Pet Anxiety and Stress: Signs, Causes and How to Help
Dogs and cats can experience anxiety and stress for many reasons. Loud noises, being left alone, travel, changes at home and veterinary visits are just some of the situations that can make a pet feel unsettled.
The signs are not always obvious. Some pets hide or become withdrawn, while others pace, vocalise, groom excessively or become unusually clingy.
Understanding what is triggering the behaviour is an important first step. It is also worth remembering that a sudden change in behaviour can sometimes be caused by pain or illness rather than anxiety alone.
Quick answer: what are the signs of anxiety in pets?
Signs of anxiety or stress in dogs and cats can include:
Hiding or trying to escape
Pacing or restlessness
Trembling or shaking
Panting when it is not hot
Excessive barking, whining or meowing
Becoming unusually clingy or withdrawn
Excessive licking or grooming
Toileting in unusual places
Changes in appetite
Destructive behaviour
Difficulty settling or sleeping
Every pet is different. What matters most is noticing a behaviour that is new, persistent or unusual for your dog or cat.
What can cause anxiety in dogs and cats?
There is no single cause of pet anxiety.
Common triggers include:
Thunderstorms and fireworks
Being left alone
Moving house
Visitors or unfamiliar people
A new baby or pet in the household
Changes in routine
Car travel
Veterinary or grooming visits
Unfamiliar dogs or cats
Previous frightening experiences
Some pets are naturally more cautious than others, while early experiences can also influence how comfortable they feel in unfamiliar situations.
For puppies, positive early experiences with people, dogs, sounds and different environments can help build confidence. Our guide to early puppy socialisation explains how to introduce puppies to new experiences safely.
Could a behaviour change be caused by pain or illness?
Yes.
If your pet suddenly becomes withdrawn, restless, irritable, clingy or reluctant to be handled, we recommend considering whether there may be a medical reason.
Pain can change behaviour considerably. A dog that suddenly refuses to climb stairs may have sore joints. A cat that starts hiding or becomes reluctant to jump may also be uncomfortable.
Other health problems can affect appetite, sleep, toileting and behaviour as well.
This is particularly important in older pets. If your pet’s behaviour has changed without an obvious reason, a health check is a sensible first step rather than assuming they have simply become anxious.
Keep life reasonably predictable
Many pets feel more secure when there is some predictability to their day.
Try to keep meals, walks, play and rest times reasonably consistent. It does not need to be an exact schedule, but sudden changes to everything at once can be difficult for an anxious pet.
If you know a major change is coming, introduce it gradually where possible.
For example, if you are preparing for a new baby, moving house or introducing another pet, giving your dog or cat time to adjust to smaller changes beforehand may make the transition easier.
Give your pet somewhere they can retreat
Pets should have the option to move away from something that is making them uncomfortable.
For a dog, this might be a bed or quiet room away from visitors and household activity.
For a cat, it could be a quiet room, hiding place or elevated area where they can feel secure and observe what is happening from a distance.
If your pet chooses to hide, avoid dragging them out or forcing them to interact. Giving them some control over when they approach can help them feel safer.
Use play, exercise and enrichment
Appropriate activity can be helpful for both physical and mental wellbeing.
Dogs may enjoy walks, sniffing, food puzzles, play and short reward-based training sessions.
Cats benefit from opportunities to climb, hide, scratch, explore and play. Food puzzles and interactive toys can also make an indoor environment more interesting.
The amount and type of activity should suit your pet’s age and health.
Exercise will not solve significant anxiety by itself, but a good routine and appropriate enrichment can form part of a broader plan.
Don’t force your pet to face something they fear
Forcing a frightened pet into a situation they cannot cope with can make the problem worse.
We generally recommend introducing difficult situations gradually, while your pet is still calm enough to cope.
For example, if your dog is frightened of the car, you might begin by spending a short time near the parked car with treats or play. Once they are comfortable, you can progress to sitting in the car, starting the engine and eventually taking very short trips.
If your pet is trying to escape, freezing, trembling or showing obvious distress, the situation may be moving too quickly.
The aim is to help your pet form a better association with the situation rather than simply making them endure it.
What if my dog becomes anxious when left alone?
Some dogs become genuinely distressed when separated from their owners.
Signs can include:
Barking or howling
Pacing
Destructive behaviour
Toileting indoors
Excessive drooling
Attempts to escape
Becoming distressed when you prepare to leave
This is different from a dog simply getting bored while alone.
Punishment will not help a dog that is frightened or distressed. Management usually involves gradually helping them become more comfortable with being alone and avoiding absences that push them beyond what they can currently cope with where possible.
If the problem is severe or getting worse, book an appointment so we can discuss the behaviour and whether additional support is needed.
What about calming products?
You may see pheromone diffusers, supplements, calming treats and other products marketed for anxious pets.
Some can be useful as part of a broader plan, but they are unlikely to solve significant anxiety on their own.
If your pet is frequently distressed, it is more useful to work out what is triggering the behaviour and whether pain, illness or another medical problem may be contributing.
We can also advise whether a particular product is appropriate for your pet rather than trying several different options without knowing whether they are likely to help.
Helping an anxious pet visit the vet
Some dogs and cats find veterinary visits difficult.
For cats, leaving the carrier out at home rather than only bringing it out for vet appointments can help make it a more familiar object. Place comfortable bedding inside and allow your cat to explore it without being forced.
For dogs that are nervous in the car, occasional short trips that do not always end at the vet can help break the association between the car and a veterinary visit.
Gentle handling practice at home can also help. Briefly touching paws, ears and around the mouth while rewarding calm behaviour can make parts of a routine examination feel less unfamiliar.
At Blakehurst Vet, our purpose-built hospital has separate waiting areas for cats and dogs. This helps reduce some of the stress caused by unfamiliar animals while pets wait for their appointment.
If you already know your pet becomes extremely anxious at the vet, tell us when you book. We may be able to suggest ways to prepare before the appointment.
Can medication help an anxious pet?
Yes. Medication can be appropriate for some pets.
Some dogs and cats only need extra help with specific situations such as travel, fireworks or veterinary visits. Other pets with more persistent anxiety may need a longer-term approach.
Medication is usually most useful when it is combined with changes to the pet’s environment and the way the difficult situation is managed.
For pets that become very anxious before or during veterinary visits, we may recommend medication before the appointment to help reduce fear and make the visit safer and less stressful.
The right option depends on the individual animal, their health and what is triggering the anxiety.
Never give your pet human anxiety medication or medication prescribed for another animal unless we have specifically advised you to do so.
When should I book a vet appointment?
We recommend booking an appointment if:
The behaviour has appeared suddenly
Your pet seems anxious or distressed frequently
The problem is becoming worse
Your pet is harming themselves or trying to escape
Anxiety is affecting eating, sleeping or toileting
Your pet is becoming aggressive when frightened
Your older pet has developed new behaviour changes
You suspect pain or illness may be contributing
Things you have tried at home are not helping
We can check for possible medical causes and talk through what is happening at home.
Depending on the problem, we may recommend changes to your pet’s routine or environment, medication, behaviour modification or additional behavioural support.
Frequently asked questions
Can dogs and cats really have anxiety?
Yes. Dogs and cats can experience fear, anxiety and stress. Some pets are only affected by a particular situation, while others become anxious in several different circumstances.
Should I comfort my pet when they are frightened?
Yes, if your pet seeks reassurance from you, you can calmly comfort them. You are not creating fear by reassuring a frightened animal. If they would prefer to hide or have some space, allow them to do that instead.
Can anxiety make my pet stop eating?
Stress can affect appetite, but loss of appetite can also be caused by many medical problems. If your pet stops eating, particularly if it continues or they have other symptoms, contact us.
Why has my older pet suddenly become anxious?
A new behaviour change in an older pet can sometimes be associated with pain, illness, changes in hearing or vision, or changes in cognitive function. We recommend a health check when an older pet develops unexplained changes in behaviour.
Can Blakehurst Vet help with pet anxiety?
Yes. We can assess your pet for possible medical causes, discuss what is triggering the behaviour and recommend appropriate next steps. Depending on the individual pet, this may include changes at home, medication or additional behavioural support.
Help for anxious pets at Blakehurst Vet
If your dog or cat has developed new behaviour changes, seems increasingly anxious or is struggling with a particular situation, we can help work out what may be contributing.
Book an appointment with Blakehurst Vet or call us on (02) 9547 2750 to discuss your concerns.