thunderstorms or at certain times of the year, you can help him deal with the stress. The following are some ideas for you to help curb the anxiety in your dog.

• Massage Your Dog With Calming Balm – The Natural Calming Fou-Stick Dog and Cat Balm is created with naturally calming ingredients such as herbal oils, passionflower, chamomile and more. Simply rub it into your dog’s paws or around his neck and he’ll begin to feel a sense of calm.

• Try a Calming Tablet – There are various calming tablets you can give your pet, with one being the Quiet Moments Calming Aid With Melatonin . It reduces stress and tension, allowing your dog to participate in some of the things that would normally cause him to feel anxious.

• Put a Recovery Suit on Him – Although recovery suits are meant to aid in recovery after a surgery or while he experiences a skin condition, your dog might find comfort from a recovery suit as it acts as compression clothing. Reducing stress and anxiety, your dog may feel more secure wherever he goes.

• Try a Calming Collar – A product such as the Sentry Calming Dog Collar might be just what your dog needs. With soothing lavender and aromatherapy around your dog’s neck, he has that calming scent in any situation he finds himself in.

• Hand Out Some Anti-Anxiety Treats – Every dog loves a treat, and some are created to help with anxiety and stress. The Granville Nutra Dog Treats for Anxiety & Stress contain skullcaps, flaxseed and lemon basil, which have been scientifically proven to calm the nerves.

As you can see, dogs can get anxious, but they don’t have to suffer with the stress and anxiety they feel. There are a lot of products available to help, so your dog should never have to feel as if the world’s closing in on him. If nothing else works, give your pup some quality time with the humans he loves most, and make sure he always knows he’s loved.