The Telltale Signs of Anxiety in Dogs Parents Should Be Aware Of
A report by the American Pet Products Association indicated that about 68% of American households had a pet, with dogs accounting to nearly 90 million. Despite getting the best care, most of these dogs are prone to anxiety now and then. You probably wouldn’t imagine a dog can suffer from stress considering they only eat, sleep, and play.
Yet, dogs face several struggles despite being with a family that cares. Regardless of their seemingly stress-free life, dogs often face anxiety. Fortunately, you can use CBD oil to relieve anxiety and stress in your dog.
Here are signs of anxiety in dogs that you should look out for to ensure timely treatment.
Non-Stop Barking
Often, dogs communicate through barking. They will bark to alert you of suspicious noise or movement. In some cases, they might bark uncontrollably without a cause.
If your dog is barking without an apparent reason and soothing isn’t helping, you’re probably dealing with an anxious pet. When dogs are under duress, the constant whine is for self-soothing or to get your attention. You can try to make your home relaxing as an immediate treatment approach.
Shaking and Pacing
Dogs with anxiety tend to pace abnormally. Typically, your dog will pace around the room as a sign of boredom. A dog can even roll and shake on grass, which is quite a sight to behold.
However, some dogs can pace unusually if they are dealing with stressful situations. An anxious dog is likely to pace in circular patterns or walking back and forth in a straight line. You can start by taking the anxious dog for a walk to beat off the feeling.
Ultimately, you might need to get CBD oil for your dog. The benefits of CBD oil for dogs dealing with anxiety are undeniable. Besides addressing the anxiety, CBD oil will have other significant benefits for your furry friend.
Yawning
Constant yawning is one of the signs of anxiety in dogs that you’re likely to miss. Dog owners relate yawning to being sleepy or tired. However, stressed dogs tend to yawn continuously.
If your dog is yawning and turning the head, you might need to consider calming the dog. This kind of yawning is a sign of nervousness you wouldn’t want to ignore. It is usually longer than the usual yawn.
The yawning is followed by licking and drooling. If your dog has been licking the lips and other non-food things, it’s time to consult with a vet. Identifying these signs can promote early treatment, which reduces the severity of anxiety.
Changes in Ears and Eyes
Are you wondering why your dog has those half-moon eyes when children attempt to hug the pet? Well, the little pet is stressed, and the interaction with kids isn’t enticing anymore. Anxious dogs also have dilated pupils, and with the eyes wide open, you’ll be more likely to see the sclera.
Besides, anxiety in dogs causes rapid eye blinking. Conversely, the ears will be behind the head and are more alert. You’ll need to get anxiety treatment for dogs to prevent the condition from escalating.
Once you know the right CBD dosage for your dog, you won’t need to take your pet to the vet. The graduated droppers that come with the CBD oil tincture will help you get the right dosage. It would help to start with a low dosage and increase as desired.
Hiding
Anxious dogs hide from people or situations that are causing nervousness. Hiding can range from cowering in the corner of the room or behind your legs. The dog might even run away from the house in an attempt to hide.
Not unless the cause of fear is something that can hurt your dog, you need to train them to face the things or situations they consider scary. A dog trainer can help your dog through several techniques. At first, you need to remove the source of fear then re-introduce gradually until the dog gets over the fear.
Tail Wagging
A recent poll showed that 36% of older adults who have a pet are less likely to suffer from loneliness. Having a dog wagging its tail as it welcomes you is mind-blowing. You’ll even forget you have been living alone.
However, tail wagging in dogs shouldn’t always get you excited as it can be a sign of anxiety. Some anxious dogs tend to thump their tails slowly. If you identify this sign, you need to make your dog be at ease while doing away with sources of discomfort within your house.
Bond more with your dog and introduce several play activities. With relaxation, your dog will start acting normally within no time. You can introduce CBD oil if the symptoms escalate despite the soothing techniques.
Exhibiting Aggressive Behavior
Signs of anxiety in dogs include aggression, which manifests through unusually hostile behavior. Aggression in dogs can emanate from several sources, such as pain or possession. Anxiety-related aggression occurs when a dog faces an unpleasant or uncertain situation.
The aggression related to anxiety is the most common. A dog will display offensive or defensive behavior such as destroying furniture, howling at passers-by, and urinating anywhere. If you don’t know how to help dogs with anxiety, it would be advisable to call in a vet if the aggressive behavior persists.
Some of the early signs of aggression include biting, snapping, and growling. The symptoms show mild anxiety, but when your dog starts showing aggression, the anxiety is probably at its peak. It is important to treat anxiety before it becomes a disorder.
Pet Owners Need To Keep Checking Signs of Anxiety in Dogs for Timely Treatment
If you’re familiar with your pets, you’ll identify signs of anxiety in dogs before they worsen. The first step should be the removal of the stressor to calm the dog. You’ll be surprised at how a walk with the dog can ease the nervousness.
It is crucial to call the vet if the level of anxiety seems high. You can also consider giving CBD oil in the right dosage. Consult with your vet before administering any medication.
Contact us today for any questions or concerns on CBD products for your dog.