
Panic Attacks in Dogs: What To Look Out For
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When humans are distressed, we have the ability to communicate our feelings with language and ask for what we need. We also have the ability to meditate on a stressful situation, troubleshoot for a solution, and reason with ourselves. Our canine companions aren’t so fortunate.
Dogs, just like people, can have panic attacks. Learning how to recognize the signs and how to take the appropriate steps to calm your panicked dog can improve your pet’s life and reduce the chances that your dog will experience more panic attacks.
Why Do Dogs Have Panic Attacks?
Dogs don’t quite have the same complex concerns that humans have considering all their bills are always paid and their bowls are always full, but can still experience complex emotional responses. Panic attacks are often generalized and don’t have an apparent cause, although dogs prone to panic attacks can have a panic attack as a result of exposure to something distressing or something they’re afraid of, which works them into a heightened emotional state. The two do not necessarily need to correlate, as dogs with phobias don’t always have panic attacks and dogs with panic attacks don’t always have phobias. Here are a few of the most common triggers of panic attacks in dogs:- As a response to environmental distress, like thunderstorms
- They’re traumatized (like dogs adopted from abusive situations)
- They’re afraid of something, like another animal or a vet trip
- They’re sensitive to loud sounds (like arguments or music)
- Sometimes, panic attacks have no trigger
How To Recognize Panic Attacks in Dogs
Dogs don’t often have silent panic attacks. Panic is a strong motivator, and it’s likely that your dog will respond to their feelings in a noticeable way.- Diarrhea or frequently needing to go potty
- Vomiting or heaving
- Heavy panting
- Excessive whining
- Digging frantically in the carpet or the dirt
- Aimlessly pacing
- Trembling, shivering, or shaking
- Attempting to hide, often behind furniture or in closet
- Desperately seeking reassurance from a trusted human companion