Canine Stress & Anxiety: Uncovering the Causes (Part 1)

Dogs, like humans, experience stress and anxiety in various ways. While some stress is natural and even beneficial, chronic or extreme distress can have serious effects on a dog's well-being. As responsible pet owners, understanding the causes of stress and anxiety in dogs can help us manage and reduce their impact.

This is the first instalment of a two-part series on canine stress and anxiety. In this part, I will focus on identifying the causes of stress in dogs. Stay tuned for Part 2, where I will explore effective solutions to help manage and alleviate stress in our furry companions.

Types of Stress in Dogs

Canine stress can be classified into two main categories: physical and psychological stress.

• Physical Stress: This can result from illness, injury, or chronic pain. If a dog is unwell, their body undergoes physiological changes that can contribute to increased anxiety and stress levels.

• Psychological Stress: This can be either positive (eustress) or negative (distress). Positive stress might occur when a dog anticipates a walk, causing a temporary rise in cortisol levels. On the other hand, distress triggers a fight, flight, or freeze response, which can lead to long-term health problems if not managed properly.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common causes of canine anxiety and distress.

1. Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is one of the most well-documented causes of stress in dogs, affecting around 20% of the canine population (Sargisson, 2014). Dogs with separation anxiety often exhibit destructive behaviours, excessive vocalisation, or house soiling when left alone. They also display extreme excitement when their owners return.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this issue, as many dogs became accustomed to constant human presence during lockdowns. When owners returned to work, dogs that had never been alone before developed severe separation anxiety. Unfortunately, this condition is a leading reason for dogs being surrendered to shelters, where they may continue to struggle with anxiety in new homes (Stephan & Ledger, 2007).

Several factors can increase a dog’s likelihood of experiencing separation anxiety:

• Sleeping in the owner’s bed

• Free feeding (food always available)

• Living in adult-only households

2. Noise Sensitivity

Loud noises, such as fireworks, thunderstorms, or household appliances, can be significant stressors for dogs. Studies suggest that up to 41% of dogs fear fireworks, with rescue dogs being particularly vulnerable (Salonen et al., 2020).

Noise anxiety can manifest in various ways, including:

• Trembling or hiding

• Barking excessively

• Attempting to escape

3. Disruptions to Routine

Dogs thrive on consistency. Any interruption to their routine—such as vet visits, unexpected guests, or changes in their daily schedule—can trigger stress and anxiety (Gagliano et al., 2008). Some dogs may react to these changes with destructive behaviour or withdrawal.

4. Unmet Natural Needs

Dogs have instinctual needs, including physical exercise, mental stimulation, and social interaction. When these needs are not met, frustration, anxiety, and even depression can occur (Fan et al., 2023). Dogs require structured activities that cater to their breed-specific instincts, such as:

• Walks and playtime

• Puzzle toys and training sessions

• Socialisation with other dogs and humans

5. Interspecies Miscommunication

Miscommunication between dogs and humans is a major cause of stress. Dogs rely heavily on body language to communicate, and when owners misinterpret their signals, confusion and anxiety can arise. Additionally, inconsistent training methods, yelling, or punishment-based discipline can erode trust and increase a dog’s stress levels (Fan et al., 2023).

Final Thoughts

This concludes Part 1 of our series on canine stress and anxiety. Understanding the causes of stress is the first step in creating a healthier, happier life for our dogs. In Part 2, I will explore effective solutions to help manage and alleviate stress. Stay tuned!

References;

Gagliano, H., Fuentes, S., Nadal, R. and Armario, A., 2008. Previous exposure to immobilisation and repeated exposure to a novel environment demonstrate a marked dissociation between behavioral and pituitary–adrenal responses. Behavioural brain research, 187(2), pp.239-245.

Fan, Z., Bian, Z., Huang, H., Liu, T., Ren, R., Chen, X., Zhang, X., Wang, Y., Deng, B. and Zhang, L., 2023. Dietary Strategies for Relieving Stress in Pet Dogs and Cats. Antioxidants, 12(3), p.545.

Salonen, M., Sulkama, S., Mikkola, S., Puurunen, J., Hakanen, E., Tiira, K., Araujo, C. and Lohi, H., 2020. Prevalence, comorbidity, and breed differences in canine anxiety in 13,700 Finnish pet dogs. Scientific reports, 10(1), p.2962.

Sargisson, R.J., 2014. Canine separation anxiety: strategies for treatment and management. Veterinary Medicine: Research and Reports, pp.143-151.

Stephen, J. and Ledger, R., 2007. Relinquishing dog owners’ ability to predict behavioural problems in shelter dogs post adoption. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 107(1-2), pp.88-99.