Anxiety in Dogs: Studies Show How Common It Is

Lisa Selvaggio
by Lisa Selvaggio
Published:  October 18th, 2023

Dogs experience a range of emotions, but researchers have found that anxiety, in particular, is surprisingly prevalent among canine companions.

Yu.li.ko/Shutterstock

A Finnish Study on Canine Anxiety


In 2020, a study of 13,715 dogs in Finland honed in on several anxiety-related traits:


  • Noise sensitivity
  • Fear
  • Fear of surfaces and heights
  • Impulsivity/inattention
  • Compulsive behavior
  • Aggression
  • Separation related behavior


Using an online questionnaire given to pet parents of mixed breed and purebred dogs, researchers concluded that 72.5% of the dogs exhibited a behavior related to the traits above.


The researchers also discovered that noise sensitivity topped the list of anxiety-related traits – 32% of dogs were scared of at least one noise. Fearfulness came in second, with 29% of dogs exhibiting it.


Aggression and separation related behavior were the least common anxiety traits among the dogs involved in the study.


Differences Based on Breed, Gender, and Age


Other fascinating results showed that a dog’s breed, gender, and age might affect their anxiety level and behavior. For example, the Lagotto Romagnolo and Wheaten Terrier were among the breeds that were most sensitive to noise, while Spanish Water Dogs and Shetland Sheepdogs commonly showed fear.  


Also, while females showed more fearfulness, males were more hyperactive/impulsive and aggressive, and males showed some more separation related behaviors compared to females, too.


With age, behaviors may change as well. While behaviors like inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity were more common in younger dogs, noise sensitivity, aggression, and fear of heights and surfaces became increasingly apparent in older dogs.


Although there are some interesting differences, the results also show that, regardless of breed, age, or gender, anxiety and the behaviors that result from it are surprisingly common in dogs.


Increased Anxiety in Dogs Post-COVID


Yet another study – this time conducted by a CBD company called Green Element – found that pet anxiety increased from 2020 to 2022. In other words, since the COVID-19 pandemic, some pet parents have found that their dogs are even more uneasy.


In May 2022, Green Element conducted a survey involving 1,000 dog and cat owners in the United States.


Results showed that fear of loud noise was no longer the leading cause of canine anxiety; instead, fear of strangers, which increased by 295%, topped the list. Also, separation anxiety in dogs increased by over 700%. And anxiety caused by other dogs or cats went up as well.  


Is Your Dog Anxious?



If you’re like a lot of pet parents, you might be noticing some behaviors that indicate your canine friend feels distressed, on edge, or fearful. Learn about the common signs of anxiety in dogs so you can recognize them more easily, and consider your companion’s breed and age. With more knowledge, and the help of your veterinarian or a dog behaviorist, you’ll be able to take steps to reduce your dog’s anxiety and behavioral problems.

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Lisa Selvaggio
Lisa Selvaggio

Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.

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There is nothing that feels cozier than autumn. As the evenings become chillier and the leaves turn into vibrant shades of orange, we all get into that fall mood and reach for our favorite treats – such as a yummy pumpkin spice latte! And now, thanks to the limited-edition dental chews from GREENIES, your pet can enjoy the same cinnamony, pumpkin flavor you look forward to each year. Specially crafted for the autumn season, these one-of-a-kind chews are designed to give your pet a taste of fall while promoting healthy teeth and fresh breath all the while. 

Study Finds Designer Dogs At High Risk of Tick Infestation

If you are regularly finding ticks in your dog’s coat, you might be wondering if there’s something special about your pooch that makes it more prone to attracting these blood-sucking pests than other dogs. Well, a new study can shed some light. Researchers from Royal Veterinary Colledge (RVC) have discovered that some dog breeds are more likely to become infested by ticks. The study revealed that popular designer crossbreeds such as cavapoo, cockapoo, goldendoodle, and cavachon have an increased risk of tick infestation due to their poodle heritage. Researchers identified standard poodles as the second most likely breed to become infested by ticks, suggesting that ticks find the poodle’s curly coat particularly appealing. “There is no single perfect dog breed so it is critical that we fully understand the strengths and weaknesses for the breed we choose to bring into our own family. Owners of dogs that are either poodle or have poodle heritage can now be aware of the need to routinely check their dogs for ticks and to perhaps ensure the coats of these dogs are kept short,” said Dr. Dan O’Neil, lead author of the study. Designer dog breeds have become extremely popular among pet lovers in recent years. Poodles are often crossed with other pure breeds to create designer hybrids, mainly because of their low-shedding coats which are considered hypoallergenic. However, this new study points out that designer dogs are at an increased risk of tick infestations because of the poodle’s curly coat. The RVC’s VetCommpass study analyzed a random sample of veterinary health records of 900,000 dogs in the UK. The results showed that ticks are a common parasite in dogs, with one in every 50 dogs diagnosed with at least one tick infestation during five years. Researchers also looked at possible risk factors to understand what makes some dogs more likely to attract ticks than others. The possible risk factors included traits such as skull shape, breed purity, coat, and body weight. While the study found that newer designer breeds had a higher risk of tick infestation, it also discovered that some pure breeds are also at high risk. These included the cairn terrier, standard poodle, golden retriever, Person Russell terrier, and miniature schnauzer. Interestingly, researchers have established that Staffordshire bull terriers, rottweilers, Chihuahuas, and English bulldogs have the lowest risks of tick infestation. The study also found that male dogs had a 1.24 higher risk of attracting ticks than female dogs. Dogs with medium-length coats and pooches with V-shaped drop, or long, floppy ears also exhibited an increased risk of tick infestation. “Ticks aren’t just pests that feast on your dog and cause them to itch; they can also be carriers of serious diseases. They can be dangerous for any age of dog and indeed any breed - although this paper shows that some dogs can be more susceptible to picking them up due to their coat - so it’s important owners know what to do if they spot one,” said Bill Lambert, Welfare and Breeding Service Executive at The Kennel Club. Ticks are blood-sucking parasites that attach to a dog’s skin and can stay there for up to a week, before falling off when they are full of blood. In addition to feeding on a dog’s blood, ticks also transmit diseases. The most common tick-borne diseases that affect dogs are Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, hepatozoonosis, and bartonellosis. These are serious diseases that can have detrimental health consequences for dogs if not treated in time. Although ticks normally live in woodlands and grasslands, they can be found in urban areas and popular hiking trails. The best way to protect your pooch is to stay up to date with your dog’s tick prevention. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Does My Cat Have a Urinary Tract Infection?

Is your cat using the litterbox more frequently? Have you seen them straining or struggling to do their business? These are common signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI), a struggle faced by many aging cats.While a UTI is not life-threatening if caught early, it can be incredibly uncomfortable for your feline friend.This post will help you learn the signs and symptoms of a UTI in cats, understand the causes of an infection, and equip you with the information needed to decide if a trip to the vet is necessary. Most importantly, it will help you take steps to keep your cat feeling happy and healthy as quickly as possible.What Is A Urinary Tract Infection in Cats?Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are bacterial infections that occur in a cat’s bladder or urethra. UTIs are common in dogs but much less regularly seen in cats. However, senior cats and those with endocrine diseases, like hyperthyroidism or diabetes, are at a much higher risk. Luckily, these infections areas easily treated in most cases if caught and addressed early. This is why it’s so crucial for cat parents to be familiar with the warning signs.Common Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections in CatsWhen a cat begins to experience an infection, the warning signs are subtle and may be hard to spot. This is further complicated by the fact that symptoms can mimic many other conditions that affect the urinary tract or bladder.The most common signs to watch out for include:Straining or struggling to urinateOnly passing small amounts of urine or failing to urinate completelyBlood in the urineCrying or vocalizing while urinatingIncreased frequency of urination Accidents outside the litterboxFrequent licking of the genitalsAs some of the conditions associated with these warning signs can be severe or life-threatening, and a UTI left unaddressed can quickly become more serious, you shouldn’t ignore any of the red flags. If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian.Can Urinary Tract Infections in Cats Go Away on Their Own?If the infection is mild and your cat has a strong immune system, there is a chance that their body can fight off the infection effectively. However, this only occurs in the early stages, before any noticeable symptoms. If you have noticed any of the signs I listed above, the infection has likely progressed to the point that it requires treatment and veterinary care.Are Urinary Tract Infections Contagious?If you have multiple cats in your home, you will be relieved to hear that UTIs are not contagious from cat to cat. However, the development of a UTI in one cat could indicate that lifestyle or nutritional choices are being made that could increase the risk of other cats suffering from a similar struggle.This is a good sign to take a step back and reevaluate the decisions that have been made, including what you feed your cats, accessibility to fresh water (or encouragement to drink more water), and potential stress triggers. For more about this, keep reading to see tips to prevent a UTI in cats.How Does a Veterinarian Diagnose a UTI?When you first visit your vet’s office, they will conduct a physical exam and likely perform a urinalysis. This will help them better understand your cat’s physical condition and will help rule out many of the conditions associated with the warning signs. They will likely ask you several questions related to your cat’s lifestyle, water consumption, how often and how much they are urinating, and whether there have been any noticeable behavioral changes.The urinalysis checks your cat’s urine for the presence of substances like blood, proteins, sugar, and ketones. This provides unique insight into your cat’s overall health and well-being, helping your vet better understand what is happening.Your vet may also send a urine sample for a urine culture. This will confirm if there is a bacterial infection and the type of bacteria present. Unfortunately, a urine culture will often take several days before the results are available.Additional testing may be needed in rare cases, depending on the results of the initial exam. This could include x-rays, blood pressure, ultrasounds, or biopsies. Your veterinarian will provide you with more detailed information about what tests are needed and why they are necessary.

Puppy Blues is a Real Thing – Just Like Baby Blues, Study Shows

There is no doubt that puppies are super cute. When you first bring a tiny little bundle of fur into your home, it is a cause of great joy. But sometimes, life can change in many ways as you care for your new pet. A latest scientific study published in Mental Health Research reveals that almost half of all dog owners can experience something reminiscent of the famous “baby blues” – only related to puppies instead of babies.Many owners will experience anxiety, frustration, or weariness during those first steps of their pet’s puppyhood. The study that was conducted at the University of Helsinki confirmed that owners will experience a short-term drop in mood, and great melancholy, while their pet is a puppy - something that is akin to the famous postnatal “baby blues”. This is because caring for a puppy gives rise to a variety of worries and fears, anxiety and frustration, and difficulty bonding."The study found that these so-called 'puppy blues' manifest in three ways: anxiety, frustration, and weariness. These often occur concurrently, but in some cases, one or two of the three may be particularly prominent," said psychologist and doctoral researcher Aada Ståhl.When a puppy owner is anxious, their thoughts “are colored by concerns” about the wellbeing of their pet, and how they are developing. They can also be worried that they are not adequately looking after the fragile little being. If something doesn’t pan out, the owner would often blame themselves for it. What is more, as a result of the strain and the challenges of caring for a puppy, a puppy owner might become frustrated even further. In the initial stages, they might discover that it is difficult to build an emotional bond with the puppy, which would only make everything much more difficult.All of this makes puppyhood exhausting and very taxing mentally and physically. Owners could experience a lack of sleep and increased tiredness and anxiety."Just under half of owners report having had significant negative experiences during their dog's puppyhood phase, with only about a tenth reporting the most severe levels of strain. This is in line with the prevalence of postnatal depression. However, the negative feelings fade relatively quickly," says Professor Hannes Lohi.But the study now offers a key insight – the more time that passed since puppyhood, the more positively owners remembered it. This means that the negative emotional content of these memories “fades” as time passes. All these results were collected by examining the experiences of over 100 different dog owners, all of whom experienced emotional strain after bringing a puppy home. The survey was specifically developed to measure “puppy blues”. It collected specific responses from over 2,000 dog owners, ensuring the reliability of the survey."Capturing the phenomenon in a measurable form is important if we are to better understand its characteristics, prevalence, and duration. This will also allow us to improve understanding of the factors that may predispose owners to or protect them from the 'puppy blues,' which will help us to develop prevention and support measures," added Ståhl.The study offers a crucial new glimpse into the relationship between a pet and an owner. Exploring the puppy blues phenomenon will help raise awareness and prepare future owners for the challenges of puppyhood – as there are quite a few that come together with all that cuteness.

Can Cats Suffer From Depression?

Does your otherwise playful and friendly cat no longer seem interested in their favorite toys? It’s natural to worry when you notice a change in your best friend’s behavior. Changes in your cat’s mood or activity level may signal that something more serious is happening. We often watch for the warning signs of physical illness, but what about depression? Did you know that your cat can also struggle with their mental health? This article will examine the very real risk of feline depression, including the warning signs, what to do if you suspect your cat may be struggling, and prevention tips. Discover helpful strategies to boost your cat’s mental health and help them get back to their usual playful, purring self today. Can Cats Get Depressed? Cats are known for their independence and aloof attitude, but this doesn’t mean they don’t feel things – sometimes very intensely. Just like people, your cat can suffer from mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression. Not only does depression impact them mentally and emotionally, but it can also affect their physical health and well-being. This is why it’s important for us to acknowledge the risks, identify signs that something is “off,” and seek help for our cats when needed. How Can I Tell if My Cat is Depressed? We all know cats are masters of hiding when they aren’t feeling well. This is why physical illnesses and sicknesses can be so difficult to spot. The same is true for cats who are facing challenges with their mental health. The signs are often subtle, meaning we, as cat parents, must be hyper-vigilant. Some of the more common warning signs to watch out for include: Increased vocalization (constant meowing, yowling)Loss of appetite Unexplained weight loss Sleeping more than usual or at times they’d typically be active Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyedDecreased grooming or attention to hygieneDull, matted coat No longer seeking attention or interaction Out-of-character aggression or irritability Hiding or isolating themselves Many of these signs can also be associated with physical illnesses or diseases. If you notice any of these changes, make an appointment with your veterinarian. They will run tests to rule out any physical health problems before discussing recommendations to help manage your cat’s mental health.

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