Did you know that dogs can suffer from anxiety, just as people can? There are things you can do to help your furry friend cope. However, before you can address the issue, you’ll need to hone in on exactly what your pooch is upset about. A London, ON vet lists a few common causes of doggy anxiety below.
Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is, for practical purposes, essentially a fear of abandonment. This is particularly common in shelter dogs, as many of them have been abandoned by or separated from beloved owners before. Separation anxiety has been on the rise recently, as many pets have been left alone for the first time since the pandemic started. Walk and play with Fido before you leave, and offer puzzle toys and other stimulation, such as a radio.
Social Anxiety
Social anxiety can develop for many reasons. Fido may not have been properly socialized as a puppy. Or, he may have had a bad experience which left him fearful. If your four-legged friend is reactive, work with a pet behaviorist to teach him how to cope and help him behave properly around others.
Illness
Being sick can be pretty stressful. That’s true for both people and pets! If your canine pal only recently seems to be acting anxious, have your vet examine him. We recommend this even if you can’t see anything wrong: many medical problems are invisible to the naked eye, particularly in their early stages. It’s also just important to rule out any potential health issues. If Fido does get the all-clear, you can move on to other potential causes.
Environmental
Many things could fall under environmental anxiety. For instance, this would include things like fireworks and thunderstorms, both of which terrify many of our canine companions. Fido may also be scared of specific places, such as the beach or the animal clinic.
General
Sometimes it isn’t clear why a pooch is nervous. Or, you may just not have the information you need to put the pieces together. Dogs can also get anxious about major changes in their environment, or sometimes if they aren’t getting along with another pet. This is particularly common in certain breeds, such as German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, and Greyhounds.
Do you know or suspect that your canine companion could benefit from behavioral counseling? Contact us, your London, ON animal clinic, today!
