Is your pet stressed? Here’s how to help

Pets bring us so much joy, but just like us, they can experience stress and anxiety too. Whether it’s your dog, cat, horse, rabbit, or parrot, no animal is completely immune. The key to helping them is understanding what causes their stress and how to ease it.

This guide will take you through the common triggers, signs of stress, and practical tips to create a calmer, happier life for your pet.

Jump to:

• What causes pet stress?
• How to spot the signs of stress in:
  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • Horses
  • Rabbits and guinea pigs
  • Parrots and birds
  • Reptiles and lizards
• How stress impacts your pet’s health
• Ways to reduce your pet’s stress
• When to call in an expert

What causes pet stress?

Pets can get stressed for many reasons, and being aware of these triggers is the first step to helping them feel more secure:

• Changes in their environment: Moving house, redecorating, or even rearranging furniture can be unsettling. Adding new family members – whether it’s a baby or another pet – can disrupt their routine too.
• Loud noises: Fireworks, thunderstorms, or construction noises are common stressors, especially for animals with sensitive hearing like dogs, cats, and rabbits.
• Separation: Some pets, especially dogs, struggle when left alone. But cats, parrots, and other social animals can also experience separation anxiety.
• Health problems: Pain or illness can cause stress, so a sudden change in your pet’s behaviour might mean it’s time for a vet visit.
• Social situations: Trips to the vet, meeting new people, or encountering unfamiliar animals can be overwhelming.

How to spot the signs of stress

Since your pet can’t tell you they’re anxious, you’ll need to pay attention to their behaviour and body language. Here’s what to look for in different animals:

Stress in dogs

A stressed dog might pant excessively (even when it’s not hot), yawn often, or lick their lips. Other signs include a tucked tail, flattened ears, tense body, avoidance of eye contact, or dilated pupils.

They might also become destructive, excessively bark or whine, or lose their appetite. Some dogs might also show whale eye (where the whites of their eyes are visible), trembling, or a raised hackle (the hair on their back standing up).

Stress in cats

Cats often hide or withdraw when they’re stressed. You may notice changes in litter box habits (like urinating outside the box), excessive grooming (sometimes leaving bald spots or skin irritation), or increased aggression like hissing, scratching, or swatting.

Other signs include a stiff posture, dilated pupils, a twitching tail, or a decreased appetite. They might also become more vocal with unusual meows or growls.

Stress in horses

Horses can show stress by cribbing (biting onto objects and sucking air), weaving (rocking back and forth), or pacing. They might raise their heads high, widen their eyes, or become more jumpy and spookier during rides.

Other signs include excessive sweating, muscle tremors, a tight mouth, or a reluctance to be handled. They may also show a lack of interest in food or water.

Stress in rabbits and guinea pigs

Small animals tend to freeze or hide when anxious. Look for signs like rapid breathing, a hunched posture, or refusing food and water. Rabbits might also grind their teeth (a sign of pain or discomfort), over-groom, pull out their fur or chew at cage bars.

Guinea pigs might chatter their teeth, become withdrawn, or have diarrhoea. Any sudden change in their usual energetic behaviour can be a red flag.

Parrots and Birds

Parrots and birds can show stress by plucking their feathers, over-grooming, or chewing excessively on their feathers or cage. Other signs include changes in appetite, repetitive behaviours (like head bobbing or pacing), or biting.

They might also become destructive and scream loudly or stop vocalising completely. A dull appearance to their feathers, ruffled feathers when not sleeping, or changes in droppings can also indicate stress or illness.

Reptiles and Lizards

Reptiles and lizards can show stress through changes in colour (darkening or dulling), hiding excessively, or a refusal to eat. They might also display aggressive behaviours like hissing, biting, or tail whipping. Abnormal shedding, lethargy, or repetitive behaviours (like pacing in their enclosure) can also be indicators of stress. Some may also show rapid, shallow breathing or changes in their typical basking patterns.

How stress affects your pet’s health

Stress isn’t just a human problem, your pet can feel it too. While short-term stress is normal, long-term stress can harm your pet’s health.

Chronic stress can:

• Weaken their immune system, making them more likely to get sick.
• Cause behavioural problems like aggression or destructiveness.
• Lead to issues like digestive trouble or skin conditions.

Reducing stress isn’t just about keeping your pet happy, it’s about protecting their health for the long run.

Ways to reduce your pet’s stress

You can help your pet – whether it’s a dog, cat, rabbit, horse, bird, reptile, or lizard – feel calmer and safer with some simple strategies:

1. Create a safe space: Every pet, from dogs and cats to rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, reptiles, and lizards, needs a secure spot. This could be a cosy bed, a partially covered cage, or an enclosure with natural hiding spots.
2. Stick to a routine: Predictability helps all pets feel secure. Consistent feeding times, playtime, and handling – whether for a dog, cat, bird, or reptile – can significantly reduce stress.
3. Keep them entertained: Mental and physical stimulation is crucial. Offer chew toys for dogs and rabbits, interactive toys for cats, shreddable items for birds, and climbing branches or rearranged enclosures for reptiles to explore.
4. Offer reassurance: Interact in ways that suit their species. Gentle petting and verbal praise work well for dogs and cats. For rabbits and guinea pigs, quiet interaction and gentle handling are best. Birds often appreciate calm interaction, while reptiles and lizards may prefer minimal handling and a quiet presence.
5. Try calming products: Consider calming diffusers for dogs and cats, or specialist calming sprays for birds. For reptiles and lizards, optimising their environment with proper UV lighting and temperature controls can be calming. For peace of mind, always consult with a vet before introducing new products or significant changes into your pet’s routine.

When to get professional help

If your pet’s anxiety is really bad, won’t go away, or makes them aggressive, it’s time to get professional help.

First, see your vet to make sure there are no health problems causing the anxiety. If needed, they can send you to a specialist who deals with animal behaviour.

Make sure the person you choose to help with behaviour is properly certified and uses the newest and best methods. Old advice could actually make your pet more stressed or anxious.

Specialists registered with the ABTC (Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors) can help figure out why your pet is acting this way and create a specific plan to help them.

You can learn more about ABTC on their website.

A calmer pet means a happier life

Helping your pet feel less stressed is an important part of being a responsible owner. By recognising their triggers, understanding their signals, and creating a supportive environment, you can improve their quality of life – and strengthen your bond with them.

A calm pet isn’t just happier – they’re healthier too!