3 Reasons Your Dog Might Be Feeling Anxious And Irritable

We all want dogs to show love and affection toward us. We want them to play with the kids, walk calmly around the block, and settle down when we’re busy, but not all dogs are the same.

Like humans, dogs also have personalities; some are easier to manage than others. If your dog avoids eye contact, retreats to a quiet corner in the house, looks for hiding places, and can’t settle down, they probably have an anxiety disorder. 

So what is it that makes a dog anxious?

Let’s take a look:

Separation Anxiety

If your dog only seems to get anxious when their primary caretaker isn’t around, they likely have separation anxiety. Dogs are loving creatures and they get very attached to their caretakers. Therefore, separation anxiety is very common among them.

That being said, a dog should be able to entertain themselves for a few hours. Bad experiences usually cause separation anxiety in dogs, especially when they may have felt abandoned in the past. It can also be the result of old age, triggered by a decline in cognitive functioning and memory loss.  

You can treat separation anxiety by walking them before you head out, dropping a stuffed toy to keep them entertained, and avoiding drawing attention to yourself as you leave.

Past Trauma

Not all dogs have great experiences in the shelter; they have an unstable routine and an unnatural environment that makes them nervous and anxious. 

When you adopt a dog from the shelter, make a point to develop a routine to help them understand they’re safe and are being taken care of. If the anxiety stays, consider working with a trainer or a dog behaviorist.

Illness

If your dog has recently started showing signs of anxiety, they may be ill. Pets can’t tell us when they’re sick; we have to figure that out for them.

Dogs that have become anxious may suffer from conditions like hypothyroidism, thyrotoxicosis, encephalitis, pre-diabetes, and other health conditions. 

Take your doctor to the vet if you suspect they’re unwell.

Don’t have time to take your dog to the vet? We got you! Bark Industries offers all kinds of pet care services in Chicago, including pet taxi, dog walking, and dog sitting. 

If you need help taking care of your dog, give us a call.