Like humans, our pets can get stressed, no matter how incredible it may seem at first glance. The circumstances that “trigger” such emotions and determine the degree of stress are different and individual for each dog, but there are some sure signs that we should not ignore. Because in addition to the physical, as dog owners we are also responsible for the mental health of our pet.
Dogs show in different ways that they are stressed. In order to be able to help our four-legged friend regain his usual harmonious behavior, to develop healthy and happy, we should pay attention to the signs that they give us.
Important! If one or more of the problems that we will pay attention to appear and despite your timely intervention you do not see improvement, do not waste time in contacting your veterinarian.
Here are the five most obvious signs that your dog is stressed.
• Digestive issues
Sometimes it can be difficult to determine for sure whether your pet’s stomach problems are due to stress. However, if your pet has never had digestive issues before, you know they love their food and eat it with pleasure, and you suddenly notice symptoms like constipation or diarrhea that last longer than 2-3 days, it is very possible that external stressors are affecting your pet’s overall health.
Sudden aggression
Whether it is towards a person or an animal. Dogs tend to act aggressively and aggressively when they are stressed, in pain, or sick. If you can easily rule out medical issues, this is a sign that something in your pet’s emotional state is affecting their behavior. After consulting with your vet, it may be a good idea to consider contacting a professional trainer to help you deal with aggression. Photo: Pixabay.com
• Dog body language
The ways in which dogs communicate are quite different from the ways in which we humans communicate with each other. Our pets have their own ways of telling us how they feel, whether something hurts them or if they are uncomfortable – just by looking at their body language. This could be the position of their ears, eyes or tail – all key factors in interpreting your dog’s state of mind. And equally determining whether they are feeling stressed or not. You may also notice signs such as: itching and persistent scratching, excessive drooling, paw licking, trembling or frequent yawning. Photo: pixabay.com
It is also important to note that in addition to being a sign of stress, some of these actions by your four-legged friend could be an indicator of more serious illnesses. For this reason, a visit to the vet is mandatory.
• Frequent incidents or accidents
If your dog is already in adulthood and has long passed the point of releasing urine at home, if he starts doing it, then it may be a case of stress. Once or twice may not be a cause for concern, but if you systematically find droplets of urine around your home, you should definitely consider a visit to the doctor.
Remember not to scold the animal – always approach your four-legged friend’s problems carefully and patiently. He is trying to tell you that something is wrong with him in the only possible way he knows. Photo: pixabay.com
• Sleep Problems
If your dog is sleeping less or more than normal, this is one of the sure signs that something is worrying or disturbing him. Just like us humans, our four-legged friends also have sleep disturbances when they feel stressed.
Insomnia or excessive lethargy can also be a sign of something more serious, so if these problems continue for days, visit your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Remember that no one knows your dog better than you do, and every rule has its exceptions. It is important to monitor changes in your dog’s behavior and if you notice any worrying symptoms or signs, to react as soon as possible. The sooner you do so, the sooner both you and your dog will be happy and calm again.
Illustrative Photo by Torsten Dettlaff: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-and-black-german-shepherd-puppy-sitting-on-gray-textile-59523/
