Is your beloved Shih Tzu acting a bit strange lately? Have you noticed changes in their behavior and energy level? If so, it could be a sign of stress.
To help you better understand what’s going on with your Shih Tzu, this blog post will explain the top 14 most common Shih Tzu stress symptoms, as well as tips to help reduce their anxiety.
Read on to learn more!
Shih Tzu Stress Symptoms
Shih Tzus can suffer from stress-related problems. One common problem is that Shih Tzus can be destructive when they’re under stress. They may chew on things, dig holes, or bark excessively. Another problem is that Shih Tzus can be fearful and anxious. This can lead to problems with sleeping, eating, and playing.
There are ways to help your Shih Tzu cope with stress. You can crate train him, provide plenty of exercise, and make sure he has a comfortable environment.
If you notice that your Shih Tzu is struggling to cope with stress, talk to your veterinarian about possible treatments.
There are many reasons why a Shih Tzu may be struggling, but one of the most common causes is stress.
Let’s explain the top most common Shih Tzu stress symptoms, as well as tips to help reduce their anxiety:
1. Increased energy and activity levels but little rest: Are you the proud owner of a Shih Tzu?
If so, then you know that these little bundles of joy can bring lots of love and happiness into your life.
But did you know that they can also experience stress? It’s true! Just like humans, our furry friends can become overwhelmed and anxious in certain situations.
It’s important to be aware of the signs of stress in your Shih Tzu so that you can take steps to help them feel better.
Increased energy and activity levels but little rest.
If your Shih Tzu is suddenly running around the house, barking more than usual, or playing with toys for hours on end without taking a break, it could be a sign of stress.
2. Restlessness and pacing: Are you the proud owner of a Shih Tzu? If so, then you know that these little dogs are full of personality and can be quite active.
But did you know that your pup may also experience stress from time to time?
It’s important to recognize the signs of stress in your pet so that you can take steps to help them feel better.
One of the most obvious signs of stress in a Shih Tzu is restlessness and pacing.
If your Shih Tzu seems to be constantly on the move, it could be a sign that they’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed.
To help your Shih Tzu relax, try providing them with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation throughout the day.
Taking them for regular walks and playing interactive games can help to reduce their stress levels.
3. Crying and whining: Are you the proud owner of a Shih Tzu? If so, then you know that these little dogs are full of personality and love.
But did you know that they can also experience stress? It’s true! Just like any other pet, your Shih Tzu may show signs of stress from time to time.
One of the most common signs of stress in a Shih Tzu is crying and whining.
If your pup starts to cry or whine more than usual, it could be a sign that they are feeling anxious or overwhelmed.
This behavior can also be accompanied by other symptoms such as pacing, panting, and trembling.
If you notice your Shih Tzu exhibiting any of these behaviors, it’s important to take action right away.
The best way to help reduce stress in your Shih Tzu is by providing them with a safe and comfortable environment. Make sure they have plenty of toys to play with.
4. Aggression towards people and other animals: Are you the proud owner of a Shih Tzu? If so, then you know that these little dogs are full of personality and love.
But did you know that they can also suffer from stress? It’s true!
Just like any other animal, your Shih Tzu can become overwhelmed by stress and display certain behaviors.
One of the most common signs of stress in Shih Tzus is aggression towards people and other animals.
If your Shih Tzu has suddenly become aggressive, it’s important to take a step back and assess the situation.
What could be causing this behavior? Is there something in the environment that is stressing your Shih Tzu out?
It could be anything from a loud noise to an unfamiliar person. Once you’ve identified the source of stress, it’s time to take action.
The first step is to remove or reduce the source of stress as much as possible.
5. Difficulty concentrating: Are you the proud owner of a Shih Tzu? If so, then you know that these little dogs are full of personality and can be quite sensitive.
Unfortunately, this means they can also experience stress from time to time.
It’s important to recognize the signs of stress in your pup so that you can take steps to help them feel better.
One of the first signs that your Shih Tzu is feeling stressed out is difficulty concentrating.
If your normally obedient dog suddenly seems distracted and unresponsive, it could be a sign that they’re feeling overwhelmed.
This can be especially true if your Shih Tzu is in a new environment or around unfamiliar people.
Another common symptom of stress in Shih Tzus is excessive barking and whining.
If your Shih Tzu seems to bark more than usual, it could be a sign that they’re having stress.
6. Lack of interest in playing: Are you worried that your beloved Shih Tzu is feeling stressed?
Stress can manifest in many different ways, and it’s important to be aware of the signs so that you can help your pup feel better.
One common symptom of stress in a Shih Tzu is a lack of interest in playing.
If your Shih Tzu used to love playing fetch or tug-of-war, but now seems disinterested in these activities, it could be a sign of stress.
This is especially true if the lack of interest has come on suddenly and without any other obvious cause.
It’s important to take this symptom seriously, as it could be a sign of something more serious.
7. Separation anxiety: Are you the proud owner of a Shih Tzu? If so, then you know that these little dogs are full of personality and love.
But did you know that they can also suffer from stress-related issues? It’s true!
Just like any other pet, your Shih Tzu may experience stress from time to time.
One of the most common signs of Shih Tzu stress is separation anxiety.
This occurs when your Shih Tzu becomes overly attached to you and experiences distress when you’re not around.
Signs of separation anxiety include excessive barking, whining, pacing, panting, drooling, and even destructive behavior such as chewing on furniture or other items in the house.
If your Shih Tzu is exhibiting any of these behaviors, it’s important to take steps to reduce their stress levels.
8. Reduced appetite: Are you the proud owner of a Shih Tzu? If so, then you know that these little dogs are full of personality and love.
But did you know that they can also experience stress just like any other pet?
It’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of stress in your Shih Tzu so that you can take steps to reduce it.
One of the most common signs of stress in a Shih Tzu is reduced appetite.
If your pup isn’t eating as much as usual, or if they seem disinterested in their food, then this could be an indication that they’re feeling stressed.
It’s important to take note of any changes in your pup’s eating habits and talk to your vet if you have any concerns.
9. Changes in drinking habits: Are you worried that your Shih Tzu may be feeling stressed?
Stress can manifest itself in many different ways, and it’s important to recognize the signs so that you can help your pup.
One of the most common symptoms of stress in a Shih Tzu is changes in drinking habits.
If your Shih Tzu is drinking more than usual, it could be a sign that they’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed.
On the other hand, if they’re not drinking as much as normal, this could also indicate stress.
It’s important to keep an eye on their water intake and make sure they’re staying hydrated.
Other signs of stress in a Shih Tzu include changes in appetite, excessive barking or whining, and increased aggression.
If your Shih Tzu is exhibiting any of these behaviors, it could be an indication that something is wrong.
10. Excessive barking: Are you the proud owner of a Shih Tzu? If so, then you know that these little dogs are full of personality and can be quite vocal.
But did you know that your Shih Tzu may also be experiencing stress? It’s true! Stress in Shih Tzus is often expressed through excessive barking.
If your Shih Tzu is constantly barking, it could be a sign that they are feeling stressed out.
This type of behavior can be caused by many things, such as changes in their environment or routine, fear of strangers or other animals, and even boredom.
It’s important to identify the source of your pup’s stress so that you can take steps to reduce it.
Other signs of stress in Shih Tzus include panting, pacing, and trembling.
If your pup is exhibiting any of these behaviors, it’s important to take action right away.
Read more; Do Shih Tzus Bite ( 9 Causes Of Bite & Tips)
11. Lack of coat shedding: Are you the proud owner of a Shih Tzu? If so, then you know that these little dogs are full of personality and love.
But did you know that they can also suffer from stress? It’s true!
Just like any other pet, your Shih Tzu may experience anxiety or stress from time to time.
Knowing the signs of stress in your Shih Tzu can help you identify and address any issues before they become a bigger problem.
One of the most common signs of stress in a Shih Tzu is lack of coat shedding.
When a dog is stressed, their body will produce more cortisol, which can cause their coat to become thicker and less likely to shed.
If you notice that your Shih Tzu’s coat is not shedding as much as it usually does, this could be a sign of stress.
12. Difficulty breathing: Are you worried about your Shih Tzu’s stress levels? It can be difficult to tell when a dog is feeling stressed, but there are some signs that you should look out for.
One of the most common symptoms of stress in Shih Tzus is difficulty breathing.
If your Shih Tzu seems to behaving trouble taking deep breaths, or is panting more than usual, it could be a sign that they are feeling overwhelmed.
Other signs of stress in Shih Tzus include trembling, excessive barking and whining, hiding away from people and other animals, pacing back and forth, and refusing to eat.
13. Rapid heart rate: Are you the proud owner of a Shih Tzu? If so, then you know that these little dogs are full of personality and love.
But did you know that they can also experience stress just like any other pet?
It’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of stress in your Shih Tzu so that you can take steps to help them feel better.
One of the most common signs of stress in a Shih Tzu is an increased heart rate.
If your pup’s heart rate seems unusually high, it could be a sign that they are feeling anxious or overwhelmed.
You can check your pup’s heart rate by taking their pulse.
Place two fingers on the inside of their hind leg and count the beats for 15 seconds, then multiply that number by four to get an approximate heart rate per minute.
If it is higher than normal, it could be a sign of stress.
14. Elevated blood pressure: Are you the proud owner of a Shih Tzu? If so, then you know that these little dogs are full of personality and can be quite entertaining.
But did you know that they can also suffer from stress, just like any other pet?
It’s important to recognize the signs of stress in your Shih Tzu so that you can take steps to reduce it.
Elevated Blood Pressure. Just like humans, dogs can suffer from high blood pressure when they’re stressed out.
If your Shih Tzu is exhibiting signs of high blood pressure, such as panting or trembling, it’s important to take them to the vet right away.
Tips To Help Reduce Their Anxiety
Shih Tzu anxiety is a common problem, and there are ways to help reduce it.
Here are nine tips:
1. Provide plenty of exercise. A healthy diet and plenty of exercise are also important for reducing anxiety, but exercise is especially beneficial for Shih Tzus.
Exercise releases endorphins, which can reduce anxiety symptoms.
2. Make sure your Shih Tzu is socialized correctly. Socialization is important for all animals, but especially for Shih Tzus, who need to develop social skills.
Introduce your Shih Tzu to different people and environments, and make sure he spends time with other dogs.
3. Give your Shih Tzu a high-quality diet. A high-quality diet is important for all animals, but especially for Shih Tzus, who are prone to developing food allergies.
Make sure to feed your Shih Tzu a variety of foods, and feed him small amounts often.
4. Provide your Shih Tzu with appropriate toys. Toys are important for all animals, but especially for Shih Tzus, who are prone to developing boredom.
Make sure to provide your Shih Tzu with toys that are appropriate for his age and size, and that he can play with safely.
5. Provide your Shih Tzu with appropriate shelter. Shih Tzus are prone to developing skin allergies, so make sure to provide your Shih Tzu with an appropriate shelter that is free of allergens.
6. Avoid overexposure to sunlight. Overexposure to sunlight can increase your Shih Tzu’s risk of developing skin cancer.
7. Provide your Shih Tzu with appropriate toys and playtime. Make sure to provide your Shih Tzu with enough stimulation— including appropriate toys and playtime— to reduce his need to bark or chew.
8. Provide your Shih Tzu with appropriate shelter and sunlight. Provide your Shih Tzu with appropriate shelter and sunlight to reduce his need to bark or chew.
9. Provide your Shih Tzu with appropriate food and shelter. Provide your Shih Tzu with appropriate food and shelter to reduce his need to bark or chew.
