There are many reasons why your pet might be feeling stressed. Changes in their routine, their environment, a new home, or even something as innocuous as a new piece of furniture can increase your pet’s stress levels. We asked our Freshpet vet, Dr. Aziza, to provide some insight into the signs that your cat or dog is facing stress, as well as what to expect. you can do to reduce it.
What are the top signs of stress in dogs?
When dogs are stressed, there are several ways for them to show it. Some of the top signs include:
- Standing/sitting motionless or “stiff”
- tempo
- Gasp
- Lick too much
- Drooling
- Hide
- Whale eyes (the white part of the eye, easily seen when the eyes are very open or wide open)
- Change ear position
- No appetite
- Dilated pupils
- Inappropriate urination or defecation
- Increased hair loss
- Tucked tail
- Growl
- Wail
- Bark
A stressed dog may not exhibit all of these signs at once, so it’s important for pet parents to be familiar with the different ways stress can manifest itself. This way, they can recognize if their dog is starting to show more signs and intervene as soon as possible.
What are the top signs of stress in cats?
Cats under stress exhibit similar behavior to dogs, with the top signs being:
- Hide
- Standing/sitting motionless or “stiff”
- Inappropriate urination or defecation
- tempo
- Excessive grooming
- Dilated pupils
- Vocal
- No appetite
- Increased hair loss
- Tucked tail
- Growl
- purr
What sets cats apart is that their stress cues tend to be a little more subtle than that of dogs. In particular, it can be difficult for pet parents to connect with stress because it is often seen as a positive behavior.
Does my pet understand when I’m sad or angry, and does that stress them out?
There is some scientific research showing that dogs can sense and reflect human emotions, including stress and anxiety. Dogs are very receptive to facial expressions, voices, and even the chemicals found in body odor, all of which show emotions such as stress. They also tend to be empathetic, which means they may begin to experience the same emotions they are aware of.
So in a way, a pet owner’s negative emotions like sadness or anger can stress their pet. On the other hand, positive emotions like happiness can also positively affect your pet!
What are the signs that my dog is unwell?
Some of the signs that your dog is stressed may also indicate that they are not feeling well. However, there are some important things that indicate your dog is dealing with more than just feelings of stress. Some of the main signs of disease in dogs include:
- No appetite
- Raise your voice / groan
- Don’t care about playtime
- Comatose
- Tremble
- Vomiting / Diarrhea
- Gasp
- Sleeping too much
- Body language (tail wagging, ear posture)
If your dog has any of these symptoms, it’s important to schedule an appointment with the vet to see if they’re dealing with an underlying illness.
Where do cats and dogs usually do not like to be petted?
Most dogs and cats love to be petted, but there are places on their bodies that can be stressful if touched. Some of these include:
- Vertex
- Feet
- Foot
- Tail
- Genitals
- Anal area
When giving your cat or dog affection, instead of petting these areas that can cause stress, try more neutral positions like their chest, shoulders, or neck. If you have young children, you should also take the time to Teach them how to properly interact with your pet.
How can I relieve my pet’s stress?
There are four main ways you can reduce your pet’s stress:
- Diet: A great way to reduce your pet’s stress is to start with healthy dog food diet. A well-balanced diet, fed with appropriate portions, will lead to a healthy body ready for a variety of activities. Exercise and playtime are crucial to your pet’s mental health and well-being. Having a balanced diet with high quality ingredients supports the body in these activities. The best dog food a diet rich in essential fatty acids, like Freshpet’s Nature’s Fresh® Seedless Salmon and Sea White Fish FormulaIt also helps maintain good brain health.
- Book: Pets suffering from anxiety benefit greatly from having a reliable schedule. They feel comfortable knowing when mealtimes, walks, playtimes and also their pet owner’s schedule are scheduled.
- Exercise: As mentioned earlier, exercise is of great help to anxiety-free pets, especially dogs with a lot of energy. An inability to use that energy can manifest in destructive behavior, like chewing on things, which is often rooted in stress and anxiety.
- Self care: Make sure you take care of yourself and your mental health. As discussed above, your dog can tell when you’re stressed and it can affect them. This is why it is essential that you find healthy ways to relieve stress as you will also help reduce your pet’s exposure to stress.
Are there any supplements or foods I can feed my pet to help calm them down?
There are a number of supplements that help pets feel calmer, as they contain active ingredients to reduce your pet’s anxiety and stress. To find out which product is a good choice for your pet, contact your primary care veterinarian for more information.
We hope that Dr. Aziza’s answer gives you more insight into the signs that your cat or dog is facing stress. If you suspect that this is happening to your pet, talk to your veterinary team. They will be able to work with you to find the best solution to reduce your pet’s feelings of stress.
