Recognising Anxiety in Dogs and Cats—and What You Can Do to Calm Them
Does your dog freak out during thunderstorms?
Does your cat hide every time guests come over?
That’s not just quirky behaviour—it could be a sign of pet anxiety.
Whether your dog’s chewing up furniture when you’re away, or your cat hides when guests visit—it could be anxiety, not misbehaviour.
Anxiety is one of the most common yet misunderstood behavioural issues in pets. Left unchecked, it can lead to destructive habits, health problems, and emotional distress.
In this post, you'll learn:
- ✅ What causes pet anxiety
- ✅ Subtle signs to look out for
- ✅ Natural + professional solutions
- ✅ How to help your pet feel safe again
📖 Also read: 5 Silent Signs Your Pet Might Be Unwell
What Is Pet Anxiety?
Just like humans, pets can feel fear, stress, and unease.
The difference? They can’t talk about it.
So they express it through behaviour—and often, that behaviour gets misread as "bad" when it’s actually anxiety-driven.
Common Causes of Pet Anxiety
Even the most loving and well-cared-for pets can experience anxiety. The key is to understand why it happens—because once you do, you can help prevent it, manage it, or treat it properly.
1. Separation Anxiety
This is one of the most common anxiety triggers in dogs—and it’s more widespread than many pet parents realise.
When pets become overly attached to their human, being left alone—even for a short time—can trigger full-blown panic.
🔍 What it looks like:
- Barking, whining, or crying when you leave
- Destroying furniture, chewing shoes, or scratching doors
- Peeing or pooping indoors (even when fully trained)
- Using the bathroom outside the litter box
💡 Why it matters:
They’re not trying to be naughty—they’re genuinely scared. This fear can deepen over time if not addressed with structure, gradual training, and sometimes even vet guidance.
2. Noise Sensitivity
Pets have highly tuned hearing. Sounds like fireworks, thunder, or sudden loud bangs (even a dropped pot or loud TV volume) can feel physically overwhelming to them.
Some pets—especially rescue dogs or small-breed dogs and cats—become traumatised by these sounds.
🔍 What it looks like:
- Hiding under beds or behind furniture
- Shaking or trembling
- Barking uncontrollably
- Refusing to eat or come out
💡 Tip: Desensitisation training, calming music, or thunder jackets can help over time. Also, try not to comfort them in a panicked state—it may reinforce the fear unintentionally.
3. Travel Anxiety
For many pets, the car means the vet. So it’s no surprise they start to associate travel with stress.
Others dislike the feeling of movement, the smells, or the cramped crate environment.
🔍 What it looks like:
- Vomiting or drooling in the car
- Refusing to get into the car
- Whining, barking, or trying to escape
💡 How to help:
Start with short, non-threatening trips (just around the block). Reward calm behaviour with treats. Let them associate the car with positive experiences—not just vet visits.
4. Changes in Environment
Dogs and cats thrive on routine. So when something big shifts—like moving house, a new baby, new furniture, or a new pet—they may not take it well.
Even minor changes like a different feeding time or a new walking route can unsettle them.
🔍 What it looks like:
- Sudden toileting accidents
- Restlessness or unusual pacing
- Constant hiding or clinginess
- Increased vocalisation or aggression
💡 Tip: Introduce changes slowly. Keep a part of their routine consistent (same bed, food bowls, feeding times) to give them a sense of stability.
5. Past Trauma (Especially in Rescue Pets)
Some pets carry invisible scars from their past. Abuse, neglect, abandonment, or living in harsh shelter conditions can all result in long-term anxiety—even after they’ve found a loving home.
🔍 What it looks like:
- Flinching when touched or approached
- Constant hiding or shaking
- Overreactions to everyday noise
- Fearful, aggressive or defensive behaviour with people or pet
- Over-grooming or licking bald spots
💡 What they need most:
Patience. Predictability. And positive reinforcement. It may take months (or longer), but trust can be rebuilt—slowly and gently.
6. Understimulation (Especially in High-Energy Breeds)
Not all anxiety is trauma-based. Some pets, especially working breeds or intelligent animals, develop anxiety simply because they’re bored.
If their minds aren’t engaged or their bodies aren’t exercised, they start creating their own stimulation—often in destructive or anxious ways.
🔍 What it looks like:
- Chewing furniture or digging
- Hyperactivity followed by sudden crashes
- Barking excessively at every sound
- Chasing their tail, spinning, or pacing
💡 Solution: Increase playtime, mental stimulation (puzzle toys), and exercise. Dogs like border collies or huskies, for example, need more than a 10-minute walk—they need purpose, challenge, and structure.
📖 Also explore: How to Know If Your Pet Is in Pain (Even When They Hide It)
Each of these signs is often dismissed as “acting out”—but they’re actually coping mechanisms and silent cries for help.
Understanding the why behind your pet’s behaviour is the first step in helping them feel safe, calm, and supported again.
Why Anxiety Isn’t Just Behavioural—It’s Physical
Chronic anxiety can lead to:
❌ Weakened immune system
❌ Digestive problems
❌ Weight loss or obesity
❌ Aggression or depression
❌ Self-harming behaviours (licking, biting, scratching)
This isn’t just a behavioural problem—it’s a wellness issue.
What You Can Do to Help Your Anxious Pet
✅ 1. Create a Safe Space
Set up a cozy, quiet zone with blankets, toys, and familiar smells.
✅ 2. Stick to a Routine
Pets thrive on predictability—consistent mealtimes, walk times, and bedtimes help reduce stress.
✅ 3. Use Calming Aids
Calming pheromone diffusers (like Adaptil or Feliway)
- Soothing pet-safe music
- Weighted vests or thunder shirts
✅ 4. Try Training & Desensitisation
Expose your pet to their fear trigger in small, manageable doses.
Example: Play thunderstorm sounds at low volume and reward calm behaviour. Slowly increase volume over time.
✅ 5. Talk to Your Vet
For severe anxiety, your vet may recommend behavioural therapy or anti-anxiety meds.
Bonus: Natural Remedies That May Help
💧 CBD Oil – May reduce anxiety in pets (vet-approved only)
🌿 Chamomile treats – Gentle calming benefits
🧪 L-Theanine – Naturally supports relaxation
💡 Lavender-based sprays – Use cautiously (safe for dogs, not for cats)
⚠️ Always speak to your vet before giving your pet any supplement.
Final Thoughts:
Don’t Punish Fear—Understand It
Your pet isn’t “acting up.”
They’re anxious, afraid, and need reassurance—not reprimands.
You have the tools to help.
✨ With patience, structure, and the right support, you can help your pet feel safe again.
📢 If you’ve ever helped a nervous pet, drop your story in the comments—it may help someone else!
