Dogs may pace restlessly the same way humans tend to pace when faced with anxiety. Excessive or uncommon barking and whining are also ways in which dogs express discomfort and are likely signs that they are anxious
With life becoming more hectic and fast-paced every day, stress is an inevitability. This holds true not just for us, but for beloved pets as well. Ever our most faithful companions, dogs have acclimated to life alongside us across generations. However, given the strenuous nature of modern urban life, it is important now more than ever for us to give them a hand so that we can continue to flourish together in today’s rapidly changing world.
The hectic and overstimulating nature of urban life is quite different from what dogs have naturally been attuned to. Having descended from wolves, dogs have ancestrally been accustomed to living in nature on a diet of meat and protein with vast, open spaces to explore and exercise in. The compact, noisy, and urbane environments in cities don’t afford such a life anymore and bring further challenges such as noise, pollution, and isolation. These factors combine and leave dogs prone to stress.
Prateek Raj Singh, CEO & Founder of Fabled Pet Food shares, “The most common signs of stress in dogs will show up in their behaviour. A major sign of tension in dogs is excessive shaking. While shaking is a common way for them to dry themselves, if you find your dog trembling then it may well be a sign that they are feeling distressed. Another common indicator of stress is pacing. Dogs may pace restlessly the same way humans tend to pace when faced with anxiety. Excessive or uncommon barking and whining are also ways in which dogs express discomfort and are likely signs that they are anxious. Bodily changes such as shedding, panting, or excessive licking, and shifts in body language such as rapid blinking, excessive urination, and refusal of food are also common markers of stress in dogs. It is essential to know the behaviour patterns and body language cues of your dog. If you find them reacting unnaturally or uncharacteristically, then it may be an indicator that all is not well with them.”
If you find your dog displaying signs of stress, the first step is to identify what is causing it and if possible, remove it from their vicinity. Creating a safe space in your home can go a long way in helping with this. If your dog has a quiet spot with familiar items and comforting scents, they can use it as a space to regroup from whatever is stressing them. Similar to humans, grounding behaviours can help dogs contend with stressful situations. Familiar commands such as ‘sit’ or ‘come’ can be great grounding mechanisms for dogs as they restore a sense of normalcy and safety. Exercise can also be a great reliever of stress. Taking your dog for a walk or playing games such as fetch with them can occupy their mind and relieve them from stress by producing endorphins. Comforting them by petting, cuddling, and massaging can have a much-needed soothing effect as well.
In the long term, being mindful of your dog’s overall well-being is crucial in helping them adapt to tension. Stress in today’s world is inevitable, and the best we can do is prepare them so that they can thrive in the face of it. Make sure your dog is getting adequate exercise and stimulation in their day-to-day life to keep their mind and body active. Exploring, going on walks and tools such as puzzle toys can be very effective ways of ensuring this. Alongside this, make sure to set aside enough quality time to spend just with them. Try going on adventures and engaging fully with playtime to make sure your connection with them stays strong.
The most important facet of a dog’s well-being is nutrition. Dogs need a diet that is conducive to their lifestyle in order to stay healthy, happy and stress free. Urban dogs need a diet that is rich in animal protein from fresh, wholesome sources. This could include chicken, turkey, duck and tuna. This protein needs to be balanced by the right amount of organic botanicals and nutritional powerpacks such as berries. Finally, it needs to be rounded out by inclusions of healthy fats such as chicken oil or coconut oil. Look for foods that check all these boxes without leaning on filler ingredients and artificial additives.
To thrive in today’s ever-changing world, our beloved furry companions need our support. In the same way, they have stood by us and comforted us through endless challenges, we need to lend our support to them so they can adapt to modern-day stresses. The only way to enable this is by being mindful of what causes them stress and adopting a holistic and lifestyle-appropriate approach to their care.
