{"id":4525,"date":"2026-05-19T14:14:06","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T14:14:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bangbizarre.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/19\/84-per-cent-of-dogs-suffer-from-anxiety\/"},"modified":"2026-05-19T14:14:07","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T14:14:07","slug":"84-per-cent-of-dogs-suffer-from-anxiety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bangbizarre.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/19\/84-per-cent-of-dogs-suffer-from-anxiety\/","title":{"rendered":"84 per cent of dogs suffer from anxiety"},"content":{"rendered":"

2026-05-19 14:14:06<\/b>
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More than eight in 10 dogs may now be suffering from anxiety or fear, according to a major new study.

\nResearchers from Texas A+M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences analysed the behaviour of more than 43,000 dogs and found anxiety is far more common than previously thought.

\nThe team examined data from 43,517 dogs enrolled in the Dog Aging Project, with owners answering questions designed to measure fear and stress levels in their pets.

\nThe findings, published in Veterinary Research Communications, revealed that 91 per cent of dogs displayed at least mild signs of fear or anxiety.

\nWhen researchers removed nail trimming and bathing, considered learned fears, the figure still stood at a staggering 84 per cent.

\nCommon triggers included unfamiliar people, strange dogs, loud noises, unusual objects and new situations.

\nExperts say the warning signs are often easy to spot.

\nWhimpering, whining, trembling, freezing, hiding and attempts to escape can all point to anxiety, alongside crouching or cringing with the tail tucked between the legs.

\nDr Bonnie Beaver, who authored the study, said: “These are behaviours most owners have seen at some point.

\n“What this research shows is just how common those responses are \u2013 and how important it is that we pay attention to them.”

\nThe researchers explained: “Fear and anxiety are related emotions that can be associated with a variety of situations considered threatening by a dog.

\n“Physiologically, most anxiety is short-term, lasting minutes or hours, but an animal’s health can be negatively affected when anxiety becomes stressful and is experienced over long periods of time.”

\nSevere anxiety can become dangerous if left untreated.

\nDr Beaver recalled: “I’ve seen dogs get to the point where they’re so distressed during storms that they try to chew through brick walls just to get into their house.

\n“Once it reaches that level, it is almost impossible to manage.”

\nShe warned that repeated exposure to stressful situations can cause fear to escalate.

\nDr Beaver said: “When dogs are repeatedly put into situations they’re not comfortable with, such as having to interact with strangers, that fear can escalate.

\n“In some cases, the only way they know how to respond is through aggression.

\n“The concern is when that fear becomes more consistent or continues to increase over time. That’s when we need to step in.”
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