About Anxiety in Dogs

Does your dog have anxiety?

For many dogs, stress and anxiety are facts of daily life. Yep. It’s true. Dogs can have anxiety, too.

Anxious dogs show their stress in a few ways. The most common symptoms are howling or barking when you’re away from home, peeing or pooping in the house, and destroying furniture.

Some dogs show their anxiety in quieter ways, like compuslive behaviors and depression. Some dogs pace. Others shake or lick their lips repeatedly.

Dogs become anxious for a wide variety of reasons.

You can identify the cause of your dog’s anxiety by closely monitoring their behaviors over time. Symptoms of anxiety usually appear after a certain trigger appears in the environment and disappear after that trigger is gone or resolved.

The most common form of anxiety in dogs is separation anxiety. Many dogs experience intense anxiety when they’re left alone or without their primary caregiver. If that’s you, you might find that your dog becomes upset when you leave the house, not calming down until you get back. Other dogs experience anxiety due to loud noises like fireworks and thunderstorms. Finally, some dogs have general anxiety. Dogs with chronic general anxiety show symptoms like resource guarding (being protective of food and territory) and may be very uncomfortable with changes in routine.

Here’s the good news: you can help your dog feel better

Whether your dog has separation anxiety, trembles at loud noises, or suffers from chronic anxiety due to past trauma, you can help them to feel better. Your dog’s unique stress solution will depend on their personality and anxiety triggers, but most dogs do well with a combination of physical touch, soothing environments, and the removal of any anxiety triggers.

The following are a few of our favorite ways to help anxious dogs de-stress and feel better:

– Direct physical contact (hugs and cuddles!)
– Exercise (going for walks, agility training, playing fetch)
– Massage
– Music therapy
– Quiet time
– Calming vests
– Synthetic pheromone collars
– Synthetic pheromone diffusers
– Supplements and calming treats
– Medications
– Calming beds and blankets

With a combination of softness, support, and a comforting texture, the Original Calming Bed™ combines several principles shown to help alleviate stress and make anxious pups feel safe.

Learn More

We’re confident in what the Original Calming Bed™ can do for anxious dogs, but it’s not a complete solution for everyone. If your dog continues to show signs of anxiety or you’re worried that it’s getting worse, don’t hesitate to see a veterinarian.