Dog Anxiety Symptoms: How to Tell if Your Dog is Stressed

Recognizing the Signs: Physical and Behavioral Symptoms by Severity

Understanding the full spectrum of anxiety symptoms helps you identify problems early and respond appropriately. Anxiety in dogs ranges from subtle stress signals to severe panic attacks.

Mild Anxiety: The Subtle Signs

Dogs experiencing mild anxiety display subtle signs often dismissed as normal behavior or personality quirks. These early warnings are your opportunity to address issues before they escalate.

Physical signs:

• Head positioned slightly downward
• Pupils slightly dilated
• Hair raised on the back (piloerection)
• Lip licking when no food is present
• Yawning when not tired
• Avoiding direct eye contact
• Turning the head away from stressors

Behavioural signs:

• Reduced interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Hesitant or avoidant manner
• Displacement behaviours appearing out of context (stretching when not stiff, sniffing ground when nothing is present)

Moderate Anxiety: Clear Warning Signs

At this level, anxiety symptoms become more noticeable and begin to interfere with normal daily activities.

Physical signs:

• Pupils more dilated than in mild anxiety
• Ears positioned back
• Furrowed brow appearance
• Panting without physical exertion or heat
• Excessive drooling
• Tail positioned down or slightly tucked
• Frequent yawning or lip licking

Behavioural signs:

• Fidgeting and restlessness
• Reduced activity levels
• Refusing treats that would normally be accepted
• Pacing or circling behaviours
• Whining or whimpering
• Increased vigilance and scanning of environment

Severe Anxiety: Crisis State

Severe anxiety represents a crisis state that significantly impairs a dog's ability to function normally and may pose safety risks.

Physical signs:

• Pupils fully dilated
• Eyes showing whites ("whale eye" appearance)
• Tail completely tucked under body
• Excessive panting or open-mouth breathing
• Trembling or shaking throughout the body
• Stiff, lowered body posture

Behavioural signs:

• Cowering or attempting to hide
• Trying to escape from the situation
• Showing teeth or other aggressive displays
• Licking or biting their own body parts
• Involuntary urination or defecation
• Complete withdrawal from social interactions
• Destructive behaviours focused on exit points

Commonly Misunderstood Signs

Subtle Indicators Often Missed

Many anxiety symptoms are mistaken for normal behaviours or dismissed as personality traits.

Appetite changes: Sudden changes in eating patterns, including meal skipping or food aversion, often indicate underlying stress. Dogs may reject previously favoured treats when experiencing anticipatory anxiety.

Displacement behaviours: These normal behaviours appear out of context when dogs experience internal conflict:

• Yawning when not tired
• Excessive ground sniffing without apparent interest
• Sudden scratching when not itchy
• Body shaking when not wet or dirty
• Lip licking without food present

"Clingy" behaviour: Excessive following, attention-seeking, or inability to settle independently may indicate anxiety rather than affection. Dogs may appear "extra friendly" whilst actually experiencing distress.

Misinterpreted Aggressive Behaviours

Fear-based aggression is often misunderstood as dominance or territorial behaviour. Signs include:

• Growling or barking when feeling trapped
• Reactive responses to handling or restraint
• Aggression during specific anxiety-provoking situations
• Freeze response followed by explosive reactions

Normal Stress vs. Clinical Anxiety Disorder

Normal Stress Responses

Fear and stress are adaptive responses essential for survival. Normal stress responses are:

• Situational and time-limited
• Proportionate to the actual threat
• Resolve when the stressor is removed
• Allow the dog to return to baseline behaviour
• Don't significantly impair daily functioning

Clinical Anxiety Disorders

Clinical anxiety becomes pathological when:

• Responses are excessive relative to actual threats
• Symptoms persist even after stressors are removed
• Behaviours significantly impair quality of life
• Normal coping mechanisms fail
• The dog cannot self-regulate emotional responses
• Daily activities like eating, sleeping, or social interaction are disrupted

Medical Conditions That Can Mimic Anxiety

Many medical conditions produce symptoms identical to anxiety disorders. Always rule out physical illness before assuming purely behavioural causes.

Endocrine Disorders

Thyroid dysfunction: Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can produce anxiety-like symptoms. Hypothyroidism may cause lethargy and increased irritability, whilst hyperthyroidism typically results in hyperactivity and increased vocalisation.

Adrenal disorders: Cushing's disease can cause restlessness and sleep disturbances. Addison's disease may present as withdrawal and reduced appetite.

Neurological Conditions

Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS): Affecting 28% of dogs aged 11-12 and 68% of dogs aged 15-16, CDS causes confusion, disorientation, and increased anxiety, particularly during evening hours (sundowning).

Seizure disorders: Pre-ictal phases before seizures can present as anxiety, with pacing, vocalisation, and seeking behaviour.

Pain and Discomfort

Chronic pain from arthritis, dental disease, or internal conditions often manifests as:

• Restlessness and inability to settle
• Panting and pacing
• Aggression when touched
• Withdrawal from social interactions
• Changes in sleep patterns

How Vets Diagnose Anxiety

The Diagnostic Process

Veterinarians use a comprehensive approach beginning with ruling out underlying medical conditions:

Initial assessment:

• Detailed behavioural history from owners
• Complete physical examination
• Neurological evaluation when indicated
• Blood work to rule out metabolic disorders
• Urinalysis to detect systemic conditions

Behavioural evaluation:

• Video documentation of behaviour during trigger situations
• Standardised questionnaires
• Assessment of symptom patterns and triggers
• Ruling out differential diagnoses (confinement distress, incomplete house-training, play behaviours)

When Professional Intervention is Required

Veterinary intervention becomes necessary when:

• Persistent symptoms: Anxious behaviours continue despite home management attempts
• Harmful behaviours: Self-injury, aggression toward people or animals, or destructive behaviours that pose safety risks
• Quality of life impact: Anxiety prevents normal activities like eating, sleeping, or social interaction
• Escalating intensity: Symptoms worsen over time rather than improving
• Multiple trigger situations: Anxiety generalises across various contexts

Key Takeaways

• Anxiety symptoms range from subtle (lip licking, yawning) to severe (cowering, escape attempts, loss of bladder control)
• Many "behavioural quirks" are actually mild anxiety symptoms that shouldn't be ignored
• Always rule out medical conditions before assuming purely behavioural causes
• Normal stress is situational and resolves; clinical anxiety persists and impairs daily life
• Video documentation helps vets accurately diagnose anxiety disorders
• Early intervention prevents mild anxiety from progressing to severe disorders
• Professional help is essential for persistent, harmful, or escalating symptoms