10 Signs Your Dog is Stressed, Depressed or Sad

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Stress and anxiety can cause a dog's appetite to decrease, so have them checked by a veterinarian to rule out medical issues before assuming it's stress.

1. Reduced Or Absent Appetite

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2. Ears Pinned Or Pulled Back

When your dog is stressed or anxious, he or she may pull or pin their ears back. This is not always obvious in floppy-eared breeds.

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Dog stress and anxiety symptoms like lip licking, drooling, and yawning may be caused by medical issues, so consult a vet.

3. Nose And Lip Licking, Yawning, Drooling

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4. Changes In Body Posture Or Position

When a dog is stressed or anxious, he or she may cower or assume a crouched body position with their tail tucked under.  A stressed dog may become rigid or turn away from the perceived threat.

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When dogs are excited, hot, out of breath after exercise, or stressed, they pant. Panting as a result of stress is frequently associated with other signs of stress and anxiety.

5. Panting

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6. Trembling And Shaking

Fear, anxiety, pain, and illness can all cause dogs to shake and tremble.  If symptoms persist after calming down, consult a veterinarian.

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Dogs vocalize, but excessive whining/howling/barking may be caused by stress or anxiety. If your dog begins vocalising more, first rule out medical causes.

7. Increased Vocalization

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8. Diarrhea

Dogs can get diarrhoea from stressful situations.   It is usually transient, but if it persists or is accompanied by other symptoms of disease, it should be evaluated by a veterinarian.

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If your previously housetrained dog begins urinating or defecating indoors, it could be a sign of stress or a medical problem. Do not punish your dog; instead, seek veterinary assistance to determine the cause.

9. Inappropriate Elimination

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10. Repetitive Or Compulsive Behaviors

Licking, tail-chasing, air-licking, and flank-sucking can result from chronic stress and anxiety.  If your dog exhibits these behaviors, see a vet. They may have a medical cause.

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