Signs Your Dog is Experiencing Discomfort and What to Do About It?
Dogs, like humans, can experience stress and pain. Since they cannot tell you what is bothering them, it is up to you to recognize the signs of pain in dogs or the signs of stress in dogs. Studies have found that dogs have many more CB1 receptors in their brain compared to humans and also have cannabinoid receptors in their peripheral nervous system and other tissues. The CB2 receptors are found mostly in the immune system, tonsils and spleen.
This explains why dogs are overly sensitive to THC, but experience benefits from CBD. Adding CBD oil to your treatment plan may help reduce stress or pain, and improve the quality of life for your dog and you.
TLDR: Dogs express stress and pain in a variety of ways. Symptoms include excessive drooling, panting, difficulty moving, barking and trembling. The dog may have fearfulness and other common issues. You can take many steps to address your dog’s specific issues, including giving your dog CBD treats or oil, which early research and strong anecdotal evidence prove is effective.
Signs Your Dog is Experiencing Pain
The American Kennel Club names the various ways your dog may be in pain. Since dogs cannot tell you what they are feeling, you must interpret body language. The signs of pain in dogs include the following.
- Agitation
- Trembling
- Vocalization
- Restlessness
- Panting
- Reduced appetite
- Increased heart rate
- Unwilling to move
According to veterinarians, some of the other dog pain symptoms include an arched back, twitching muscles and hanging the head. A normally mild-mannered dog may get aggressive or do excessive licking. Dogs with arthritis are like people with arthritis. They limp, walk slower than normal and show reluctance to make certain movements like walking up stairs. The dog may have difficulty lying down, getting up off the floor or jumping on its favorite chair.
Signs Your Dog is Experiencing Stress
People with dogs afraid of fireworks or that experience canine separation anxiety quickly get familiar with signs of stress and anxiety. Anxiety and stress are reactions to feeling threatened or fearful or experiencing uncertainty. Feeling threatened or scared is a response to a direct threat. In separation anxiety, the dog reacts fearfully to being left alone or when someone your dog is attached to leaves.
The signs of stress in dogs are numerous. One study found 54 different signs indicating stress. Some of the most common signs of stress include the following.
- Destroying objects like furniture or rugs
- Whining or barking
- Howling
- Growling
- Constant pacing
- Excessive shedding
- Urinating unexpectedly in a situation like meeting a new dog
- Potty accidents
- Avoids interaction or shows disinterest
- Hides in some manner
Do dogs drool when nervous? The answer is “yes.” Drooling is usually accompanied by other symptoms, like whale eye, panting and rapid blinking. Some dogs naturally drool regularly, so it is when drooling is more excessive than normal that indicates the dog may be stressed.
The American Kennel Club says that watching body language is important. Stressed dogs may show whale eyes, revealing the whites of their eyes. They may have a tucked tail or ears and do much lip-licking and panting. Excessive yawning in dogs is another stress symptom. A serious sign of stress is when the dog freezes, which means the animal cannot cope with the situation. This is a scenario that can easily lead to biting.
What To Do When Your Dog Experience Discomfort?
It would be best to talk to your veterinarian about your pet’s stress, or signs that the dog is in pain. The pain may be due to a serious medical issue, but it is often the result of a condition that develops with normal aging. In cases of canine stress, you need to pinpoint and address common triggers. Following are some tips on responding to signs your dog is experiencing stress and pain and the veterinarian has ruled out a serious health issue.
Stress Relief
For stress relief, you can take the following steps.
- Give your dog CBD treats for pets or CBD oil, which can reduce stress and behaviors like excessive scratching.
- Exercise your dog daily because it can relieve tension and fearfulness, according to a study at the University of Helsinki.
- Provide a safe spot for your dog where your dog can relax or hide when anxious.
- Limit or avoid the situations you know cause stress.
- Give your dog a chew toy because chewing is calming.
- Play calming music.
- Show your dog affection.
The research on using CBD for stress relief in dogs is nascent, but many people say it works. A Leafreport survey of pet owners found that 44 percent of them gave their pets CBD to ease stress.
Pain Relief
To relieve pain, the following strategies have proven helpful.
- Make it easier for your dog to reach favorite spots, like using portable steps so the dog can reach the bed.
- With a veterinarian’s approval, give your dog an NSAID that the FDA approves for dogs to control pain.
The Leafreport survey mentioned earlier found that 21 percent of pet owners gave their pets CBD to ease pain.
For separation stress, leave for a short time and give your dog a treat upon returning. Over time, increase the time you are gone, praising the dog each time you return and rewarding your pet for good behavior.
Summary
Stressed-out dogs or dogs in pain will let you know they are experiencing emotional or physical discomfort. The challenge for pet owners is recognizing the signs of stress in dogs. The signs of pain in dogs may be more evident because the dog will limp, be unable to move in certain ways or make sounds indicating pain. The good news is that you can learn how to help a stressed dog find relief or experience less pain. Treating stress, anxiety or pain requires a combination of approaches, including giving the dog CBD products formulated for pets with a veterinarian’s guidance.
Sources
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6770351/
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/signs-that-your-dog-is-in-pain/
- https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/evr_dg_managing_pain_in_dogs
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8479053/
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/how-to-tell-if-your-dog-is-stressed/
- https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2021.645667/full
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200820102409.htm
- https://www.leafreport.com/education/cbd-for-pets-survey-what-do-pet-owners-really-think-about-pet-cbd-products-12531
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34605042/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8473042/
- https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/get-facts-about-pain-relievers-pets#Dogs
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