Like humans, dogs experience anxiety too. Most owners do not recognize anxiety in their pets, and this might lead to grave consequences. It is important to monitor the pets and get to know if something has triggered their anxiety.
First and foremost, the signs of anxiety vary from one pet to another. Hence, it is vital to study their behaviour and identify such distress signals.
Anxiety signs and symptoms in pets :
In most cases, a pet if it is a dog might have its tail tucked between its legs and seem restless. Some pets do not look at you even if you try so much and tend to move away from when you try to coax them. Pets with anxiety disorders usually have a hiding place that they prefer most of the time.
Other symptoms in pets include the following :
- Spontaneous bowel movement
- Aggressive behavior through destruction
- Consistently avoiding all eye contact and attempts of interaction
- Profusely panting
- Licking excessively
- Frequent trembling
- Behaviors of displacement can also be witnessed
This list does not include all the symptoms that reflect anxiety in pets. However, most pets might exhibit just one or a set of these symptoms regularly. Though it is not really very fatal if they feel uncomfortable, more of these signs can mean they are in extreme desperation and need immediate help.
What causes anxiety in pets?
Dogs become anxious for a variety of reasons. It is hard to really identify why your pet is feeling anxious in some instances and in some, you will be able to recognize it the moment you have your eyes on him/her. Once, you know why they exhibit this behaviour, you will be able to deduct a way to calm them down or rush them to a hospital to reduce their anxiety through treatment.
Four specific types of Anxiety exist in pets, and they are :
1.Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is seen in pets that miss their parents for a long period of time. When the pet’s separation anxiety just increases, it might become destructive in nature, devastating all household properties that it could get its canine on. This condition is pretty much common in pets and not all of them like being alone.
Signs
- Destruction of furniture and other household properties
- Whining, barking and howling excessively
Causes
- Boredom
- Loneliness
- A decline in the cognitive and memory developments
Guidelines to ease Separation anxiety
- Have game and exercise sessions before you leave your pet alone
- Expose them to stuffed toys
- Make them feel comfortable when you go out
2.Rescue Anxiety / Previous Shelter Anxiety
Pets that have spent considerable time at a shelter or have faced traumatic experiences before tend to remain anxious due to the torment they had to undergo. At times, this behaviour can also lead them into giving themselves to the likes of separation anxiety as they fear of abandonment all the time.
Signs
- Anxious all the time
- Aggression due to the fear of being alone again
Causes
- Striking memories of abandonment at previous shelter
- Previous trauma
- Uneasiness due to uncertain routines
Guidelines to ease Rescue anxiety
- A consistent schedule for the pet to be followed at all times
- Getting a behaviorist to identify triggers
3.Generalized anxiety
Generalized anxiety is a bit tricky to understand, as the cause for this anxiety often cannot be determined. It might be very common at times or due to a primary event that caused anxiety in the past, even before you adopted the pet. In some cases, your pet might reflect some subtle symptoms.
Signs
- Anxious or upset all the time
Causes
- Bygone past triggers that have cropped up later transforming into anxiety
- Your pet might be prone to anxiety
Guidelines to ease Generalized anxiety
- A consistent and predictable low stimuli environment in place
- Consulting veterinarian for treatment procedures
4.Illness-Induced Anxiety
Anxiety in some pets can be caused due to illness or a particular disease. Some pets who have not faced anxiety at all develop symptoms all of a sudden.
Some common causes could be Hypothyroidism, Thyrotoxicosis, Encephalitis, Diabetes, Loss in hearing or vision,
Other anxiety triggers include loud sounds, aging, surfaces, frequent visits to the veterinarian, routine changes or bringing new people or animals to your home.
Other Tips to Reduce Anxiety
- Maintain a safe place with less sounds
You can always keep your pets in a quiet room while there might be disturbing sounds and other factors.
- Pheromones
Pheromones are chemicals that can relax the pets. The chemicals come in natural and synthetic forms. And it is available in many pet stores and online shopping sites.
- Talk to your veterinarian
Your pet’s doctor can always provide you with suggestions and recommendations to take care of your pet’s anxiety in the best way possible.
