What are common signs of stress in dogs?
Aida Blanda
2025-06-20 23:34:46
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Dog licking lips repeatedly
Excessive yawning
Dog turning their head from side to side
Hunching down or hyperactivity
Unusual toilet habits
Owners might only realise there’s an issue when their dog starts responding with aggression or demonstrating unwanted behaviours such as barking, chewing or whining.
Look out for the visual signs of stress that we’ve covered below and pay attention to when and where they occur.
It’s important to recognise what your dog looks and sounds like when they are happy and relaxed.
Dogs offer lots of early warning signals in relation to stress and mental health issues, so anything that seems unusual should be noted.
Tyler Wintheiser
2025-06-12 19:20:30
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Common signs of stress in dogs include increased vocalisation, where your dog might bark constantly. This is more evident during periods such as fireworks season, or New Year where sudden loud noises are more common. Isolation is another sign, where most pets like to be with their owners 24/7, so if your dog is isolating themselves from you or other pets, it might be a sign that they are not happy. They could hide somewhere, such as under the bed. Increased sleeping is also a sign, if your dog is sleeping more than usual, it could be a sign that they are not themselves. Decrease in appetite is another indicator, most pets would eat more than they should if they could, so if your pet suddenly seem uninterested in food, or doesn’t eat at all, they may be feeling anxious. Aggression is a sign as well, if your pet is unusually aggressive towards family members or other pets this could be a sign of stress. Other common signs of dog anxiety include panting, nose/lip licking, yawning, tail lowered or tucked, ears pulled or pinned back, and scratching and chewing on furniture. Digestion problems can also occur, your pet might experience a sensitive tummy if they are feeling stressed.
Garrett Rippin
2025-06-01 00:45:35
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Dogs, like people, are susceptible to stress and the illnesses that they can induce. Short-lived stressors can trigger bouts of vomiting, diarrhea, or changes in behavior and eating patterns, and chronic stress is known to increase the chances of developing serious and sometimes lifelong disorders, such as heart disease and diabetes. Stress can be as much of a problem for canines as it can in humans, leading to digestive trouble, cardiac disease, and a suppressed immune response.
Aaron Lowe
2025-05-31 21:50:03
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Pacing or shaking. You have seen your dog shake after a bath or a roll in the grass. That whole-body shake can be amusing and is quite normal — unless it occurs as the result of a stressful situation. Whining or barking. Vocalization is normal self-expression in dogs but may be intensified when they are under stress. Yawning, drooling, and licking. Dogs yawn when they are tired or bored, and they also yawn when stressed. Changes in eyes and ears. Stressed dogs, like stressed people, may have dilated pupils and blink rapidly. Changes in body posture. Dogs normally bear weight evenly on all four legs. If a healthy dog with no orthopedic problems shifts their weight to the rear legs or cowers, they may be exhibiting stress. Shedding. Show dogs that become nervous in the show ring often “blow their coat”. Panting. Dogs pant when hot, excited, or stressed. Changes in bodily functions. Like people, nervous dogs may experience an increased urgency to urinate or defecate. Avoidance or displacement behavior. When faced with an unwelcome situation, dogs may “escape” by focusing on something else. Hiding or escape behavior. An extension of avoidance, some tense dogs move behind a trusted person or behind a nearby object.
Tania Kuhlman
2025-05-31 20:04:19
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There are several warning signs to look for that will help tell if your dog is stressed. Growling is an obvious way to tell if your dog is uncomfortable. It could mean that someone is in their space, they feel threatened, or that something hurts. Whining or Barking Many dogs cannot control their whining when they feel stressed, as it’s more of an automatic response. Stress signs to look for include whale eye, tucked ears or tail, raised hackles, lip-licking, yawning, and panting. Your dog might also avoid eye contact or look away. When dogs exhibit these behaviors, they’re trying to diffuse the situation or tell you or another dog that they aren’t a threat. Freezing When your dog freezes or gets stiff, they’re often stressed about something they see. Pacing When dogs are pacing back and forth, it’s a sign they can’t settle down because something is stressing them.