Vet Reveals: 5 Surprising Signs Your Pet Is Super Stressed!

Pets don’t handle stress like humans. They don’t air grievances or write down their feelings. They can’t express in words when they’re overwhelmed or frightened. Instead, when dogs and cats are under stress, they communicate through physical signals, changes in habits, and subtle behaviors that might easily be dismissed as just quirky.

Experts in animal health often point out that stress in pets can be difficult to detect because it first manifests internally. It impacts their hormones, digestion, immune system, and sleep patterns well before it becomes apparent through their behavior.

According to Professor Audra Jones from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, as told to Newsweek, signs of stress in pets are frequently mistaken for behavioral issues, when they are actually signs of internal discomfort.

Veterinarians know what signs to look for when a pet is struggling with stress and what measures can help them recover.

1. The Subtle ‘All is Fine’ Body Language

Look for signs like yawning when not sleepy, repeatedly licking their lips, or sudden nose flicks. These are calming mechanisms for pets when they feel uneasy. Frequent occurrence of these actions indicates an overburdened nervous system.

2. Making Themselves Small

Behaviors such as freezing in place, trembling, crouching low, or tucking their tail are indicators of stress. Jones notes that both cats and dogs exhibit these behaviors instinctively to avoid threats, aiming to draw less attention and simply get through the difficult moment.

3. Loss of Interest in Food or Treats

When stressed, pets may suddenly ignore even their favorite snacks. Their normal appetite often won’t return until they feel secure again.

4. Varied Stress Indicators Across Species

While dogs might show stress through excessive panting or movements of the jaw, cats might withdraw to secluded, enclosed spaces. The stress is the same, but the way it’s expressed differs by species.

5. Unexpected Accidents

In severe cases, extreme stress can lead to a loss of bladder or bowel control in pets, signaling that the stress has escalated from manageable to severe.

Helping Your Stressed Pet

Helping your pet manage stress starts with you remaining calm. Removing stressors when feasible can be beneficial. Overreacting, overly soothing, or forcing physical contact can exacerbate the issue.

Gradually acclimating your pet to stressful situations can be more effective. For instance, scheduling non-treatment visits to the vet that allow your pet to explore and receive treats can help them feel more comfortable in the future. For cats, setting out carriers well ahead of travel and using synthetic pheromone sprays can create a sense of safety.

When stress is a consistent issue, veterinarians may suggest anti-anxiety medications. As Jones points out, these treatments are specifically tailored and widely used to make otherwise stressful situations less traumatic for your pet.

Stress in a pet doesn’t imply they are problematic or broken; it’s simply how they communicate distress. The sooner you recognize and respond to these signals, the quicker you can help restore their sense of calm.