Stress is one of the epidemics of the 21st century. No one is immune to feeling it, whether continuously or on specific occasions. Not even our dogs. As ARISTOPARENTS, we have a moral obligation to be attentive to any symptom that may manifest and indicate that our dog is not having its best moment. But how do you know if your ARISTODOG is stressed?
The truth is that every dog is unique, and therefore, stress manifests differently in each one. However, there are a series of symptoms that can help us figure out if our dog is suffering from stress.
Symptoms of illness
If your dog experiences loss of appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea with no obvious cause, stress could be a factor.
Physical alterations
If your dog shows skin problems, an allergic outbreak, or excessive hair loss, it may be a sign that they are not well emotionally.
Panting without reason
Dogs usually pant to cool down when it's hot or after exercise. If your dog pants without apparent reason, they might need your help.
Ears back
Dogs have different types of ears, but a fairly clear indicator of stress is when they flatten their ears back and down. This is probably the easiest sign to detect.
Avoidance or escape
A tucked tail, avoiding eye contact, and turning their back are signs that a dog feels uncomfortable. Regardless of whether they are stressed and need treatment, it's best to respect this message to avoid misunderstandings.
Destructive behaviors
Dogs may try to relieve stress by chewing or biting objects or people, or even themselves. Certain circumstances may exacerbate this behavior (leaving them alone, exposing them to other animals, etc.). Try to avoid these situations.
Excessive barking or howling
If your dog isn't usually a barker, and suddenly starts barking without reason, indoors or outdoors, it could be a clear sign of anxiety. Our advice: try to find a pattern (when you leave them alone, when strangers are around, when the doorbell rings, etc.) to determine the cause of the anxiety and try to help them.
Once diagnosed, how can we help your ARISTODOG overcome stress? The main thing is to visit the vet, of course, but you can also take a series of actions that will surely help your dog feel better, cheer up, and gradually return to their old self.
1. Be patient. This may seem obvious, but it's not. Stress is a problem that can worsen and lead to more serious ailments, such as depression. Just as it doesn't go away in an instant for humans, it won't for your dog either. It's a matter of time and patience, lots of patience.
2. Avoid stressful situations. If you have already detected certain stress patterns, avoid them as much as possible. For example, if crowds stress them, avoid crowded places, go for walks at times when the street is less busy, etc.
3. Exercise with your dog. Just like it does for humans, exercise is beneficial for dogs' body and soul. They will relax, have fun, and keep their minds occupied.
4. Spoil your dog, pet them, and spend more time with them. In this post, we discover the best activities to do with them. Because above all, your dog is happy when they are with you. Do something special for them, surprise them with a new toy that promotes their mental agility and balance, like the ones we show you here.
We hope these guidelines have been helpful and that, should your ARISTODOG suffer from stress, they recover as soon as possible. Always remember to consult your veterinarian for any significant changes you discover. The veterinarian is the expert and will always have good advice to give you.
