Taking good care of our furry family members requires more than just providing food, water and a cosy place to sleep. Taking good care of our pets requires that we nurture and attend to them not only on a physical level but on an emotional level too. Just like humans, dogs can experience a wide spectrum of emotions and they are just as susceptible to feelings of stress, unease and anxiety as we are. It is therefore important that we become aware of the signs and symptoms that inform us of the inner world of our furry friends, so that we can support and nurture them as best we can. In this article, we will list some causes of anxiety in dogs, the symptoms to look out for as well as trusted remedies and solutions. 

Separation Anxiety

One of the most common forms of anxiety in dogs is separation anxiety. Separation anxiety usually manifests within 30 minutes after a dog has been separated from their owner. This form of anxiety can result in major behavioural issues and is one of the main reasons why people tend to give up or re-home their dogs. However, with a little knowledge and patience, you can learn to work with your dog and soothe their separation anxiety.

Causes:

 

  • Moving house
  • Traumatic events (storms, loss of a loved one, drastic changes)
  • History of abandonment

 

Symptoms:

 

  • Persistent howling, crying or barking when left alone
  • Chewing or destroying objects in the home- particularly near doorways and windows
  • Attempts at escape
  • Nervous pacing 

 

Solutions:

  • Positive association: Get your dog to associate being alone with positive things such as delicious treats. 
  • Training: Train your dog by first leaving them alone for short periods of time and gradually extending these to longer periods. 
  • Depart slowly: Dogs will take note of signs that mean you are leaving home such as picking up your keys or putting on your shoes. These signs become triggers for separation anxiety and can be eased by taking the time to leave the house. 

Thunder:

Severe weather and thunderstorms are common causes of anxiety in dogs as they are hypersensitive to sound and loud noises. It can be equally distressful for an owner to see their dog overcome by fear during a thunderstorm and you can put both yourself and your dog at ease by knowing what to do in such a situation. Below we will take a look at some of the symptoms of thunder anxiety as well as some solutions:

Symptoms: 

 

  • Trembling and shaking
  • Hiding under beds, tables, chairs, counters etc
  • Howling and crying
  • Ears back and tail between the legs

 

Solutions:

 

  • Play peaceful, soothing music
  • Administer a natural or herbal anti-anxiety remedy ahead of time
  • A great product to invest in is the Thundershirt which has shown a significant reduction in anxiety and comes highly recommended by vets and dog trainers. 

 

Anxiety is a common issue experienced by many dogs and there are various factors that contribute to the causes. By simply taking the time and cultivating the patience to get to know your dog and their needs, anxiety has the potential to be soothed and eventually transformed.