Stressed dog: the different causes
Why is my dog stressed? The different sources of anxiety
Is your dog stressed ? Let's learn to decode it. Stress is a set of physical and physiological reactions that your dog may experience during anxious moments. Stress is a normal reaction, but if it becomes chronic, it is considered a pathology. It's then essential to help your dog as best as possible to protect them mentally and physically.What are the symptoms of a stressed dog and what can be done to help it?
Before helping your dog, it's important to understand what stress is. Stress is defined as the body's reactions to certain situations. These reactions can be emotional or physical. Stress is a natural and normal reaction. It allows the dog to survive and maintain its behavioral capacity to respond quickly to a stressful event. Stress is not a conscious choice for the dog. However, if your dog experiences stress regularly or chronically, it can lead to physiological, behavioral, and physical problems. In such cases, the underlying cause must be addressed to treat the symptoms.Which dogs are affected by stress?
All dogs can experience stress at some point in their lives, or even repeatedly. None are immune to this emotion. However, those most affected are those who are naturally sensitive. Dogs that have had poor development are more prone to stress than others. Indeed, to learn about life, during its development, a puppy will explore its new environment around its mother and seek reassurance from her. If this stage is not experienced or is handled poorly, the puppy will likely have difficulty adapting in the future and will be prone to stress. Sudden changes can disorient the animal and cause it stress. Furthermore, events such as moving house, going on vacation , staying in a kennel, rearranging furniture, the arrival of a new person in the home (dog, human, or any other species), or illness can greatly affect a dog. A trauma or accident plays a significant role in a dog's stress response, because in addition to the potential physical consequences, the dog will remember what happened. This memory will then trigger stress when the dog experiences a similar or related event. Stress can also originate from the owner. An owner who puts pressure on their dog, uses coercive methods, or worse, beats their dog, will inevitably create chronic stress in their pet. The key is to analyze the situation to determine the source of this anxiety.
Symptoms and Complications Related to Stress in Dogs
In dogs, stress can trigger behavioral problems, as well as health issues. It is therefore important not to ignore this complex emotional state in order to preserve the dog's well-being. Here are the signs and complications that can arise due to stress:- Emotionally: the dog will be irritable, anxious, distressed and insecure.
- Mentally: your dog will have difficulty concentrating, learning, and will be less able to listen to its owner's commands. It might even put itself in danger to try to physically escape whatever is stressing it.
- Physically: He may become thin, have a dull coat, or experience hair loss. This can trigger allergies, as the immune system is weakened.
- Behaviors and complications: self-mutilation; the dog will lick itself into wounds on its paws, back, rump, and tail. The dog may react aggressively when necessary. It may become house-trained or destructive in your home.
