Lisa O.
No, anxiety isn’t just something humans feel—our pets can experience it, too! While they can’t tell us directly, they often show signs when they’re anxious and need our help. Separation anxiety is one of the most common types, but many other stressful situations can trigger it as well. Pets express anxiety in different ways, and it’s up to you to notice these signs. Here are 15 signs your pet’s anxiety might be worse than you think.
Excessive Panting (Even When It’s Cool)
Panting is a common reaction to heat or exercise, but did you know pets also pant due to stress? It’s one of their ways of calming down. Unlike humans, who might sweat, dogs and cats use panting to cool off. If your pet starts panting in calm or cool environments, it’s a sign they’re trying to regulate internal stress.
Pacing Back and Forth
Pacing can look like restlessness, but it’s a way for pets to burn off nervous energy. Just like humans might pace when worried, pets do it to cope with anxiety. For instance, dogs with separation anxiety or fear often pace because they don’t know how to calm down. If you notice your pet can’t sit still, it could mean their stress levels are through the roof.
Destructive Behavior When Left Alone
Has your couch been ripped apart or shoes turned into chew toys? Pets usually act out when their anxiety spikes, especially when left alone. This isn’t just bad behavior—it’s a cry for help. Dogs that are anxious about being left alone often develop destructive habits. It’s their way of expressing fear or sadness, and it’s often linked to stress.
Sudden Aggression Towards People or Other Animals
Aggression is a typical response to fear, and if your usually calm pet suddenly becomes aggressive, it’s likely their anxiety is at play. Cats and dogs might growl, hiss, or even snap at others when overwhelmed. This behavior has evolutionary roots—when animals feel trapped or in danger, their fight-or-flight instinct kicks in. Anxiety can tip them into the “fight” response, especially if they feel cornered.
Hiding in Unusual Places
If your pet retreats to odd spots, like under your bed or behind the wooden cabinet, it could be a big sign of anxiety. Pets hide to escape stressors in their environment—whether it’s a new person, loud noises, or other animals. This provides a sense of control and safety when the outside world feels too overwhelming for both cats and dogs.
Loss of Appetite
Food is a significant indicator of how your pet is feeling. If they suddenly refuse to eat, it’s often due to stress. Stress can impact a pet’s digestive system and lead to nausea or a lack of interest in food. For example, some animals experience “stress colitis,” where their gut becomes inflamed due to anxiety. This condition is especially dangerous in small breeds, where not eating can quickly lead to more serious health issues.
Trembling or Shaking
It’s normal for pets to tremble when cold, but shaking without a clear cause is often tied to anxiety. Experts have noted that some pets develop full-body tremors during thunderstorms or fireworks, which are common triggers for anxious dogs. This trembling can also lead to other issues if left unchecked, so we suggest you take your furry friend to the vet as soon as possible.
Over-Grooming or Licking Themselves Constantly
Pets may seem clean and tidy if they groom a lot, but constant licking or grooming can be a sign of stress. Cats, for instance, might groom obsessively when anxious and sometimes to the point of creating bald spots or sores. This behavior is known as psychogenic alopecia in cats—a condition triggered by anxiety. Dogs might lick their paws or other parts of their body obsessively, which can also lead to infections if not addressed.
Reluctance to Go for Walks
If your dog loved walks but now resists them, anxiety could be at play. It could be that they’re afraid of something outside, like loud noises, unfamiliar people, or other animals. Some dogs with anxiety even develop a condition called “agoraphobia,” where they fear going outdoors altogether. This isn’t just laziness—it’s a response to feeling overwhelmed by the outside world, which can feel unpredictable and scary for an anxious pet.
Barking or Meowing Excessively
Excessive vocalization is your pet’s way of saying, “I’m not okay!” Dogs might bark non-stop, or cats could meow excessively due to anxiety triggers. Dogs with separation anxiety tend to bark continuously when left alone, which sometimes leads to complaints from neighbors. On the flip side, cats may meow at night when they’re feeling stressed or insecure.
Urinating Indoors (Even if Trained)
Anxiety could be the culprit if your house-trained pet suddenly starts peeing indoors. This backslide in behavior often happens when pets are super stressed, especially if there’s been a big change, like moving or a new family member. Stress messes with their bladder control and causes them to go more often than usual.
Clinginess or Needing Constant Attention
Is your pet suddenly glued to your side? While affection is totally normal, extreme clinginess is often a sign of insecurity and anxiety. Pets with separation anxiety tend to follow their owners around, trying to stay as close as they can. It’s their way of looking for comfort. Research even shows that pets mirror their owner’s emotions, meaning if you’re stressed, they might also become more anxious and clingy.
Scratching Doors or Windows
If your pet is scratching doors or windows like crazy, they might be trying to escape something that’s making them anxious. It is pretty common in pets with separation anxiety or noise fears—like fireworks or thunderstorms. Dogs with separation anxiety often try to escape when stressed, and sometimes they even hurt themselves doing it.
Changes in Sleep Patterns
Just like us, anxious pets can have trouble sleeping. You might notice your dog pacing or your cat wandering around at night. They might stay awake for hours or sleep too much during the day. And when they’re not sleeping well—their anxiety can get worse, creating a cycle of sleepless nights and more stress.
Excessive Drooling
Drooling is easy to miss, but when it’s happening a lot, it can be a sign of anxiety. Nervous pets tend to drool more, especially during super stressful situations like car rides or vet visits. It’s their body’s way of reacting to high-stress levels. What’s interesting is that drooling often comes along with other anxiety signs—like trembling or pacing, which can give you a clearer idea of how worried they really are.
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