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Can You Recognize These 4 Signs of Stress in Your Dog?
Anyone who has ever been owned by a dog (yes, you read that right!) understands only too well that dogs really can talk to you. Of course, they don’t use human language but their body language and certain behavioral changes speak volumes if you pay attention! If your dog is acting a bit strangely, could it be that your dog is suffering from stress? Although you notice that something is going on with your fur baby, maybe you haven’t been able to pinpoint the cause. Here are some of the ways to determine whether or not stress could be a factor in those behavioral changes and some of what you can do to help your buddy through this stressful time.
Begin with the Eyes
According to many vets and trainers, dogs can develop what is often referred to as a ‘half moon eye.’ This is noticeable when they move their eyes from side to side. You’ll notice a crescent shape in the whites of their eyes, but even then, this is not definitive. It’s time to move on to other telltale symptoms of canine stress. When researching this symptom, you can also refer to ‘whale eye’ as it’s often called.
Move on to the Tail
Oddly, a wagging tail isn’t always a sign of pleasure! If you notice that only the tip of the tail is wagging, something is wrong somewhere. A tail tucked between the legs is a commonly understood sign of stress, but a tail posed in any unusual way can also be indicative of stress.
Ears and Hackles
Then there are the ears and that scruff of fur from your dog’s neck down the center of its back, referred to as hackles. If your dog’s ears usually flop a bit and seemed relaxed, that’s a very good thing. However, if you notice that your dog is walking around with suddenly rigid, upwards pointing ears, something is probably bothering him. Fur standing rigid along a dog’s back is such a common sign of stress that it’s filtered into human experience. Have you ever heard it said, “What’s got your hackles up?” That comes from a common sign of stress in dogs.
Behavioral Changes
Sometimes you will notice your canine BFF spending an inordinate amount of time licking itself, in parts we won’t discuss, and other times it will simply squat and urinate even if it’s been potty trained for years. Wetting and licking are two common signs of stress and of course, barking, growling and lethargy can also be attributed to stress.
It’s Time to Seek a Treatment
If you’ve noticed any or all of the above symptoms of canine stress, it’s time to talk to your vet. While there are pharmaceuticals and environmental treatments to consider, you may want to investigate the efficacy of alternative treatments such as cannabis for dogs. No, you will not be getting your dog high but will be offering the benefits of CBDs proven to alleviate stress in humans and domesticated animals as well.
According to many veterinary experts, cannabidiol can have a calming effect on your dog without the dangers of chemical pharmaceuticals. It’s up to you how you treat your dog, but the important thing is that you do seek a stress-relieving solution before stress leads to other health concerns like heart issues and cancer. Yes, dogs succumb to stress as well, so the time to seek treatment is now.
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