Although dogs and cats don’t speak our language, they do communicate. We just need to know how to interpret their body language.
When our pets are uncomfortable, anxious, or worried they often exhibit certain subtle behaviors. Savvy pet owners can pick up on these cues and help get their pets into a less stressful situation.
When your dog yawns, is he just sleepy? And when your pup licks her lips, is she just enjoying the last of her meal? When your dog looks away from you or walks away, is he just bored? All of these behaviors could be signs that your dog is uncomfortable in the current situation.
Other indications that your dog is feeling anxious may be blinking quickly, chattering their teeth, dropping their ears, slinking low to the ground, or shaking off as if wet. One of the most telling signs that your dog is nervous is if you see the whites of their eyes, as when their head is pointed one direction, but the eyes are looking sideways.
Dogs who are in uncomfortable situations may exhibit one or many of these signs in addition to the obvious tail tuck. Knowledgeable dog owners will recognize these as indicators that they should remove their dog from the current situation.
Cats also demonstrate particular behaviors when they are in an uncomfortable situation. Keep an eye on your cat’s tail and ears and you may be able to figure out when they are anxious.
You may see a cat vigorously swishing her tail back and forth, or the tail might be straight up and bushy like a bottle brush. Her ears may be flat against her head or sticking out sideways. These subtle signs can mean your kitty is not happy.
The eyes also are a good indicator that your cat is worried. If the pupils are big and the eyes are all black, your kitty could be trying to tell you something is wrong.
Pets can often be in situations that are uncomfortable without their owners ever knowing why. New people or other animals, unfamiliar noises and strange smells can all trigger your pet to be distressed. Things as innocuous as an overhead ceiling fan to a person can be scary to a cat. An oversized stuffed bear in front of a Nashville shop may cause your dog to be concerned.
Watching your pet for signs of stress will help you to keep your pet calm, cool and collected. Take some time and really watch your pet. Before long, with good observations, you will soon see your pet talking to you!
— Brown County Humane Society
