Dog Anxiety: 18 Common Dog Anxiety Symptoms - GoodRx (2024)

Dog anxiety is fairly common. One study found that close to 73% of dogs have at least one anxiety-related behavior.

The good news is there are things you can do to ease the jitters. Here we’ll look at signs your dog stressed out, common triggers, and strategies to manage anxiety.

What signs or symptoms indicate anxiety in your dog?

Symptoms of dog anxiety can vary from dog to dog. You can usually tell though because their behavior will change.

Common signs of dog anxiety include:

1. Excessive barking

Barking is a natural way for dogs to communicate. But a dog that barks nonstop may be trying to tell you they’re stressed out. Anxiety barking typically occurs along with other behaviors, such as pacing.

2. Whining

Whining is another normal way for dogs to communicate. They may whine to tell you something hurts or to greet you when you get home. Whining can also mean your pup is feeling antsy, especially if they’re pacing or trembling at the same time.

3. Destroying things

Destructive behavior is not normal for most dogs. It’s often their way of relieving excess energy and stress.

4. Panting

Dogs pant to cool themselves off in the heat or during exercise. But your pup may also pant when they’re on edge like during a vet visit or a thunderstorm.

5. Licking

Dogs often lick their paws to groom themselves or relieve itchy skin. But sometimes dogs lick compulsively because they're anxious.

6. Shaking

Pups shake for many reasons such as feeling pain or cold. But some dogs tremble when they feel jumpy like on a car ride or when you leave the house.

7. Pacing

Pacing is usually a sign that there’s something wrong. Your pup might walk back and forth in place or walk aimlessly around the house because they’re worried.

8. Anal gland expression

When some dogs become anxious, their anal glands may squirt involuntarily. Your dog has two sacs on either side of their bottoms. The glands in these sacs make a foul-smelling odor that’s unique to your animal. When your pet poops, the glands naturally drain themselves.

9. Peeing or pooping in the house

If a house-trained dog starts having accidents in the house, it could be a sign of distress.

10. Drooling

A little slobber is normal for most pups. If your dog starts drooling more than usual, it could be a sign of anxiety.

11. Aggressiveness

Most dogs aren’t normally aggressive. A pooch that starts to act out repeatedly could have an anxiety disorder.

12. Scratching at the door

Many fur friends scratch the door when they need to go out. Excessive scratching suggests they’re worked up about something.

13. Attempting to escape/run away

A fearful pup may try desperately to run from the situation that’s upsetting them.

14. Lowered tail

Your dog may lower their tail and wag it in a short arc. Or they may wag their tail toward the left side of their body.

15. Dilated/enlarged pupils

When a dog feels tense, their eyes may appear rounder than normal or the whites around their eyes may appear larger. Their pupils may dilate and their eyes look glassy.

16. Tight lips

An anxious pup may keep their mouths closed, pull their lips back at the corners, or tighten their mouths.

17. Raised hackles

The fur along your pet’s back, shoulders, and above the tail may rise when they’re feeling uneasy. This is known as raised hackles.

18. Tense muscles

Your dog’s body may tense up with their weight centered over their four legs.

What triggers dog anxiety?

Dogs can become anxious for various reasons.

Some of the most common causes are:

• Separation anxiety: Your pup may get the jitters when you leave them home alone.

• Fears or phobias: Some dogs get off-kilter when they’re introduced to something new like a stranger, another dog, or an inanimate object. Others develop intense fears or phobias to things like fireworks or vacuum cleaners.

• Aging: Senior dogs can experience cognitive decline and physical discomfort just like people. Hearing and vision loss, joint pain, and the inability to control their pee and poop can make a dog edgier than normal.

What should you do to treat your dog’s anxiety?

For many furry friends, the best way to manage anxiety starts with a visit to the vet. Your vet can give you an official diagnosis or see if there’s an underlying issue. Once your vet figures out what’s going on, they can recommend the best treatment for your pup.

Physical activity

Exercise is a stress reliever for humans and their pets. Long walks and outdoor play can ease tension daily. During stressful situations, a long walk may tire your animal enough to settle their nerves.

Positive reinforcement

You can use positive reinforcement to teach your dog how to calm down. It involves praising and rewarding desired behavior and not punishing unwanted behavior. Work with your pet when they’re calm and rested.

For example, give your animal treats and praise when you train them to sit on command. Expand your training to include going to a comfortable space or lying down on their bed. Your goal is to get your dog to do something settling (like sit next to you) or retreat to a safe place. Then when things get hairy, you can send them to their happy place.

Bear in mind that positive reinforcement doesn’t always work. Your dog may go to their safe space and still feel anxious. If that’s the case, work with your veterinarian to find other solutions.

Medications

Your vet may recommend a prescription medicine to manage your dog’s anxiety. Medications commonly used for dog anxiety include:

• Clomipramine (Clomicalm)

• Amitriptyline (Elavil)

• Fluoxetine (Prozac)

• Sertraline (Zoloft)

• Paroxetine (Paxil)

• Buspirone (Buspar)

• Propranolol (Inderal)

• Selegiline (Anipryl)

• Alprazolam (Xanax)

• Diazepam (Valium)

• Lorazepam (Ativan)

Environmental changes

Create a safe space in your home for your pet. It can be a crate with a comfortable bed or a room with a favorite blanket and food toys. Give them treats and affection when they retreat to their happy place.

For a pup that’s fearful of fireworks, thunder, or separation, a safe space should offer comfort and distractions.

Natural products

Natural products are non-prescription remedies that may help address your dog’s symptoms. They may use vitamins, minerals, or herbs to address a health problem.

There are several natural products available that might benefit an anxious dog:

• Pheromones: Available as a spray, diffuser, or collar, these products release pheromones associated with a mother dog’s calming presentence.

• L-theanine: An ingredient contained in supplement brands such as Anxitane believed to help with anxiety.

• Melatonin: The supplement melatonin in a dog-safe form can help with dog anxiety.

• Hydrolyzed milk protein: A supplement like the brand Zylkene contains hydrolyzed milk protein that may induce calming.

Can anxiety in dogs be prevented?

Our fur babies are funny creatures. It’s hard to know what’s going to set them off. Prevention strategies may ward off anxiety before it becomes a problem.

Here are some things you can do to help:

• Maintain a daily routine, including scheduled walks and meals.

• Play with your dog to release excess energy and promote bonding.

• Create a comfortable space with toys, a bed and blanket, and a food toy.

• Socialize your pet by introducing them to other people, places, and dogs.

• Work on obedience training, which can help your dog learn to settle down in stressful situations.

• Avoid situations that might trigger your dog, such as outdoor events with fireworks.