Understanding Dog Anxiety
Your dog is your fur baby. He or she is a member of the family and a loyal companion. So it can be incredibly challenging to see your furry friend in pain of any kind. While it is pretty obvious that you need to take your dog to the veterinarian when you discover that he or she is sick or injured, it can be a bit harder to know what to do when you see that your dog is in emotional distress or even worse your dog not eating!
Anxiety in dogs can be caused by a number of different stressors, some of which are related to age, separation from you, or past trauma. No matter the cause, there are steps that you can take to help your buddy cope with anxiety and lead a calmer, happier life. Not to mention that you can even find out the dog lifespan before getting one.
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Recognizing Anxiety
When you see your dog in emotional distress, it can be tough to tell if he is suffering from anxiety or something else. Firstly, if you suspect at all that your dog is reacting to a physical problem, you should consult your vet as soon as possible. Many dogs will act differently than they usually do at the onset of an illness or injury, so it is always worth at least giving the vet a call to make sure this isn’t the case for your pup.
If you ascertain that your dog isn’t physically unwell but is rather feeling anxious about something, you should try to find out what it is that is causing this by closely observing their behavior and the situations that trigger their anxiety symptoms. While it isn’t always possible to discover exactly what is causing your dog’s anxiety, there are a few common causes to consider:
- Being separated from you
- Past abandonment
- Former trauma
- Fear of loud noises
Sometimes the solution to your dog’s anxiety can be as simple as removing the trigger for it. More often than not, though, you will have to take additional steps once you recognize that your dog is suffering from anxiety.
Helping Your Dog Cope
Depending on the root cause of your dog’s anxiety, there are a few things you can do to help him cope. Some solutions might be general lifestyle adjustments, while others will be reactive when a trigger occurs.
When your dog suffers from anxiety as a result of a trigger, you will have to be prepared to react accordingly. Try to remove the trigger if possible, and create a calm environment. You can also give your pet a safe CBD supplement, like the ones found at ceebeedoo.com, to help him relax.
If you know that your dog becomes uneasy when the two of you are separated, it is important to create a solid routine so that he will know when to expect your return. For instance, if you work away from home, try your best to leave and come back at the same time every day. This will make it easier for your pup to deal with your absence because he will know that it will only be for a finite amount of time.
