Is your dog stressed? Detect and relieve stress in your pet

In our increasingly busy world, it's not just humans who experience stress ; our pets can suffer from its effects, too. Recognizing the symptoms of stress in the pets around us is crucial to ensuring their well-being and happiness as well as becoming the responsible pet owners they deserve to be.

In this article, we will provide you with the tools you need to identify your dog's stress and act accordingly . Get ready to strengthen the bond with your pet and create a harmonious space where both can thrive.

How does stress manifest itself in pets and why is it important to provide solutions?

Animals , just like humans, have basic needs for their well-being: access to sufficient food and water , sleeping in a safe place, etc. But we should not minimize the impact of perhaps less obvious factors in the lives of our pets. Our responsibility as owners, from the day we decide to adopt an animal, is to effectively feed it and give it a home , also to care for it and avoid any type of mistreatment. Among the care that our pets need is physical activity and mental stimulation , and the love and attention they receive in their daily lives. When they lack these, they can begin to tense up and develop stress .

Stress in animals can lead to unpleasant behavior and even long-term illness . Changes in canine behavior can provide us with good clues about the stress they are suffering from. For example, if your dog destroys objects, chews furniture or shoes , he may be bored or stressed . If he urinates inside, or where he shouldn't, it can also be a sign that something is not right.

If the change is sudden, it is worth asking yourself what has changed in the animal's life and trying to find new ways to solve it.

How do I know if my dog ​​is stressed?

The most common stress symptoms in dogs

Every dog ​​is different, but if yours is suffering from stress, he will most likely show one or more of the following symptoms:

• Hyperactivity : Your dog is overly active, unable to sit still. He doesn't seem able to rest when you're around, he won't lie down. He seems overstimulated without the circumstances justifying this behavior.

• Difficulty concentrating : Your dog does not listen or does not obey. Even if he has been trained, he no longer recognizes commands.

• Excessive or erratic reactions : constant panting (abnormal if not exercising or if the weather is not especially hot), easily startled, barking.

• Itching and hair loss : Your dog scratches a lot and loses hair outside of shedding seasons.

• Changes in physical functions : refuses food / does not relieve himself in the correct place.

These symptoms usually arise after a change: travel, moving, absence of caregivers, having to live with other animals , or conversely a sudden lack of socialization with dogs . A change in activity level can also cause stress, especially if walks become less long or frequent and are not compensated with indoor activities, for example.

Most dogs are sensitive to noise . Those that are not used to the city can experience acute stress when they arrive in an environment so different from their life in a private home/garden. Thunderstorms and fireworks are also an issue for many dogs.

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Solutions to minimize stress in dogs

If you notice a change in your pet's behavior, first try to understand what the source is in order to provide the most appropriate solution. If you are not sure, try several strategies.

• Give him attention and love : Even if you have to leave your house, try to create spaces of complicity with your dog once or twice a day. Talk to him, pet him, play with him.

• Increase activity level : Taking your dog out for another walk each day or changing something in his routine (taking him to the dog park for example) can be very fruitful. The walk doesn't have to be longer, it can be a trained walk to increase his complicity / work on his concentration.

• Provide solutions to boredom and stress : Leaving your dog intelligence toys or chew treats can help. Try leaving a video with calming noises when you leave, or putting on the radio or TV.

If your problem is not resolved or worsens, do not hesitate to go to a canine behavior professional, a veterinarian or ethologist who will be able to give you a personalized diagnosis. If you notice changes in your dog's habits, if you are concerned about your pet's health, it is essential to look for a specific one for your situation.