I’m a vet – seven signs your dog is anxious and why you should be worried when they lick their lips
A VET has revealed the tell-tale signs of an anxious dog – and warned why you should be worried when they lick their lips.
Dr. Claire Stevens has shared the subtle actions pet owners can miss without realising their canine is “uncomfortable.”
She urged owners to keep an eye on their dog’s body language and disclosed what lip licking really means.
Claire shared the video on TikTok and said: “Lip licking is a subtle behaviour that dogs demonstrate when they feel stressed or uncomfortable.
“This is usually because something is going on around them which they perceive as a threat.”
The animal expert said lip licking is a dog’s way of “communication.”
“They are using their body language to let you know they are feeling anxious about something or someone,” she said.
“Lip licking is often referred to as an appeasement gesture – a common example of this is when people approach a dog or loom over a dog while they are eating.”
The vet explained this type of gesture can also be mistaken for an adorable act such as “whale eyes.”
“Dogs offer this appeasement gesture by licking their lips and averting their gaze and that’s also known as whale eyes,” she continued.
“This is a dog’s way of saying – I’m feeling threatened and sending a message to say ‘hey I’m nervous that you are going to take my food.’
“It’s really important to be conscious of our dog’s body language and if you see this, back right off and give them space to eat in peace.”
WARNING SIGNS
Anxiety can also be demonstrated when a dog shakes their body, according to Dogs Trust.
The full-body shake usually happens moments after they found something challenging.
A fourth sign of anxiety in dogs is when they slow down their movement, while another sign is when they crouch their body.
Both of these signs can often indicate that the dog feels unsure about something.
Another gesture that owners could mistake for happiness is an appeasement grin.
The fake smile is also referred to as a ‘submissive grin’ and can be shown whilst the pooch tries to reduce the chance of conflict.
Another huge indicator is panting. However, this gesture can also be linked to other health problems.
Vet and TikTok user @petlabco told his followers that the action can be linked to breathing issues.
He said: “If your dog pants after exercise or when they’re hot, that’s totally normal, but if you’ve noticed your dog is still panting while resting, or after you’ve cooled them down, this could be a sign of a more serious problem.”