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Signs of Stress in Companion Animals
Failure to recognize stress signals can affect the long-term physical and mental well being of your four legged companion. Please note that some of the signs listed below may also be caused by health-related problems. Consultation with a veterinarian may be advised.
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- Panting and salivating
- Pacing
- Shedding
- Diarrhea/ bowel movements
- Inappropriate urination
- Licking the lips
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Dilated pupils
- Trembling
- Shaking (as if the animal were shaking off water)
- Yawning
- Whining, excessive vocalizing
- Nipping
- Growling when approached to be handled
- Sweaty paws(leaving sweaty paw prints on the floor)
- Increased or decreased activity
- Excessive scratching or licking repeatedly
- 'Spacing out' by turning away or avoiding eye contact
- Loss of appetite
- Hiding behind the handler
- Hiding under furniture or behind nursing station; refusing to interact with residents/staff or voyage beyond nursing station area
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- Restlessness, distraction, agitation
- Listlessness, unusual passivity
- Defensive vocalizations
- Excessive shedding
- Dilated pupils
- Biting
- Inappropriate urination/defecation
- Clinging
- Hiding and refusing to interact with humans or other animals
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Causes of Stress in Animals
- Unusual noises
- Unknown places
- Confusing or inconsistent training or handling
- People exhibiting strange or unusual behavior
- Unpredictable or rough handling
- Unusual odors
- Being crowded by people or other animals
- A resident or staff member being nervous or acting in a strange way from the animals perspective
- Extreme indoor and outdoor temperatures
- Housing or resting area in an inappropriate place, not able to get adequate rest as a result
- Requiring the animal to be up and active 24 hours a day to match the staff shifts of facility
- Too many animals (whether the same or a different species) within the same general area causing crowded territory issues (How many is too many? The animals will tell you!)
- Inadequate exercise or mental stimulation
- Inadequate diet for species
- Humans 'anthropomorphizing' animal behavior thus causing behavior problems
- Inappropriate or excessive feeding of animals
- Visiting animals from outside the facility coming into their territory (You need to be forewarned when visiting animals are coming in.)
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