How To Tell Your Dog Is In Distress

How To Tell Your Dog Is In Distress

Like us, dogs can get really stressed out, but since we aren’t the same species, it can be hard for us to tell when our furry friends are under stress sometimes.

This article will help you to understand what stress in dogs looks like and what you can do about it as a dog parent.

Signs

Distress, fear, or anxiety, is a situation where the stressor is intense, prolonged, and/or cannot be reduced to a tolerable level. In dogs, this is reflected in physiological changes and behavioral reactions.

Physiological changes

Some of the most severe physiological changes in dogs include crying, howling, urinating, and defecating. More common changes include:

  • Folding back of the ears
  • Tucking the tail
  • Crouching
  • Dilating pupils
  • Yawning
  • Panting (when not environmentally or exercise-related)
  • Whining

Behavioral reactions

For dogs, the most common behavioral reactions include:

  • Attempting to escape or avoidance
  • Social distance behaviors such as growling, barking, lunging or biting
  • Freezing, meaning taking a rigid stance and not doing any typical behaviors

Causes

Dogs become stressed out for three main reasons namely:

  • A scary event- This might have happened in the past, for instance, if your dog has been exposed to an uncomfortable situation with fireworks, he/she may feel distressed every year around the Fourth of July
  • A change in environment- Dogs become stressed out by changes in their routine and surroundings. This can sometimes be as minor as changing the appearance of a room or as drastic as moving from one home to another.
  • Medical issues- Certain medical conditions which result in symptoms such as pain, reduction in vision and hearing, and an overall decline in well-being can cause distress in dogs.

Prevention

The key to preventing stress for your dog is to understand his/her limits. You should also introduce changes and challenges gradually to make them more of an adventure than an intimidating experience. Positive reinforcement is also an excellent strategy for helping to build confidence and preventing bigger problems in the future.

Treatment

In the more severe cases, medication might be the best route as home remedies may prove ineffective for dogs who are struggling. All these answers lie with your veterinarian, till then, observe your dog closely so you can provide vital information that will be necessary for treatment.

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