Is dog licking anxiety

Signs of Anxiety in Dogs and Puppies

Theres been a huge shift in understanding and treating human anxiety over the past decade. Our canine counterparts also feel stress and anxiety, but they cant verbalize their feelings, which makes it hard to know when theyre feeling anxious.

When you become a dog parent, you take on the job of recognizing what causes anxiety for your pup. If you lessen these causes, you can make your dog feel as safe and comfortable as possible in their environment. Signs of anxiety in dogs can be subtle, which makes it even more important for you to be vigilant and learn to identify what may be causing their stress.

Stress in dogs can be broken down into three types: fear, phobias, and anxiety.

• Fear is an instinct in response to an external threat. Analyzing the situation helps you figure out if its a normal or inappropriate response. For example, fear aggression could be normal if theres a true threat to your dog or their loved ones. In other cases, fear aggression is considered inappropriate if its directed at a person who is not showing any signs of being a threat to your dog. Remember that your dog may interpret the situation differently, and something that is not a threat to you may be to them.

• Phobias are excessive fears to an external stimulus. The most common phobias in dogs are noise phobias (fireworks, loud noises, thunderstorms).

• Anxiety is an uncomfortable feeling or fear related to the anticipation of danger. For instance, separation anxiety occurs when a pet has abnormal reactions to being away from their owner, whether for short or long periods of time.

Signs of Stress and Anxiety in Dogs

It is important to be able to distinguish between normal and anxious dog behaviors, which requires familiarity with your dogs normal behavior.

Most of the time, relaxed dogs will have round, open eyes; weight on all four legs; a raised tail; and raised, forward-facing ears. They will breathe normally unless they are panting from play or exercise.

Here are some dog anxiety symptoms to watch for.

Pacing and Shaking

Just like humans, dogs often pace or make wide circling movements repeatedly when stressed. This can be a sign of panic or nervousness in general. Your dog may also shake or tremble. This often stops once the stressor is gone.

Increased Heart Rate and Panting

The autonomic nervous system kicks in automatically when stress occurs. This is the fight, flight, or freeze response to external fears or stressors. It is an involuntary response system for survival and adapting.

Dogs also have a sympathetic nervous system. When a dog is stressed, this system releases adrenaline and increases their heart rate and respiratory rate, which is often seen as panting.

Yawning

Dogs do not onlyyawnwhen they are tiredthey also yawn when theyre nervous. Usually, these yawns are frequent and longer than when they are tired.

Drooling

A dogs nervous system is activated by stress and causesdroolingand frequent lip-licking or lip-smacking. This is also seen when a dog has nausea and may have something to do with activation of the gastrointestinal tract by the nervous system.

Compulsive Behaviors

Dogs engage in a number of behaviors to help calm themselves, but these can become compulsive and destructive when they are really stressed. Common compulsions includelicking themselves excessively, licking floors or walls, barking excessively, or chewing objects compulsively.

Often, this behavior can lead to skin infections from overgrooming, foreign body ingestion, upset stomach from ingesting things, digging behavior (holes, bedding, rugs), or destroying their crates in order to break free. Crying or barking can also be a self-soothing behavior in anxious dogs, or a way to alert us to their stress.

Hypervigilance (Dilated Pupils, Ear Signals, Stiff Posture)

Dogs with anxiety often have dilated pupils and blink faster. They tend to stand stiffly at attention when preparing for impending danger, but this behavior may also be related to the involuntary freeze, fight, or flight autonomic nervous system response.

The whites of their eyes tend to show more than when they are calm, and their ears can either be standing at attention or pinned back against their head in times of stress. Tucking their tails between their legs or shifting their weight to their hind end can also be signs of fear in dogs.

Hiding or Acting Depressed

Stressed dogs will often hide behind you or objects such as chairs or cars to avoid stressors. They may seem hyperactive and use their muzzles to nudge your legs or hands to tell you to move away from the stressor. Your dog may also completely shut down, stop moving, and seem depressed or disassociated from the situation.

Having Diarrhea or Accidents

Adrenaline affects dogs similarly to humans, causing an urge to go to the bathroom. Your dog may immediately posture and urinate as a result of stress, dribble urine, lose control of their bowels, or even have diarrhea.

This behavior is modulated by the sympathetic nervous system. A lesser gastrointestinal sign of stress in dogs is a decreased appetite. A stressed dog may even refuse their favorite treats if their anxiety level is too high.

Shedding

Dogs who are stressed often shed more, and this is frequently seen during veterinary visits.

How to Help an Anxious Dog

Here are some tips you can use to help your dog avoid or react to stress.

Avoid Stressful Situations

The most important treatment for stress and anxiety in dogs is limiting the exposure to stressful situations. Avoid interactions that may cause an anxious response.

For example, in cases of separation anxiety, set up a calm, quiet space with safe toys and items that smell familiar. Start training your dog by leaving them for very short periods of time.

Every time you return, praise your dog, and perhaps give them a small, healthy treat. Through repetition and slowly increasing the length of time that you are gone, your dog will learn that you will always return, and their stress will start to fade.

If your dog is stressed by having new people in their environment, keep them confined in a calm area of the house when new people are there to avoid a fear-induced interaction.

Try New Strategies in a Safe Environment

Abrupt desensitization, where you expose your dog to the thing that is causing stress until they no longer react, is no longer thought to be the best way to help with stress and anxiety in dogs.

Continuing to introduce triggers often increases your dogs fearful responses. Instead, you should teach new strategies and ways for your dog to respond to stress.

To establish a new response to a stressor, you must develop a reward program for your dog, such as offering food, love, or an activity/playtime. The reward should always be earned, and training will be slow and steady. This should be done in a stable, safe environment, and not during anxious situations.

Treatment starts with learning control strategies at home, where your dog is required to earn everything by responding appropriately when you give a specific cue. This creates a predictable response from your dogs perspective. Starting with calm tasks such as sit or lie down and then eventually moving to focus and escape responses will help set expectations for what will happen.

With focus responses, the goal is to have your dog make eye contact with you or focus on a treat/toy to distract them from stressors. Escape response is training your pet to go to a safe, calm environment (such as a bed or a room) as soon as they feel stressed. Using yummy treats can be helpful until they learn where their safe space is.

Never punish your dog physically or by scolding them, since this is ineffective and will only raise their stress level and teach them to fear you.

It is important to have realistic expectations. Some issues may be lifelong or require training or medications that can only be given by a training specialist, veterinary behaviorist, or veterinarian.

Ask Your Vet About Anti-Anxiety Medications

Your veterinarian may recommend prescriptionanti-anxiety medications(includingFluoxetine,Clomipramine, or Alprazolam). These are almost always prescribed with the recommendation of behavior modification training.

The medication type and dosage will be based on your dogs age, other medical conditions, and triggers. Medications often take several weeks to months to improve anxiety, and they often require adjustments and regular bloodwork. The minimum treatment for anxiety in dogs usually averages 4-6 months but can take years in some cases.

Medication therapy may help alleviate your dogs response to triggers and can assist in learning new behaviors. However, when medication is weaned or discontinued, their anxious behaviors may return. Medication is usually continued lifelong.

Your primary care veterinarian may refer you to a board-certified veterinary behaviorist when severe anxiety issues are noted, or if previously attempted treatment plans fail to help. It is important to learn your dogs triggers to be able to help them have a calm, balanced, and positive quality of life.

WRITTEN BY

Katie Grzyb, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Katie Grzybreceived her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University in 2009. She continued her clinical training at...

Why Do Dogs Lick Everything?

Has licking become your dogs favorite activity? There are many reasons dogs enjoy licking youor everything else around them.

While some dogs lick things out of boredom, for other dogs, licking can be compulsive, providing a calming and soothing sensation. When licking is a self-stimulating activity, it could also be a sign of anxiousness or discomfort. Other dogs can lick to the point of causing secondary problems.

Whether your dog is licking the floor after a messy meal or cleaning their best friends face, licking is very normal. However, you should monitor your dogs licking behaviors because some instances can be a sign of a health or behavioral issue.

Why Dogs Lick Everything

Although licking can be harmless in some cases, it can also signal an issue, whether its heath or behavior related.

Behavioral Issues

If your pup doesnt seem to favor licking just one thing, its likely a self-soothing behavior or a compulsive habit. This habit did not start overnight and will not go away quickly. Its also important to realize that if your dog licks everything, they have also been using licking as a way to communicate to you.

Some dogs lick habitually out of boredom. You can help prevent this type of habit from developing by providing your dog lots of stimulation and exercise throughout the day.

Try playing fetch outside or going for a walk or run with your pup. Additionally, kennel-training your pup while you are away from home for brief periods can keep them from licking objects in your home that could lead to destructive behavior or ingestion of dangerous objects.

If you are having other behavioral issues with your dog, seek assistance from your veterinarian to help rule out potential causes. If you feel your dogs licking has become uncontrollable, it is important to recognize it early on to avoid other problems, as it can be a sign of separation anxiety.

Because such behavior can lead to destructive or harmful outcomes, you and your veterinarian can discuss options such as reaching out to professional trainers or an animal behaviorist who can thoroughly evaluate your pet.

Health Issues

When a dog licks everything, it can also be a sign of infection or gastrointestinal upset. Having your dog checked out by your vet can help you determine if there is an underlying health issue.

If you ignore your dogs licking behavior, it can lead to self-trauma, secondary infections, or unwanted, destructive behaviors. Always speak with your veterinarian if you think your dog is showing signs of an infection, as they may need treatment.

Why Dogs Lick Specific Things

If your dog likes to lick certain things, or they like licking people or other animals, here are some potential reasons behind the behavior.

People

Dogs instinctively lick and groom themselves. Just as mother dogs will lick and clean their pups, some dogs feel the need to lick their favorite person in the world. Whether its a sign of respect or love for you or the left-behind crumbs from your lunch, your dog finds comfort in licking you.

Your dog may also discover that your skin tastes salty from your sweat after a gym session, so they will want to lick it. They also know that licking you will get your attention, so many dogs will lick you to distract you from whatever else you are focused on so you can pet them.

Sometimes it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of licking, so its good to check with your veterinarian to rule out other issues.

Air

Your dog licking at the air does not always come after smelling freshly baked cookies. Dogs can start to lick their lips in anticipation of a meal or a treat.

Excessive licking at the air, however, can be the result of a neurologic or compulsive disorder. If your pet has not been evaluated recently by your veterinarian, take them for a physical exam. Your veterinarian will be able to rule out any neurologic diseases as well as dental pain or dental disease, as licking the air can be a sign of discomfort.

Couches/Furniture

Although it may seem gross, sweat from you or food from a late-night snack can be left behind in the furniture, leaving a wonderful treat your dog can find and enjoy later. Dogs will also lick furniture to explore their surroundings and survey the area for any new activity.

Keeping your furniture clear of crumbs and cleaning the surfaces can help prevent your furniture from being soaked in saliva.

If your dogs furniture licking appears to be a continuous, compulsive activity, try offering fun and tasty toys or interactive games to keep your dog busy and so they cant destroy your couch or other furniture. Daily exercise can also burn excess energy that pets may have at the end of the day.

Flooring or Carpet

Dogs may lick the floor or carpet to clean up a mess, but it can lead to destructive behavior where your dog is eating or destroying things. Licking the floor can also become a compulsive habit.

Keep your dog entertained and stimulated throughout the day to ensure they do not resort to licking and possibly chewing the floor. Offer lots of playtime and chew toys as alternatives if your dog is fascinated by carpet. Keep the floor clean and clear of foods or objects, which could be toxic to your dog or result in an obstruction.

Have your veterinarian examine your dog regularly to rule out diseases as well.

Their Toys

Does your dog suddenly seem fascinated with licking their toys? Although some toys have a tasty covering, some dogs will lick their toys for a soothing sensation, especially after they are reunited with a favorite toy.

Finding comfort in familiar toys and surroundings can bring dogs a sense of calmness. Therefore, licking their toys in moderation is typically not a sign of any deeper issue.

Each Other (Other Dogs' Ears, Eyes, Mouths, etc.)

Some dogs will lick their furry best friend for various reasons, including:

• Comfort/communication with their companion

• Exploring

• Sign of infection (e.g., ear infection, conjunctivitis, gingivitis)

Dogs licking other dogs can be sweet and cute. However, it should be avoided in excess, as it can also lead to other problems. By introducing bacteria from one dog to another, it can lead to new infections. It is best to not let the licking be in excess, as it can lead to further irritation of infections.

Their Own Paws/Tails/Backs/Legs/Lips/Groin Area

Does your furry friend spend the day licking their feet, or an immense amount of time taking care of self-hygiene?

Dog will lick themselves for grooming needs, but it can also be a sign of allergies or other skin conditions, especially if the area is reddened, missing hair, or appears abnormal in any way. If you notice these signs, reach out to your veterinarian, as they could be signs of dermatitis or skin inflammation.

The most common skin infections are caused by an allergen in the environment, which leads to further skin infections that require treatment. Your vet will prescribe oral medications if needed or may recommend placing an e-collar or cone of shame on your dog to avoid further irritation to infected or itchy areas.

If your dog is consistently licking an area but you do not see any irritated skin, it is still best to check with your veterinarian, as it could be a sign of joint pain or arthritis.

Featured Image: iStock.com/andresr