Just like us, our pets can suffer from anxiety and experience stress.  However, our pet’s stressors are probably not inline with the things that cause us stress.  Even though your pooch may not be concerned with the electricity bill, there are other things that can lead to anxious behaviors.  Anxious behaviors are undesirable and can be unhealthy.  Since your pet can’t do it on his own, it’s up to you to find a way to help him cope.

You may not think your pup’s anxiety is a major concern.  But, think again.  An over anxious pet can develop destructive or health-damaging behaviors, greatly affecting his environment.  When a destructive behavior develops as a way to relieve stress, a pup may resort to digging, chewing, excessive barking, aggression, and urine marking.  Behaviors that could affect your pooch’s health include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, excessive drooling, panting, pacing, shaking, and whining.  Often, a highly stressed out pooch will have a relapse in housetraining, putting more stress on you.

The best way to stop stress is to go to the root of the problem.  In some cases, the stressor can be identified fairly easy.  In other cases, the stressor (or stressors) is not so apparent.  It’s a good idea to take your pet to your veterinarian.  Your vet can rule out any possible health causes of the stress.  If there is a holistic veterinarian in your area, then consider making an appointment at that office.  A holistic vet will not only rule out medical causes, but he or she will also help you get to the bottom of things by observing your pooch and his environment as one.

Once health concerns are taken out of the equation, it is up to you to search for the stressor.  As mentioned before, your pet probably doesn’t care about the things that stress you out, so think it the mindset of the pet.  Has there been a change in the dog’s environment lately?  Many things can trigger anxiety, including an addition or removal of a family member, an addition or removal of another pet, a move, and changing the location of the dog’s bed or feeding area.  Things such as frustration, boredom, fear, separation, and injury can also cause unnecessary stress.  You may wonder what your pet could be afraid of; there are a number of things.  He may not like the way your yell at him, loud noises, or the stray dog that hangs around the house.  If you can identify what is bothering your pooch, then work hard to change things.  Speak quietly to your animal, move his bed or crate back to where it was, or do not allow him to be bothered by the stray dog.  Minor changes can have a huge impact on stress reduction.

Even if you can’t identify the stressor, there are other things you can do to help your pet cope with the stress.  In extreme cases where stress is affecting your pet’s health, your veterinarian may recommend an anti-anxiety medication.  A holistic veterinarian may recommend a calming herb that can be added to your pooch’s water; the possibilities are endless.  Outside of the veterinarian’s guidance, you can do things around your home.  Make your pet a quiet place where he can escape to when he feels anxious.  An isolated room in the house filled with chew toys and soft blankets makes a perfect escape.  Also, show him more attention.  You don’t need to baby him when he’s stressed, because this will only reinforce the behavior.  Instead, spend more time each day brushing and petting him.  Exercise is one of the best ways to relieve stress!  Take your pooch out everyday for a long walk or brisk jog.  Relieving his excess energy will also cut down on his stress.

If your dog is anxious, then his stress levels may be hurting his health.  It’s always a good idea to start with the veterinarian’s help to rule out any health problems.  If his health is okay, you should try to figure out what is causing the stress.  Has your pooch experienced a recent change in his environment?  If you are able to identify the stressor, then work to get rid of it or help your pooch cope with it.  If you cannot identify the stressor, then try to make your pet more comfortable around the home.  Spend extra time playing and exercising with your pooch to help him cope with his problem.

The author of this article is Collin Walker who writes for pet super store a pet website featuring dog strollers, personalized dog beds and pet doors.