Anxiety is not an exclusively human condition. In fact, our pets can suffer from anxiety that ranges from mild levels of nervousness all the way to extreme anxiety that negatively affects health and behavior. Pet anxiety can be part of their basic personality or be due to changes in things like routine, trauma, or too much boredom. This guide from Union Lake Veterinary Hospital outlines signs of pet anxiety and provides tips on how to help.
Signs of Pet Anxiety in Dogs
Our dogs may not be able to verbally express when they’re feeling anxious, but they can exhibit certain signs that we can interpret. Anxious dogs will often:
- Bark or whine excessively
- Destructively chew, dig, or scratch
- Pace restlessly or tremble
- Have accidents in the house (when previously trained to go outside)
- Hide or try to escape
- Pant or drool more than they usually do
- Demonstrate self-harm behaviors like licking or chewing their paws raw.
Signs of Pet Anxiety in Cats
Cats tend to minimize any signs of weakness, which means it can be hard to tell when they’re feeling less-than-stellar. However, some of these signs could indicate that cats are feeling anxious:
- Hiding more than usual
- Over-grooming (especially if they create bald spots)
- Aggression or sudden clinginess
- House-soiling outside the litter box
- Excessive vocalization
- Loss of appetite or sudden weight loss
- Dilated pupils, tail flicking, ears back
Causes of Anxiety in Pets
Many factors could lead to anxiety in pets. While we can’t always pinpoint the trigger, gathering as much information as possible can help. Here are some of the most common causes of anxiety in pets:
- Separation: Being left alone for long periods
- Noise phobias: Thunderstorms, fireworks, construction
- New environments: Moving, new family members or pets
- Lack of socialization: Especially in young pets
- Past trauma: Rescue pets may have fear triggers
How to Help Pets with Anxiety
No pet owner wants their pet to suffer, so if your pet is suffering from anxiety, we know you want to do whatever you can to help. Ideally, seek help as soon as you can. Here are ways you can help pets with anxiety:
- Veterinary Exam: It’s important for your veterinarian to first rule out medical causes. Pain or illness can cause the same signs as anxiety. Try to give the vet as much information about the anxious behavior as possible.
- Behavioral Consultation: We have a behavioral services team that can help develop an individualized behavior treatment plan based on your pet’s unique behavioral profile.
- Behavior Modification: Training and positive reinforcement help pets feel safer. Both our behavioral services staff and our extensive training team can work with you and your pet to help decrease their fear and anxiety and increase confidence.
- Enrichment: Mental and physical stimulation can ease stress. Puzzle feeders, toys, window perches for cats, and regular playtime make a difference for nervous animals.
- Calming Aids: Use Adaptil diffusers for dogs or Feliway for cats, calming treats, thunder shirts, or pheromone sprays to help ease anxious feelings.
- Medication: In moderate to severe cases, your veterinarian may recommend anti-anxiety medications or work with a veterinary behaviorist.
We Are Here to Help
If you are seeing signs of pet anxiety, the caring staff at Union Lake Veterinary Hospital is here to help. We offer a multifaceted approach to help pets in Waterford and the surrounding areas. Call (248) 363-1508 to start helping your pet feel happier and calmer.