8 symptoms of stress in a dog

The content of the article

• Change the standard behavior of the dog
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Reinforced molt
• Hard breath
• Unusual behavior
• Loss of appetite
• Privacy
• Drowsiness
• Aggression
• Exclude the disease
• How to help a four-legged friend

An excess of emotions, both good and bad, is hard for the body to perceive. Not only a person can suffer from stress: dogs are also subject to it, and this manifests itself in different ways. Many symptoms of this condition are similar to signs of disease, so it’s important to understand what’s happening with your pet in time..

Change the standard behavior of the dog

It is impossible to predict how the animal will display experiences. It depends on the characteristics of the nervous system. There are two main ways of development: active (the dog behaves uneasily) and passive (is in apathy). Basically, animals become too excited: they run around the room, suddenly yapping, “digging” the floor. Less often, they distance themselves from the world, cease to show interest in familiar things..

Diarrhea or constipation

Digestive upset is a common symptom of stress in an animal. Nerve impulses are given randomly, the intestines cannot work correctly, diarrhea, constipation occurs. Less often they alternate. Stress disorder can be recognized by the absence of other disturbing symptoms. If there is blood in the stool, the animal is vomiting, diarrhea does not stop for more than 24 hours, see a veterinarian. So manifest infections and other foodborne diseases.

Reinforced molt

In adults, this process occurs seasonally, and in puppies – during puberty. If the pet molts all year round or loses a lot of hair when it is shaken off, gets up from a couch, visit the veterinarian. This is the first and most common sign of stress. It can also indicate skin diseases, allergies, immune disorders, liver function.

Hard breath

Other symptoms of stress are often added to this symptom of strong internal tension: the tail is lowered, the ears are laid back, the body is shaking. If the dog is nervous and often breathes, trembles, rolls out his tongue, this is a panic attack. Be careful: when the animal abruptly closes its mouth and calms down, it can rush, bite.

Unusual behavior

The most common signs of stress in a dog are sudden anxiety and damage to surrounding objects. Active attempts to gnaw legs on a sofa or chair, pick up the upholstery, and tear off the tablecloth from the table indicate a nervous shock. Less often, the animal bites itself or licks to lose hair in separate areas. Even the calmest pet can behave this way.

Often this happens when the animal is left alone for a long time. Unusual behavior becomes a way to attract the attention of the owners. Track in which situation the dog begins to spoil everything: next to other animals, with a lack of activity, lack of communication with a person.

Loss of appetite

In an apathetic state, a pet can lose its appetite. It is worth worrying if he stops approaching the water or quickly loses weight. This is a symptom of not only stress, but also anorexia, endocrine diseases. If eating is accompanied by an upset stool, take your pet to the veterinarian.

Privacy

Some pets tolerate stress calmly, they only need privacy. They can hide in a corner and whine there, find a poorly lit part of the apartment and lie low. In a state of apathy, the animal does not change the selected position for a long time, does not respond to the owner, refuses treats, games. Often, solitude becomes a symptom of stress in a dog that occurs in response to relocation, castration and other medical interventions..

Drowsiness

This is a sign of not only emotional overload, but also illness. An organism that is depleted for some reason is trying to recover through sleep. Observe how much the dog is resting, how much this differs from its usual routine. If drowsiness is constant and reduces the activity of the animal to zero, this may indicate trauma, pathology of the heart, liver, anemia, tumors, diabetes.

Aggression

If, by nature, the pet is calm, non-conflict, does not give voice once again, sudden outbreaks of aggression towards humans or other animals are a possible symptom of stress or illness. A loud bark, even with short contact with a dog, attempts to attack, a fearful pose with ears pressed and a worried muzzle should alert the owner. Often this manifests short-term stress..

Show your pet to the veterinarian to determine the cause of the aggressive behavior. If these are all symptoms of stress in a dog, you will need to not only rule out its source. The animals are taught to teach them how to control anxiety and anger..

Exclude the disease

All of the listed symptoms of stress in a dog can indicate problems with digestion, nervous or endocrine system, metabolic processes. If you can’t calm the pet, and its behavior does not return to normal for a day, go to the veterinarian. Do this when the dog is often stressed. Especially if vomiting, ulcers, wounds on the skin, exhaustion, pus in the eyes are observed. The condition can lead to exhaustion, decreased immunity and infections, chronic pathologies.

How to help a four-legged friend

• Every day play with the dog, provide her with physical activity. Activity helps the animal throw out excess adrenaline, which can provoke aggression. If the pet is in an apathetic state, games or even a simple walk will “stir it up”.
• Give the dog a nook. Put a blanket there, sketch your favorite toys. Let no one touch her here until the short-term stressful period ends. It is especially effective after going to the veterinarian, for a haircut and other minor unpleasant events..
• Smooth stressful situations. Take your pet to an empty area if he feels discomfort among other animals. Take your old toys with you when you move: this will create the illusion of “home” in a new place.
• Do not break the established daily routine. It helps the dog feel that everything is going right..
• Do not modify the created rules. When the animal understands what is expected of him, it is easier for him to build his behavior.
• Spend more time with your pet. Attention and care – the most effective treatment for stress in dogs.