Anxiety in Dogs: What It Is and How To Help Your Pup

Anxiety in dogs happens when your dog is uneasy about something and sees it as a potential threat. In fact, canine anxiety is pretty similar to human anxiety.  

While it may occur in response to a clear and present stimulus, anxiety can manifest even in the absence of an actual trigger. 

Veterinarians generally group anxiety into two categories: 

• Situational anxiety: This happens in specific moments, like before a car ride or a vet visit. It’s often triggered by warning signs your dog has learned to notice, such as seeing their carrier come out. 
• Generalized anxiety: This sticks around all the time, often with no clear trigger, and can get in the way of everyday things like eating or spending time with the family.  

There’s no single cause of anxiety in dogs. More often, it’s a mix of nature and nurture.  

Here are some key factors:  

• Genetics and breed: Some dogs are simply born with a more sensitive temperament.  
• Inadequate socialization: Puppies who miss out on positive exposure to a variety of people, places, sounds, and animals during the key socialization window (roughly 8–16 weeks of age) may grow into more anxious adults. 
• Traumatic experiences: A single frightening event, like too-rough playing with another dog, can have a lasting effect. 
• Medical conditions and pain: Physical and mental health are closely linked. Illness or chronic pain, such as arthritis, can lower a dog’s threshold for stress. 
• Aging: In senior dogs, age-related brain changes can cause confusion and anxiety. 
• Instability or change: Repeated rehoming, time in a shelter, a move, a new household member, or a change in routine can all trigger anxious episodes. 

Dogs can’t tell us when they feel anxious, but their body language often gives it away.  

Common signs of anxiety and stress include: 

• Dilated pupils, often with the whites of the eyes showing (“whale eye”) 
• Hiding, running away, cowering under furniture, or avoiding eye contact 
• Tucked tail and lowered body 
• Lip licking and yawning 
• Excessive shedding 
• Peeing more often, diarrhea, or accidents in the house 
• Sleeping more than usual or sudden hyperactivity 
• Destructive behavior 
• Panting and shaking 
• Pacing  
• Whining or barking more than normal 
• Changes in appetite 

Separation anxiety is a specific type of anxiety triggered when a dog is apart from their primary caregiver or left alone.  

While general anxiety can crop up at any time, separation anxiety is directly tied to your absence. 

Common signs include: 

• Destructive behavior, often near doors or windows 
• Excessive howling or barking when left alone 
• Accidents in the house from an otherwise house-trained dog 
• Drooling or excessive salivation 
• Self-trauma, such as excessive chewing or licking  

Work closely with your veterinarian or a behavioral specialist if your dog has severe symptoms, such as:  

• Self-injury: Your dog is hurting themselves by licking, chewing, or trying to escape a crate or room. 
• Aggression: Worry is escalating into growling, snapping, or biting. 
• Poor quality of life: Your dog cannot enjoy normal walks or play. 
• Physical signs of stress: Ongoing diarrhea, vomiting, or a complete loss of appetite during anxious episodes. 
• Sudden changes: A senior dog who suddenly becomes fearful or anxious for no clear reason may need extra help.  

If your dog’s anxiety is mild and occasional, you may be able to try at-home calming steps with your veterinarian’s approval. 

Set up a dedicated safe zone where your dog can retreat from the noise and activity of the house. Include the essentials, like a cozy bed and—if your dog finds a crate comforting—a crate with soft padding or a blanket.  

A crate cover may also come in handy, and a cozy anxiety vest can help some dogs feel more secure.  

Calming pheromone products, like a diffuser, spray, or collar, may also help by mimicking the soothing scent a mother dog releases to her puppies. 

Certain supplements and diets can help lower a dog’s baseline stress level when offered regularly, though they may take a few weeks to reach full effect.   

Always ask your veterinarian before giving your dog any supplements or new food.  

• Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Calming Care Calming Supplement is a daily probiotic you can mix with your dog’s food.  

• VetriScience Composure Calm & Confident Chews are fast-acting and don’t cause grogginess. 

• ThunderBites Melatonin Calming Chews may reduce stress from car rides, thunderstorms, fireworks, travel, vet visits, and more. 

• Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Calm Dog Food contains hydrolyzed milk protein and L-tryptophan to help manage stress in dogs. 

Calming music or a white noise machine can help mask triggering sounds, such as thunder.  

Some dogs also relax with food puzzles, which redirect their focus to a rewarding task. 

If your dog is in a state of panic, follow these steps: 

1. Stay calm. Dogs pick up on our emotions, and frustration or anger will only make their fear worse. 
2. Offer a hiding spot or crate. A den-like environment may help your dog feel more secure. 
3. Use a familiar cue. If your dog will still take treats—try a calming one—​​​​ask for a simple, well-known behavior, like sit or stay. A target stick can also give your dog a task to focus on as they follow this visual cue.   

4. Comfort them. Never use negative reinforcement or yell at your dog.  

Your veterinarian will usually start with a full physical exam and blood work to rule out medical causes.  

Bringing short video clips of the worrying behavior at home can be very helpful. 

Treatment plans usually combine a few approaches: 

• Identifying triggers: You can then figure out a plan to avoid them as much as possible.  
• Behavior modification: A positive, reward-based plan using desensitization and counter-conditioning can slowly change how your dog feels about a trigger.  
• Medication: Your vet may determine that medication could help support your dog. Some commonly prescribed medications for canine anxiety include:
  • Fluoxetine  

• • Trazodone  

• • Gabapentin  

• • Clomipramine  

• • Dexmedetomidine oromucosal  

For more complex cases, your veterinarian may refer you to a board-certified veterinary behaviorist.  

No. Separation anxiety is a specific type of anxiety triggered only by being apart from a caregiver. General anxiety can happen at any time, with or without a clear trigger. 

This is a general guideline for newly adopted dogs: It often takes about three days to decompress, three weeks to learn your routine, and three months to feel fully secure in a new home.  

Any dog can develop anxiety, but some breeds, especially herding and terrier groups, appear more predisposed to anxiety.  

Stay calm and let them retreat to a safe spot. If your dog will still take treats, ask for a simple, familiar cue to help them refocus.  

A sudden onset of anxiety, especially in senior dogs, is often a sign of physical pain or age-related brain changes. See a vet as soon as you can.  

For mild cases, calming aids and enrichment may be enough. For moderate to severe anxiety, see your vet. They might recommend a prescription medication or behavior modification.