{"id":10786,"date":"2023-04-19T09:20:25","date_gmt":"2023-04-19T16:20:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/osfbl01.justfoodfordogs.com\/?p=10786"},"modified":"2026-08-08T11:37:31","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T18:37:31","slug":"understanding-anxiety-in-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/understanding-anxiety-in-dogs","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Anxiety in Dogs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you or a loved one has ever had anxiety, you know it can be exhausting to get through the day. The same is true for dogs. The many different causes of anxiety in dogs, if not addressed, can cause long-term fear throughout your pup\u2019s life. Knowing which form of anxiety your dog suffers from is the first step to providing your furbaby with relief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to keep an eye out for outward indications<\/a> of an anxious dog. Take note in order to communicate with your vet and find the best options for treatment. These could include excessive barking, licking, panting, destroying household items, aggression, or diarrhea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Behavioral and Situational Anxiety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dogs typically experience two main types of anxiety: behavioral and situational.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Behavioral anxiety<\/strong> <\/em>is a constant anxious feeling about something. Separation anxiety, for example, is one type of behavioral stress that many pet owners witness at home. You\u2019ll notice these dogs, also known as \u201cvelcro dogs,\u201d act up while you are gone (chewing furniture, having accidents inside, etc.) due to the stress of being alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of anxiousness is thought to be more common (though it is not always the case) in shelter pets who have been to multiple homes, been abused, or have lost someone close to them, as well as very human-dependent breeds who tend to rely on our companionship more than others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Situational anxiety<\/em>,<\/strong> on the other hand, occurs during unusual situations that prevent your pup from calming down. These can include thunderstorms, vet visits, car rides, or holidays (especially the Fourth of July and Halloween).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anxiety also comes with old age. Similar to Alzheimer\u2019s in humans, senior dogs<\/a> tend to develop Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD)or \u201cdoggy dementia\u201d as they grow older. A study<\/a> performed at the Behavior Clinic at the University of California, Davis showed that 28 percent of dogs 11-to-12 years old, and 68 percent of dogs 15-to-16 years old, showed one or more signs of cognitive impairment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs to watch out for include pacing, disorientation, staring incessantly at one spot, and changes in sleep schedule. It is always important to talk to your vet if you notice any of these symptoms, as they could be something else entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Ease Your Dog’s Anxiety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

During bouts of anxiety, there are things you can do as a pet owner to help ease your dog\u2019s nervousness:<\/p>\n\n\n\n