Veterinarians share 13 surprising signs your pet could be stressed, and how to help them

Sophia MitrokostasApr 30, 2020, 00:14 IST

If your friendly cat keeps hiding, they might be stressed or scared.Europa Press News / Getty Images

Cats and dogs can experience stress and anxiety, but sometimes it's tough to detect.
Excessive yawning and shedding are potential signs of stress in dogs.
Cats who have accidents outside of their litter box or who have a loss of appetite may be stressed out by their environment or fellow animals.
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Keeping your pet well means being on the lookout for signs they might be uncomfortable or unhappy. And, like humans, animals can experience stress and anxiety.

Insider spoke with veterinarians to try and identify some of the most common signs of stress in cats and dogs, and how to help them feel better.

Here are the top signs your pet might be feeling stressed or anxious, plus what you can do about it.

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Stress can cause a cat to eat less or not at all.

If your pet isn't eating as much as usual, they may be stressed or they could have an underlying medical issue. iStock

Cats who feel threatened may crouch and flatten their ears.

If your cat's ears are flattened, they may be feeling threatened. Shutterstock

Extremely agitated dogs may tuck their tails.

When dogs tuck their tails between their legs, they may need some space. Shutterstock

Trained cats who begin to have accidents outside of the litter box may be experiencing stress.

When a cat isn't using their litter box, it could mean they're stressed out by their environment or are experiencing a health issue. iStock

A stressed dog may have dilated pupils and flat ears.

Watching the facial features of a dog can give important clues about its state of mind. Shutterstock

A dog who is trembling and pacing is highly distressed.

If your dog is trembling, they may want to escape their current situation. Shutterstock

If your normally social cat has begun hiding beneath furniture or blankets, they could be stressed out.

If your friendly cat is suddenly hiding, they might be stressed or scared. Shutterstock

Yawning is a key sign of anxiety in dogs.

Yawning could be a sign your dog is tired, but if they're well-rested they might be showing they are stressed. Shutterstock

If your dog is barking or whining more than usual, they could be stressed.

If your dog won't stop barking, they might be in distress. Shutterstock

Excessive shedding is one subtle sign of stress in dogs.

If your pet is shedding excessively, they may have a health issue or be stressed. Shutterstock

Cats and dogs sometimes lick their lips and noses when they're upset.

If your cat is licking their nose and lips, they might be nervous. Shutterstock

Pets may show a "whale eye" when they're nervous.

If your pet is giving you a lot of side-eye, they might need some space. Shutterstock

Stressed pets may groom themselves excessively.

When a pet cleans themselves too much, they might experience skin irritation and fur loss. Shutterstock

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