Bang! Bang! Bang! Loud noises like fireworks can cause anxiety for anyone -especially dogs. With such sensitive hearing (tuned to hear quiet noises like small prey animals rustling in the woods) it is no surprise that a loud noise would bring a scare, but can my dogs anxiety cause real pain? Yes, let us explore why and what that looks like.
Dogs Anxiety Cause Real Pain, Really!
Humans today are no strangers to anxiety. With such a fast-paced world, who doesn’t have a lot of stress going on? As it turns out, dogs can suffer from anxiety too. You might be asking yourself “does my dogs anxiety cause real pain like my anxiety causes me pain?”
Anxiety in dogs is remarkably similar to anxiety in humans. It can come in short bouts or last for long periods of time. Chronic anxiety can lead to chronic pain. Dogs that are very sensitive will experience more anxiety than dogs that are less sensitive. Anxiety can be prompted by things like sudden, loud noises, being punished, and changes in routine. Pain is routinely experienced by both dogs and humans who suffer from anxiety (source).
Signs of Anxiety In Your Dog
Does your dogs anxiety cause real pain? There are symptoms that you can look for. Not all of the symptoms listed below need to be present for your dog to be suffering from anxiety.
- Panting
- Pacing
- Drooling
- Scratching
- Escaping
- Shutting down
- Whimpering
- Lowered or limp tail
- Trembling
- Reduced appetite
If your dog is experiencing these symptoms for a prolonged period of time, you should contact your veterinarian for guidance. They may be able to help you figure out exactly what is causing your dog’s anxiety and help you to reduce the stressors in your dog’s life.
Physiology of a Dogs Anxiety
How does a dogs anxiety cause real pain? Anxiety is part of the way a dog (or a human) deals with stress. When a dog is experiencing stress and anxiety, certain hormones, like norepinephrine are released. These hormones result in what we know as the “fight or flight” response. A dog’s physiology is preparing the dog to be able to fight off an attacker or flee from that attacker.
When a dog experiences anxiety, their heart rate increases, their blood pressure goes up, and their brain chemistry begins to shift. It can cause disruptions in the way digestion works, muscle cramping, headaches, and so much more. As you can see, anxiety does not just cause emotional pain, dogs anxiety cause real pain.
Things That Help Your Dogs Anxiety
You may not be able to stop the fireworks from happening in your neighborhood, but you can help your dog with their anxiety. Dogs anxiety cause real pain. Reducing anxiety means reducing pain. When the fireworks come around, using CrittEar dog earplugs to help reduce the noise. While reducing noise, the dog earplugs also create a soothing feeling for the dog.
To further create a sense of peace, train your dog to use a small crate or kennel as a safe place that will not be disturbed. Add some soft music that will add a normal sound to what the dog can hear and drown out the loud noises even more. If necessary, wrap your dog’s body in a snug, but not tight ace bandage. This will create a hug-like sensation that will create even more comfort. All of this combined with your CrittEar dog earplugs will make firework season easier and much less painful for your dog!
Interesting post! I’ve noticed that my senior dog has gotten more sensitive to loud noises as he’s aged. He used to have no issues when he heard things like fireworks, but now they bother him. I use a white noise machine, or the tv or radio, to create background noise and snuggle up with him, and those things seem to bring him comfort.
Great post and Layla with age is becoming anxious so we are dealing with it on a daily basis, I have a vet appointment next month to discuss it all with the vet as I want to solve it
I know as a pet parent our emotions and environment can have a direct impact on our pets emotions and well being. I didn’t realize it can also manifest into physical pain. 🙁 It’s nice to know that CrittEar ear plugs are a potential option to help soothe and ease anxiety in dogs to help lessen symptoms. Thanks for sharing this information.
If my dogs were bothered by fireworks, I would get some of these for them. Our town sets off the fireworks about a mile from our house. Luckily, all of our pets seem unfazed by them so far.
I had not thought about anxiety causing pain. But that makes perfect sense, it does activate the hormones that would eventually cause pain. Wow, that’s really food for thought! I wonder if there’s been any studies on arthritis in dogs and anxiety? Hmmm….maybe there’s a correlation?
I didn’t realise anxiety could be so powerful an effect on dogs but I am glad you offer a solution.
I know we got a lot of people around here thinking that fireworks are “so much fun” on Bonfire night but, sorry it’s not fun for animals at all.
The idea of ear plugs for dogs is new for me. I’d love to see people’s reactions to this development. Sounds like a great idea!