Dogs can't tell us when they're feeling anxious or overwhelmed, so it's easy to miss the early signs. Some are obvious, like a dog who won't stop pacing during a thunderstorm or barks frantically the moment you pick up your keys. Others are much subtler and can be mistaken for normal behaviour, personality quirks, or simply "how they've always been."
This matters because stress and anxiety in dogs tend to build gradually rather than appear overnight. A dog showing mild signs today, if left unsupported, can develop a stronger, more entrenched response over time. Catching the early signals gives you the chance to make small adjustments before things escalate into something harder to manage.
Knowing what to look for makes a real difference. This guide covers the behavioural and physical signs your dog may need extra calming support, the situations that tend to trigger them, and how to start building a calmer, more supported routine.
Behavioural Signs
Behavioural changes are often the first indication that a dog is struggling with stress or anxiety. Some of the most common signs include:
- Excessive barking or whining that seems out of proportion to the situation
- Pacing or an inability to settle, particularly in the evening or during specific events
- Hiding or clinging to their owner more than usual, especially in unfamiliar environments
- Destructive behaviour, such as chewing furniture or scratching at doors, particularly when left alone
- Withdrawal from play, walks or interactions they'd normally enjoy
- Repetitive behaviours, such as excessive licking, tail chasing or circling, which can be a self-soothing response
- Increased vigilance, such as startling easily or seeming constantly on alert even in familiar settings
Some of these signs are subtle enough that owners put them down to a dog simply being highly strung or having a certain personality. Tracking when and how often they happen can help reveal whether it's a consistent pattern rather than an occasional one-off. Keeping a simple note of what was happening just before the behaviour started, whether that's a visitor arriving, a loud noise outside, or being left alone, can be genuinely useful when you're trying to spot patterns over a few weeks.
Physical Signs
Anxiety in dogs doesn't only show up in behaviour. It often shows up physically too, and these signs can be easy to overlook if you're not specifically looking for them.
- Excessive panting without an obvious reason such as heat or exercise
- Trembling or shaking, particularly in response to loud noises or unfamiliar situations
- Changes in appetite, either eating noticeably less or, in some dogs, eating more
- Digestive upset, including a sensitive stomach that flares up around stressful events
- Excessive shedding or licking, sometimes to the point of irritating the skin
- Changes in sleep, including difficulty settling, restless sleep, or sleeping far more than usual as a coping mechanism
- Dilated pupils or a tucked tail, both common body language signals of a stressed or fearful state
It's worth noting that many of these physical signs overlap with other health conditions, so if they're persistent or severe, a vet visit is the right first step to rule out anything medical before assuming it's stress related. Pain, for instance, can produce very similar signs to anxiety, including panting, restlessness and a reluctance to settle, so ruling out a physical cause first is always worthwhile.
Common Triggers
Understanding what triggers a stress response can help you anticipate and support your dog before things escalate. Common triggers include:
- Loud or sudden noises, such as fireworks, thunderstorms or building work
- Separation from their owner or a change in who's usually around
- Changes in routine, including moving house, a new pet or family member, or a shift in daily schedule
- Unfamiliar environments or meeting new people and animals
- Ageing, since some older dogs experience increased anxiety as part of cognitive changes
- Past experiences, particularly for rescue dogs who may carry associations from before they joined your household
- Boredom or under-stimulation, which can build into restlessness and stress over time, particularly in working breeds
Not every dog reacts to every trigger. Some dogs sail through fireworks night without a flicker of concern but fall apart the moment their routine changes. Others are the opposite. Knowing your own dog's specific triggers is often more useful than a generic list, and it's something that tends to become clearer the more closely you watch for patterns over time.
Supporting A More Relaxed Routine
Once you've noticed the signs, the next step is building some structure around supporting a calmer dog. A few things that tend to help:
- Consistent daily routine, since predictability itself has a calming effect for many dogs
- A safe, quiet space your dog can retreat to when things feel overwhelming
- Regular exercise, which helps release tension and supports better sleep
- Natural calming support, such as calming support products formulated to gently support the nervous system
- Mental stimulation, such as puzzle feeders or short training sessions, which can help redirect nervous energy in a positive way
Ingredients like hemp seed oil and Lion's Mane are commonly explored by owners looking for a natural option. Our hemp wellness products are a gentle starting point for dogs who could use some extra calming support day to day. Natural options like these work best as part of a wider routine rather than a standalone fix, so pairing them with the environmental and lifestyle changes above tends to produce the best results.
If you'd like a deeper look at building a calming routine from the ground up, our guide to natural ways to calm dogs covers this in more detail."Natural Ways to Calm Dogs" is published]
A 2022 review in Frontiers in Veterinary Science looked at environmental and nutritional approaches to canine anxiety, noting that a combination of routine, environment and targeted nutritional support tends to be more effective than any single change on its own.
Above all, patience matters. A calmer routine takes time to have an effect, and different dogs respond to different combinations of support. Small, consistent changes tend to produce more lasting results than trying everything at once.
If your dog is showing some of these signs, explore our full range of natural dog supplements to find gentle, natural support that fits your dog's routine.