Man’s best friend? Try man’s stressed friend!
A new study has revealed that the vast majority of dogs now suffer from anxiety.
Researchers from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences examined the behavioural responses in more than 43,000 dogs.
Their results show that more than 84 per cent of pups show at least mild signs of fear or anxiety in everyday situations.
Signs your dog is anxious include whimpering, whining, freezing, trembling, or attempting to escape or hide.
You may also notice your pet crouching or cringing with their tail tucked between the legs, according to the researchers.
‘These are behaviors most owners have seen at some point,’ said Dr Bonnie Beaver, the author of the study.
‘What this research shows is just how common those responses are – and how important it is that we pay attention to them.’
Man’s best friend? Try man’s stressed friend! A new study has revealed that the vast majority of dogs now suffer from anxiety (stock image)
Just like humans, dogs are known to suffer from fear and anxiety.
‘Fear and anxiety are related emotions that can be associated with a variety of situations considered threatening by a dog,’ the researchers explained in their study, published in Veterinary Research Communications.
‘Physiologically, most anxiety is short–term, lasting minutes or hours, but an animal’s health can be negatively affected when anxiety becomes stressful and is experienced over long periods of time.’
However, until now, the prevalence of these conditions has remained unclear.
To get to the bottom of it, the researchers analysed data from 43,517 dogs, enrolled by their owners in the Dog Aging Project.
The owners were asked nine questions to assess the levels of anxiety and fearfulness in their pets.
Overall, the results revealed that 91 per cent of the dogs show at least mild signs of fear or anxiety.
However, when the researchers excluded nail trimming and bathing – which are both learned fears – the proportion dropped to 84 per cent.
If your dog is mildly anxious, they might avoid eye contact, avoid a certain object, crouch or cringe with their tail lowered or tucked between their legs, whimper and whine, freeze, and shake and tremble (stock image)
The most frequently reported triggers were unfamiliar people and unfamiliar dogs, along with noise, strange objects, and new situations.
In terms of the signs your dog is anxious or fearful, the researchers highlight several behaviours to be on the lookout for.
If your dog is mildly anxious, they might avoid eye contact, avoid a certain object, crouch or cringe with their tail lowered or tucked between their legs, whimper and whine, freeze, and shake and tremble.
But if they’re really fearful, you’ll probably see them cower and make vigorous attempts to escape, retreat, or hide from the object, person, or situation.
Dr Beaver said: ‘I’ve seen dogs get to the point where they’re so distressed during storms that they try to chew through brick walls just to get into their house.
‘Once it reaches that level, it is almost impossible to manage.’
If you notice any of these signs appearing in your dog, the researchers recommend seeking help from a vet.
Without intervention, they warn that your pet’s anxiety could escalate to aggression.
‘When dogs are repeatedly put into situations they’re not comfortable with, such as having to interact with strangers, that fear can escalate,’ Dr Beaver said.
‘In some cases, the only way they know how to respond is through aggression.’
While fear and anxiety can’t be eliminated entirely, the researchers say that they can be recognised, monitored, and addressed before they escalate.
Dr Beaver added: ‘Dogs, like people, are going to experience fear in certain situations.
‘The concern is when that fear becomes more consistent or continues to increase over time. That’s when we need to step in.’
