Dog can experience anxiety just like we can. Here at Animal Smart Wrexham we have put together a summary of dog anxiety, what to look for and how to help your dog.
Dog anxiety can affect all breeds of dogs, but like humans each individual dog can be affected in different ways. Most dog experience some anxiety from time to time, however if disproportionate levels of anxiety are left unchecked, your dog could develop an anxiety disorder. Untreated dog anxiety can lead to negative behaviors and other issues.
As an Animal Smart pet owner in Wrexham knowing what can cause your dog to have anxiety can then assist you to recognize and treat your dog.
Dog Anxiety: Causes
Dog anxiety can have a variety of causes.
Some of the most common causes of dog anxiety are:
- Fear
- Separation
- Aging
Fear-related anxiety can be caused by loud noises, strange people or animals, visual stimuli like hats or umbrellas, new or strange environments, specific situations — like the vet’s office or car rides — or surfaces like grass or wood floors. Although some dogs may only have brief reactions to these kind of stimuli, they may affect anxious dogs more consequentially.
Separation anxiety is estimated to affect around 14% of dogs. Dogs with separation anxiety are unable to find comfort when they are left alone or separated from members of their family. This anxiety often manifests itself in unwanted behaviors, such as going to the toilet in the house, chewing or destroying furniture and furnishings, and barking.
Age-related anxiety affects older dogs and can be associated with cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS). In dogs with CDS, memory, learning, perception, and awareness start to decline, similar to the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease in humans. This understandably leads to confusion and anxiety in older dogs.
What are the symptoms to look out for in your dog?
Dog Anxiety: Symptoms
There are several important symptoms to look out for:
- Aggression
- Toileting in the house
- Destructive behavior
- Depression
- Excessive barking
- Panting
- Pacing
- Restlessness
- Repetitive or compulsive behaviors
As an Animal Smart pet owner in Wrexham if you suspect that your dog is suffering from anxiety speaking to your vet is a good place to start.
Depending on the severity of your dogs symptoms could affect the treatment most suitable for your dog. In serious cases, your vet may decide that medication in most suitable.
If your dog is showing negative behvaiours while you are out, i.e. possibly separation anxiety, one of the first things you could consider is shortening the time your dog is left alone.
For example if you are out all day at work, you could use an Animal Smart Wrexham dog walker to visit your dog, provide socialization, stimulation and exercise to your dog. Breaking up the time they are left alone and even possibly reducing some of the negative behaviours being displayed.
Our Animal Smart dog walkers in Wrexham are all DBS checked, fully insured for your peace of mind.