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How to Tell if Your Dog is Anxious or Stressed

How to Tell if Your Dog is Anxious or Stressed

It can be difficult for our pets to express exactly how they are feeling. But, as pet owners ourselves we know that if you pay close attention to your dog, you can tell whether they're happy or sad. This same principle is also true for anxiety and stress. There are a few clear signs that are indicators if your dog is in distress, you just need to know what to look for. So to help make sure your pet is the happiest they can be, we've put together a simple guide on what to watch out for.

Turning Away Their Head

Similar to tucking their tail, dogs might also turn their head away from both people, and other animals, when they are feeling anxious. If you see your dog doing this on a regular basis you may want to give them some comfort, as it’s very likely that they're feeling stressed and anxious. Additionally to turning their head away, you should look to see if they are giving you side glances to the point where you can see the white part of their eyes. If this is the case, they definitely need some help to get relaxed!
Dogs might also turn their head away from people and other pets when they are feeling anxious.

Dogs might also turn their head away from people and other pets when they are feeling anxious.

Decrease in Appetite

It isn’t common for a dog to suddenly go off food or stop eating altogether. You probably know that your dog loves food and how much they eat on a regular basis. If you notice that this has changed and your pet is eating less, or not eating at all, there is probably some sort of issue. Even though a reduced appetite can be caused by other underlying health conditions, it is also likely that your dog is feeling stressed out or anxious about changes to his environment. One way to counter this anxiety is to add some supplements to your pet’s diet. Natural options such as EcoBalance Extra-Strength Calming Liquid for Dogs & Cats are proven to help make your dog less anxious almost immediately (full disclosure, this is a VetOrganics product. However, its use with pets diet has shown significant decrease in anxiety and stress. We stand by this product and offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee). Just give your dog a few drops on their tongue, or in their meal, and they should be back to their happy stress free selves in no time.Learn more about EcoBalance Calming Liquid

Constipation, Diarrhea and Other Digestive Problems

Animals are very sensitive and they respond quickly to changes and new situations. Just like people one of the ways that their body might respond to stress is by having digestive issues. Conditions related to digestion have been commonly associated with disease and food intolerance, but anxiety can also play a significant role. This is why it is important to see a vet if your pet has continuous diarrhea, or other digestive problems. It is even more important to seek professional help if such condition has lasted for more than 24 hours.
I am not feeling well...Something is wrong with my tummy...

"I am not feeling well...Something is wrong with my tummy..."

Isolation

Dog’s are very social. Of course, some might prefer to have alone time every now and then. But, if the dog is constantly isolating herself from the other pets or people in the home, they could be suffering from anxiety. However, another reason for isolation might be due to sickness. If your dog is spending an uncommon amount of time alone and doesn’t want to be social, it might be a good idea to take them to the vet for a check-up.

"Leave me alone, please..."

Aggression

Your pet has always been your best friend, but recently, you’ve started noticing that they've had some aggressive behavior. It could be that your dog is nursing some anxiety. When aggression is anxiety-related, it tends to be accompanied by a fearful body posture, a matching facial expression, and a bit of submissive behavior. If the aggression is caused by anxiety treatment should focus on behavior management tactics to help assist your dog or cat deal with their anger and anxiety better. In some extreme cases, devices like muzzles can also be effective - especially when the dog is away from home. Stress is uncomfortable for both the pet and the owner, so if you think that your dog is exhibiting signs of anxiety get them some help and try to comfort them. After all, we all want our best friends to be happy and healthy.
"I am not in a good mood today! "

"I am not in a good mood today! "

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