All About Dog Anxiety
Its Dog Anxiety Awareness Week! Did you know that over 70% of dogs show signs of anxiety during their life? In this article we’ll go over the signs of dog anxiety and what causes them. Then, we’ll tell you how Licks products can help!
Signs of Dog Anxiety
The first step to helping your dog manage their anxiety is knowing the signs-
“Dogs with anxiety can be, well, loud. Their anxious vocalizations typically fall into these categories:
Whining or whimpering
Barking (1)”
In addition to extra vigilant or clingy behavior, you may notice:
Fidgeting
Licking themselves excessively
Pacing
“Watch your dog’s body language for these signs your dog has anxiety:
Ears held back against the head
A tucked tail
Crouching low
Shrinking away from perceived threats
A compact stance that minimizes the size of their body
“Other common signs of anxiety may include:
potty accidents
destructive behaviors
Trembling
Panting
Drooling
Lip licking
Sniffing the air
Shaking as if they were wet
Yawning” (1)
Causes of Dog Anxiety
“Dogs can get stressed for a number of reasons—some of which are very relatable to the anxieties we might have, like meeting new people or a fear of loud thunderstorms. “Dogs can get anxiety, and it can take many forms. What makes one dog anxious can be almost as unique as the dog itself,” says Chaundra Schofield, VMD, a veterinarian with IndeVets.” (2)
“Separation anxiety occurs when a dog is separated from its human. Its stress often manifests in destructive behavior, such as going potty indoors, and might be one of the reasons your dog howls or barks too much.
If your dog hides under the coffee table during a thunderstorm or pees inside the house when someone it doesn’t know visits, you can deduce that it’s probably due to anxiety.” (2)
How to Help Your Anxious Dog
“Anxious dogs are truly suffering, so if you suspect your pet is stressed, it’s important to seek help immediately. The benefits of early treatment can’t be overstated, because anxiety symptoms tend to get worse over time, and dogs may become fearful under an increasing number of circumstances. For these reasons, knowing how to calm dogs with anxiety is extremely important.” (2)
One way to help your dog is through behavioral modification techniques- like counter conditioning, aka slow, gradual exposure to their triggers (such as picking up your keys around a dog with separation anxiety).
Using All-natural pet supplements are another great place to start! Licks Dog Zen Calming Aid is great for helping dogs with symptoms of anxiety. It is fast acting, and can provide a calming effect lasting up to 6 hours! If your dog has separation anxiety for example, give them 1 packet (works best on an empty stomach) before you leave the house to keep them calm when you are away. Or, if they get anxious during car rides or thunderstorms, you can give them 1 packet 15-20 minutes prior to the event to help keep them calm!
Find out more about our ZEN Calming Aid on the product pages HERE!
