10 Warning Signs Your Dog Is Secretly Stressed (And What to Do About It)
Your dog can’t say the words — but their body is always talking. Here are the signs most owners miss, and the simple steps that actually help.
Most dog owners notice the obvious: a dog trembling during thunderstorms, cowering at the vet, or barking at strangers. That is textbook anxiety, and it is easy to spot.
But chronic, low-level stress? That one hides. It shows up as a weird new habit, a subtle shift in posture, or a behavior you chalk up to “just being quirky.” And if it goes unaddressed, it compounds. Stressed dogs get sick more often, age faster, and develop behavioral problems that become genuinely hard to reverse.
After years of working alongside vets and animal behaviorists, we put together this guide to help you catch what you might be missing — and, more importantly, what to do when you do.
The 10 Signs to Watch For
Yawning when they are not tired Subtle
A yawn in a relaxed dog means sleepiness. A yawn during walks, greetings, or training is a classic calming signal — your dog’s way of saying “this situation is too much for me right now.” Watch for clusters of yawns in stimulating environments.
Excessive lip licking or nose licking Subtle
Outside of mealtime, repeated tongue flicks across the lips or nose are a displacement behavior. The dog is trying to self-soothe in a situation that feels uncomfortable. You will often see this when a dog is being petted by a stranger or asked to do something they find stressful.
Refusing food they normally love Watch
A dog who skips their favorite treat during training or turns away from their food bowl is showing a stress response. High cortisol levels suppress appetite. If this lasts more than a day or two, it is worth a vet call to rule out medical causes too.
Sudden shedding bursts Subtle
Ever noticed your dog leaving a cloud of fur at the vet but barely shedding at home? Stress triggers a physiological “fight or flight” response that can cause rapid hair follicle release. A single stressful outing can result in noticeably more shedding for 24 to 48 hours afterward.
Whites of the eyes visible (“whale eye”) Watch
When a dog turns their head slightly away but keeps their eyes locked on something, you see a crescent of white at the edge of the eye. This is called whale eye, and it signals that your dog feels conflicted, threatened, or deeply uncomfortable. Give them space immediately.
Tail tucked even during normal activity Subtle
A tucked tail during a thunderstorm makes sense. A tail carried low during a neighborhood walk, playtime, or family dinners is telling you something is off. Chronically low tail carriage often points to ongoing anxiety rather than a single trigger.
Panting without physical cause Watch
Heavy breathing in a cool room, after light activity, or during calm moments is a red flag. Stress panting looks almost identical to heat panting, so rule out temperature first. If your dog pants at night, before car rides, or during social situations, anxiety is the likely driver.
Destructive behavior only when alone Watch
Chewing shoes, scratching doors, tipping over trash — if this happens exclusively when you leave, your dog is not being spiteful. They are panicking. This is separation anxiety, and it responds well to gradual desensitization and calming support, but it does need to be addressed.
Digestive upset with no dietary change Subtle
The gut-brain connection in dogs is real. Chronic stress disrupts gut motility, leading to loose stools, vomiting, or constipation that has no obvious food-related cause. If your dog has recurring digestive issues and your vet has cleared them medically, look at stress as a root cause.
Hyper-vigilance or inability to settle Watch
A dog who paces, scans the environment constantly, cannot settle on their bed, or startles at small sounds is running on a hair-trigger nervous system. This is exhausting for the dog and often means their baseline stress level is chronically elevated, not just situationally high.
Signs marked Watch above can escalate. If you see three or more of them consistently, talk to your vet before trying at-home solutions. Anxiety disorders in dogs are treatable — but they do not resolve on their own.
What You Can Actually Do About It
The good news is that most stress in dogs is manageable with the right combination of environment, routine, and support. Here is where to start.
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Lock in a consistent daily routine. Dogs are creatures of deep habit. Feeding, walking, and sleeping at predictable times lowers baseline cortisol more than almost any supplement or tool.
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Increase physical exercise — especially sniffing. Sniffing is mentally exhausting in the best possible way. A 20-minute sniff walk on a long leash does more for a dog’s stress levels than a 45-minute brisk walk at your pace. Let them lead.
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Create a safe den space. A crate lined with familiar scents, or a quiet corner with their own bed and blanket, gives your dog a place to decompress that is entirely theirs. Do not force them in — let them choose it.
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Consider natural calming support. Ingredients like chamomile, L-theanine, and ashwagandha have solid evidence behind them for reducing canine anxiety without sedation. Look for products with transparent ingredient sourcing and appropriate dosing for your dog’s size.
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Work with a certified behaviorist for persistent cases. If stress is severe or long-standing, a professional behavior consultation is worth every penny. Many issues that seem intractable resolve quickly with the right structured approach.
Try a five-minute massage along your dog’s spine before any known stressor (car ride, guests arriving, grooming). Studies show consistent slow-stroke petting lowers cortisol in dogs measurably. It takes almost no time and costs nothing.
Key Takeaways
- Stress in dogs is often subtle — yawning, lip licking, and low tail carriage are easy to miss
- Chronic stress affects digestion, immunity, and behavior over time
- Consistent routine and adequate exercise address root causes, not just symptoms
- Natural calming supports can help, especially during transitional periods
- Persistent or severe anxiety deserves professional guidance from a vet or behaviorist
People Also Ask
A tired dog usually settles easily and sleeps soundly. A stressed dog may seem restless even when lying down, yawn repeatedly, lick their lips, or startle easily. If the behavior is new or paired with other signs on this list, stress is more likely than fatigue.
Yes. Chronic stress suppresses the immune system and can cause digestive upsets, skin problems, and behavioral deterioration over time. Addressing it early protects both your dog’s mental and physical health long-term.
Consistent routines, calming chews with chamomile or L-theanine, gentle massage, increased physical exercise, and a designated safe space at home all make a measurable difference. For severe anxiety, a vet or certified animal behaviorist can guide you toward the right combined approach.
