Stress in dogs: recognizing and reducing it

A dog can experience stress just like a human. Basically, stress in dog also works the same way as in humans. For example, stress can arise from pain, crowding, threat or excitement. Stress can arise from trauma or pain and be present for a long time, or it can be short-lived and arise from a specific situation or event. Moreover, stress can manifest itself in different ways, making it sometimes difficult to recognize the signs. We’ll tell you more about possible causes of stress, how to recognize it, and tips for reducing stress in your dog.

How do you recognize stress in your dog?

Stress can manifest in dogs in a variety of ways. Therefore, it is important that as an owner you learn to understand your dog’s signals. Stress causes a dog to behave differently, and by studying the behavior, you can recognize stress in time. These are some signs that may indicate stress in your dog:

• Vibrate
• Barking, panting or yawning
• Visible eye white
• Always looking away
• Running away
• Restlessness
• Aggression
• Inappropriate behavior, such as peeing in the house or eating grass
• Excessive licking, such as on his paw or lips

Why is your dog stressed?

There are numerous causes that can cause stress in your dog. When your dog experiences stress in a brief, intense way that can be linked to a specific situation or factor, it is called acute stress. Consider the following situations:

• A vet visit
• Noise, such as loud bangs from fireworks
• Car trips

Because acute stress is usually directly linked to a situation, this stress is often short-lived and relatively harmless. When your dog experiences chronic stress, however, it is a different story. Chronic stress is long-term and created, for example, by insecurity, trauma, illness or pain. This can cause the body to go into survival mode, causing bodily functions to function less well. For example, the immune system can take quite a hit from chronic stress, making your dog more susceptible to diseases and ailments. In the case of chronic stress, it is therefore very important to take measures to reduce stress.

How do you reduce stress in dogs?

If your dog is suffering from stress or anxiety, it is important to take action. First, try to figure out what is causing the stress. Not sure what is causing the stress? Then consult a veterinarian to find out if there might be another cause. In addition, here are some general tips to reduce stress.

Tips to reduce stress in your dog

🌿 Immerse yourself in your dog’s behavior and body language. When you know how to recognize stress quickly, you can also act on it quickly. It is therefore wise to study your dog’s behavior so that you can also recognize which situations cause stress.

🌿 Reduce stressors. Once you know what factors cause stress, you can reduce these factors. Of course, this does not apply to every situation. You can’t avoid the vet, of course, but you can figure out what the stressor is at the vet. Are there often large dogs in the waiting room at the vet that your dog is afraid of? If so, try making an appointment at a quieter time, for example, to reduce that particular stressor.

🌿 Provide an outlet. It is important to provide an outlet when your dog builds up a lot of tension. Choose something that you find your dog enjoys for himself, such as a walk in the woods, tracking or an agility course.

🌿 Provides a safe place. Make sure your dog has a safe, quiet place where he can retreat. Consider a crate or a basket in a quiet, fixed spot. Chewing and licking works to relieve stress, so also provide a nice bone or licking mat.

🌿 Support with soothing supplements. There are several tranquilizers to support your dog during stress or anxiety. Preferably choose a pure supplement without sugar that contributes to relaxation in a natural way. For example, choose a supplement with magnesium. Magnesium is an important mineral that has a relaxing effect on the nervous system. Other natural, effective substances that contribute to relaxation include L-tryptophan and passion flower.