Dog Anxiety: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options
Key takeaways:
Anxiety can cause behavioral issues in dogs like barking excessively, peeing and pooping indoors, and aggressiveness.
Common triggers for dog anxiety include separation from their owner, loud noises, and being around strangers.
Anxiety in dogs can be managed with physical activity, environmental changes, and medication.
Table of contents
Dog anxiety is fairly common. One study found that nearly 73% of dogs have at least one anxiety-related behavior. The good news is there are things you can do to ease your dog’s jitters.
Here we’ll look at signs of a stressed-out dog, common triggers for dog anxiety, and strategies to manage it.
What is dog anxiety?
Dog anxiety occurs when your pet becomes overly nervous or panicky, which can trigger behavioral symptoms. It’s different from a normal, healthy stress response. A normal reaction to stress may prompt your dog to run from danger or take cover to protect themselves. It’s no different than slamming on your brakes to avoid hitting a car.
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But if distress leads to chronic behavioral issues, such as barking wildly or destroying furniture, your pup may have anxiety. This condition is serious and is best managed with coping strategies, behavioral training, and possibly medication.
Symptoms of anxiety in dogs
Symptoms of dog anxiety can vary from dog to dog. Though you can usually tell it’s anxiety because a dog’s behavior will change.
Here are 18 common signs of dog anxiety.
1. Excessive barking
Barking is a natural way for dogs to communicate. But a dog who barks nonstop may be trying to tell you they’re stressed out. Anxiety-related barking typically occurs along with other behaviors, such as pacing.
2. Whining
Whining is another normal way for dogs to communicate. They may whine to tell you something hurts or to greet you when you get home. Whining can also mean your pup is feeling anxious, especially if they’re pacing or trembling at the same time.
3. Destroying things
Destructive behavior is not normal for most dogs. When it does occur, it’s often a way of relieving excess energy, anxiety, and stress.
Does your dog get antsy during fireworks? These tips from pet parents can help calm your pup when things get loud.
Dog separation anxiety: Learn about separation anxiety and what you can do about it.
Could your dog be depressed? Read about depression in dogs and treatment options, including medications.
4. Panting
Dogs pant to cool themselves off in the heat or during exercise. But your pup may also pant when they’re anxious, such as during a vet visit or a thunderstorm.
5. Licking
Dogs often lick their paws to groom themselves or relieve itchy skin. But sometimes, dogs lick compulsively because they're anxious.
6. Shaking
Pups shake for many reasons, such as feeling pain or cold. But your dog may also tremble when they feel scared, like on a car ride or when you leave the house.
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7. Pacing
Pacing is usually a sign that there’s something wrong. Your pup might walk back and forth in place or walk aimlessly around the house if they’re worried.
8. Anal gland expression
When some dogs become anxious, their anal glands may squirt involuntarily. Your dog has two sacs on either side of their bottom. The glands in these sacs make a foul-smelling odor that’s unique to your animal. When your pet poops, the glands naturally drain themselves.
9. Peeing or pooping in the house
If a house-trained dog starts having accidents in the house, it could be a sign of distress.
10. Drooling
A little slobber is normal for most pups. But if your dog starts drooling more than usual, it could be a sign of anxiety.
11. Aggressiveness
Most dogs aren’t normally aggressive. But aggression is a common reaction to fear. A pooch that starts to act out repeatedly could have an anxiety disorder.
12. Scratching at the door
Many furry friends scratch the door when they need to go out. But excessive scratching could mean a dog is anxious.
13. Attempting to escape or run away
A fearful pup may try desperately to run from the situation that’s upsetting them. This is another common dog anxiety response.
14. Lowered tail
Your dog may lower their tail and wag it in a short arc. Or they may wag their tail toward the left side of their body. Either of these behaviors may signal anxiety.
15. Enlarged pupils
When a dog feels anxious, their eyes may appear rounder than normal or the whites around their eyes may appear larger. Their pupils may dilate and their eyes may look glassy.
16. Tight lips
An anxious pup may keep their mouth closed, pull their lips back at the corners, or tighten their mouth.
17. Raised hackles
The fur along your pet’s back and shoulders and above their tail may rise when they’re feeling anxious. This is known as raised hackles.
18. Tense muscles
If your dog is anxious, their body may tense up with their weight centered over their four legs.
Causes of dog anxiety
Dogs can become anxious for various reasons. Here are some of the most common causes of anxiety in dogs.
Separation anxiety
Your pup may get the jitters when you leave them home alone.
Fears or phobias
Some dogs get scared when they’re introduced to something new, like a stranger, another dog, or an inanimate object. Others develop intense fears or phobias about things like fireworks or vacuum cleaners.
Aging
Senior dogs can experience cognitive decline and physical discomfort just like older people. Hearing and vision loss, joint pain, and an inability to control their pee and poop can all make a dog anxious.
Medications for dog anxiety
Your veterinarian may recommend a prescription medication to manage your dog’s anxiety. Here are some medications that are commonly used for dog anxiety.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are medications used to treat behavioral conditions like anxiety and depression. They’re usually given every day to manage long-term anxiety.
Antidepressants used to treat dog anxiety include:
Clomipramine (Clomicalm)
Amitriptyline (Elavil)
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Sertraline (Zoloft)
Paroxetine (Paxil)
Fluvoxamine
Citalopram
Escitalopram
Anxiety medications
Anxiety medications can also manage fear and anxiety in dogs. They may be prescribed on their own or in addition to an antidepressant. Some are best used right before a stressful event, while others work best when taken regularly. Your veterinarian will help you choose the best option for your dog.
Some common anxiety medications for dogs include:
Alprazolam (Xanax)
Diazepam (Valium)
Imepitoin
Lorazepam (Ativan)
Buspirone (Buspar)
Clonidine
Dexmedetomidine gel
Beta blockers
Beta blockers are medications that treat heart disease in humans. They also seem to ease anxiety symptoms in dogs, such as trembling and rapid heart rate.
Beta blockers for dog anxiety include:
Pindolol
Cognitive medication
Anxiety can be a symptom of cognitive decline or dementia in dogs. Selegiline (Anipryl) is used to treat cognitive dysfunction, which may help calm anxiety associated with dementia.
Other treatments for dog anxiety
Medications aren’t the only options for managing dog anxiety. Other treatments, such as daily exercise and positive behavioral training, can help. Here are some things you can try at home.
Physical activity
Exercise is a stress reliever for humans and their pets. Long walks and outdoor play can ease tension. During stressful situations, a long walk may tire your dog out enough to reduce their anxiety. Exercise also provides enrichment for your dog, which can help lower stress as well.
Positive reinforcement
You can use positive reinforcement to teach your dog how to calm down. This involves praising and rewarding desired behavior, rather than punishing unwanted behavior. Work with your pet on training when they’re calm and rested.
For example, give your animal treats and praise while training them to sit on command. Expand your training to include going to a comfortable space or lying down on their bed. Your goal is to get your dog to do something settling like sitting next to you or retreat to a safe place. Then, when things get hairy, you can send them to their happy place.
Bear in mind that positive reinforcement doesn’t always work. Your dog may go to their safe space and still feel anxious. If that’s the case, work with your veterinarian to find other solutions.
Environmental changes
Create a safe space in your home for your pet. It can be a crate with a comfortable bed or a room where there’s a favorite blanket and food toys. Give them treats and affection when they retreat to their happy place.
For a pup that’s fearful of fireworks, thunder, or separation, a safe space should offer comfort and distractions.
Natural products
Some natural products may help address your dog’s symptoms. These nonprescription options can include vitamins, minerals, and herbs.
Natural products that might benefit an anxious dog are:
Pheromones: Available as sprays, diffusers, and collars, these products release pheromones associated with a mother dog’s calming presence.
L-theanine: This ingredient contained in brand-name supplements such as Anxitane is believed to help with anxiety.
Melatonin: The supplement melatonin in a dog-safe form can help with dog anxiety.
Hydrolyzed milk protein: A supplement like brand-name Zylkene contains hydrolyzed milk protein that may calm your dog.
Can anxiety in dogs be prevented?
Some strategies may help prevent dog anxiety before it becomes a problem. But our fur babies are funny creatures. It’s hard to know what’s going to set them off, so you may not be able to prevent all anxiety for your dog.
Here are some anxiety prevention ideas you can try:
Maintain a daily routine, including scheduled walks and meals.
Play with your dog to release excess energy and promote bonding.
Create a comfortable space with toys, a bed and blanket, and a food toy.
Socialize your pet by introducing them to other people, places, and dogs.
Work on obedience training, which can help your dog learn to settle down in stressful situations.
Avoid situations that might trigger your dog, such as outdoor events with fireworks.
Frequently asked questions
You or a professional trainer may be able to train your dog to become less anxious. But some pups who are naturally shy or skittish may still need medication or other strategies to ease their anxiety.
Yes, anxious dogs are generally unhappy. Their fear can overwhelm them and cause them constant distress. But you can work with your dog to calm their fears with lots of love and patience. An antidepressant or other anxiety medication can also help them live a more confident, happy life. Talk to your veterinarian to find out what will best help your dog.
The bottom line
Some dogs experience anxiety. Dog anxiety can be caused by separation, specific fears, and underlying medical conditions. Anxious dogs may bark or lick excessively, become destructive, or pee and poop indoors.
Treatment for dog anxiety includes behavioral training, prescription medications, and other strategies. Your best bet is to talk to your veterinarian and work on prevention and treatment strategies together.
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