Dogs can experience a number of different anxieties due to illnesses or traumatic events in the past.
It is normal for dogs to experience anxiety from time to time as we all do, but recognizing if these anxious behaviors in dogs are extreme or persistent can help you stop your beloved pup's anxiety from spiraling out of control.
There are four specific types of anxiety that dogs experience:
Separation Anxiety
If your dog is calm most of the time but starts to whine/bark when you leave it could be due to separation anxiety. This is a pretty common disorder in dogs as they are social animals.
The anxiety could be sparked by the feeling of loneliness and boredom or even because of a traumatic experience in the past while left alone.
To treat separation anxiety in your beloved dogs, consider taking them out for a walk before you leave, this will tire your dog out causing them to fall asleep.
Fetch toys for dogs are also a great way to keep your dog busy and away from boredom while you are out. Healing crystals such as black obsidian are also believed by some to radiate calming energy and reduce feelings of loneliness.
Former Rescue or Shelter Dog Anxiety
Dogs that have spent a period of their time in rescue shelters often have memories of being left alone and also the traumatic experience of being brought to a shelter.
This unpredictable change of routine and environment is what likely causes the anxiety to develop as they are afraid of a similar situation happening.
Maintaining the same routine every day, such as the same feeding or exercising time, is the best way to counteract shelter dog anxiety.
If not handled properly, it could develop into separation anxiety and general anxiety disorder.
Illness Induced Anxiety
Anxiety and stress-related reactions can also be due to illness and diseases in dogs. Some of the most common causes of illness-induced anxieties are:
Hypothyroidism
Encephalitis
Diabetes
Hearing or Vision loss
If your dog exhibits a sudden and extreme change in behavior, take them to your local vet to rule out any possible medical problems.
General Anxiety Disorder
Although the cause for general anxiety disorder can’t always be determined. It is very common and can be seen mostly in dogs that show symptoms of other anxiety disorders as listed above. Experts believe general anxiety disorder cases can develop from other anxiety disorders that are not handled properly. If your dog is not in a stable and safe environment, they believe that anything harmful can happen at any time. If you believe this to be the case, it is recommended to hire an animal behaviorist to assess the situation. Keep in mind that maintaining a consistent schedule, controlling social interactions, and creating an overall predictable environment for your dog is the best way to help your dog’s anxiety.
We hope you found this article helpful. For more information about crystal healing for dogs, please visit www.mercicollective.com.