Like human beings, dogs can get stressed out for a range of factors from a modification in settings, a lot of unidentified individuals around, monotony, to stress and anxiety. Your furry good friends are rather delicate and can even feel stressed out when they notice stress in their environment. Pet moms and dads ought to search for indications of tension like extreme licking, excessive barking, quick blinking, hunger loss, urination and so on in their dogs. It is very important to resolve their stress factors and comfort your furry buddies as soon as you understand they are stressed out. You can take them for a walk and spend some peaceful time with them or prepare an activity that they like. (Also read: National Rescue Dog Day: How to help a rescue dog change into their brand-new home)
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“The breakneck rate of contemporary life can take its toll, not simply on us however on our furry buddies also. It’s important to watch out for signs of stress for them, so you can provide comfort and help them cope,” says Prateek Raj Singh, CEO & Founder of Fabled Pet Food.
SIGNS OF STRESS IN DOGS
Trembling
Singh says the most telling signs of stress in your pup will reflect in their behaviour and pet parents should look for changes in their demeanour or shifts in their body language.
“A common marker for stress in dogs is trembling. If you find your pup shaking, make an effort to comfort them and also take stock of your surroundings so you may ascertain the cause. Dogs may also rate around in response to stressors,” says the expert.
Barking, whining and other indications
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“Another way dogs express themselves when stressed is by barking or whining. Be sure to respond to such cues with comfort, and help them get away from the stressor if possible. Excessive licking, unusual yawning and body language cues such as rapid blinking and excessive yawning may also be indicators of tension. Bodily cues such as excessive shedding, urination, refusal of food and panting also signify the presence of tension,” says Singh.
How to ease your dog’s stress
Singh says the first step towards comforting your dog in the face of stress ought to be removing them from the stressful situation.
“Take them to a quiet and comforting place if possible. Setting up a safe space for them in your house can go a long way towards this. Enacting familiar commands such as heel or come can prove to be effective grounding mechanisms, and help them calm down by experiencing a sense of normalcy,” he says.
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“Make sure to take adequate care of your dog’s lifestyle to ensure they are well equipped to deal with tension. This includes providing sufficient stimulation, exercise and most importantly, nutrition. Urban dogs need holistic diets that are tailored specifically to their way of life requires. This includes protein from fresh sources, stabilized by wholesome botanicals and additions of nutritious superfoods such as berries,” concludes Singh.