Dogs, the most faithful companions humans have, can often suffer from stress. Unfortunately, it is one of the most overlooked chapters for us. Since they cannot communicate with us, as pet owners, we tend to evaluate them by their behavior. Stress, in this case, is a silent predator. The obvious signs, like trembling or barking, aren’t always evident. Chronic stress can prove to be a handful for the dog, weakening it from the inside out.
Indeed, even the best pet parents find it difficult to realize how stress can affect a dog. Interestingly, it isn’t limited to changing their mood or behavior only; it hits deeper, and their immune system takes the blow. In the long term, stress can affect how well their body can fight illness, heal wounds, and maintain optimum health. As mentioned before, the impact of chronic stress is usually subtle, gradual, and often misunderstood. Here, let us try to understand how stress works its way into a dog’s immune defenses, and why being emotionally well is indispensable for our four-legged friends, as is their diet and exercise.
Understanding stress in dogs
When stress creeps in, the dog’s reaction isn’t always dramatic. It might not display any acts of panic or aggression. To be honest, the most damaging stress is often low-level but ongoing. The root cause of stress in dogs can stem from the following factors:
- Unpredictable routines.
- Prolonged illness.
- Constant noise or chaos in its environment.
- Tension in the household (yes, dogs can evaluate human emotions well).
As you can understand, unlike their human counterparts, dogs cannot rationalize stress. Neither can they reassuringly talk to themselves, thinking “this too shall pass”. Under the influence of stress, their bodies react, as simple as that. Therefore, one should always keep the dogs happy.
Decoding the immune system of a dog
As in humans, a dog’s immune system is no different. It acts as an internal shield and protects them from bacteria and viruses, parasites, inflammation, and abnormal cell growth. When the system is functioning well, it works quietly in the background. As stress starts interfering, it immediately disturbs the balance of the immune system, and as mentioned earlier, the signs are not always visible.
How stress alters a dog’s body
When a dog feels stress, their body releases stress hormones, known as cortisol. For those who do not know, the above-mentioned response is meant to be temporary, which helps them survive the present situation. However, as stress levels increase, the cortisol levels grow with it as well. It is from this point that problems start kicking in. A dog exposed to cortisol for a prolonged time can have various negative effects, in the form of:
- Suppressing immune cell production.
- Reducing the body’s inflammatory response when it is needed the most.
- The gut health goes for a toss, and it is here where much of the immune system resides.
- The rise in cortisol levels slows healing and recovery.
Elaborating on the connection between a dog’s gut, immune system, and stress
Even the best dog parent can overlook the aspects of gut health. For your information, nearly 70% of a dog’s immune system is tied to their digestive tract. Thus, when under stress, it disturbs this bonding by altering gut bacteria, reducing nutrient absorption, and increasing inflammation. For that reason, a stressed dog can frequently experience the following:
- Frequent digestive upset.
- Sensitivities to certain foods.
- Weakened resistance to illness.
Signs that stress is affecting the dog’s immunity
When stress is at its full form, the issues happening inside the immune system would obviously remain invisible to humans. Thus, it becomes necessary to observe the bodily patterns of the dog. The signs to watch out for are:
- Recurrent ear or skin infections.
- Wounds are taking a lot of time to heal.
- Regular digestive issues like stomach upset.
- A sudden spike in allergies or itching.
- The dog remains lethargic without any specific reason.
- Vulnerable to colds and infections frequently.
Initially, these may seem minor, but even before we realize, all these conditions start surfacing together, and it is a clear indication that their immune system is not behaving appropriately.
Emotional vs. physical stress
Stress can affect dogs both mentally and physically. Aspects like separation anxiety, lack of social connection, fearful environments, and unpredictable human behavior can trigger mental stress. Physical stress can make them feel overexerted, suffer from chronic pain, lack of sleep, and nutritional deficiencies. Both types have a negative impact on immunity, but emotional stress is often overlooked and underestimated since it doesn’t leave any physical mark.
Why are some dogs more vulnerable than others?
Here is an interesting similarity between dogs and humans. Just like humans, dogs also react differently to stress. Dogs that are more prone to immune-related stress include:
- Highly sensitive breeds.
- Dogs collected from rescue centers that had previous experience of trauma.
- Senior dogs.
- Dogs are exposed to regular environmental changes.
These dogs demand greater emotional consistency, and unless handled appropriately, they can lead them to suffer further.
The role of routine in immune health
Experienced dog owners and experts always agree that routine changes can impact dogs. It is not about how you handle the dog; instead, it is about predictability. By maintaining a fixed schedule, as a dog parent, you can help reduce their cortisol levels, improve sleep quality, support digestion, and strengthen their immune resilience. Dogs who become accustomed to this predictable routine feel safer, and it helps safeguard them from stress.
The relation of human emotion to stress in dogs
Dogs often connect deeply with human emotions. Therefore, when their human parents are stressed, anxious, or emotionally withdrawn, the dogs can sense it immediately. Of course, they cannot understand the exact cause why something feels off, but they can sense it. In such situations, it can elevate their stress hormones. Undoubtedly, calm humans tend to have calmer pet dogs who have healthier immune systems.
Managing the stress levels of a dog through emotional care
As a prospective or current pet owner, remember that immune support isn’t just about feeding the dog the best supplements. Emotional stability has an equally significant role. Therefore, for managing the stress levels, you should practice the following:
- Create predictable patterns: Feeding, walks, playing, and rest should follow a familiar rhythm.
- Prioritize quality sleep: When dogs rest, it should be uninterrupted. Chronic sleep disruption can weaken their immune system.
- Encourage mental enrichment: Items like puzzle toys, scent training, and gentle workouts (depending on the breed) help reduce stress hormones naturally.
- Maintenance of social connection: Dogs seldom prefer isolation; it can trigger their stress levels immediately. Ensure they are always surrounded by someone from the family.
- Reduce environmental chaos: Noise, constant visitors, and tension-filled atmospheres can slowly but steadily increase stress levels. The dogs prosper well in calm and peaceful places.
Need for professional support
If stress-related symptoms show no signs of reducing, vet guidance becomes mandatory. Chronic immune suppression, as already mentioned, can lead to various medical conditions. The trained behaviorists and vets can use positive reinforcement methods to address the emotional stress and prevent it from worsening further.
It is natural, as a dog owner, to focus on the aspects that seem more essential, like its diet, exercise, and vaccination. However, the dog’s emotional well-being is equally important, and keeping them mentally agile can help reduce stress levels at bay.