by Diane Garrod

Created on: October 15, 2009   Last Updated: October 17, 2009

Stress is negative feedback received by a pet. For instance, when a dog is under stress the body goes into an altered state and this affects various physical functions within the body. Continued exposure to negative stress factors will ultimately result in negative affects to a pet's health. In fact, count on it.

In simplistic terms, "stress alters the normal state of the body's feedback controls systems", as stated in Martina Scholz and Clarissa von Reinhardt's book "Stress In Dogs".

What does stress look like in your pet? When a pet is under stress they are not focused, they may appear hyperactive, they might exhibit one or all of the four behaviors due to a chemical bath in the brain, such as flight, fight, fool around or freeze. They will be shy, timid or fearful and have trouble acclimating to their own environment or to the outside world. A dog who is stressed will exhibit many more behavioral challenges than a dog who is comfortable and secure. Stress will also cause immediate body tension and reactions in the form of lunging, over-barking, high-drive, and aggression.

Stress gets the adrenalin pumping causing a chemical bath in the brain. Too much bad stress can have a definite affect on heart, lungs, brain, neurological system, immune system and more.

A pet who is under constant stress and cannot calm down will have medical problems, possibly even neurological problems, bone tenseness, even become depressed or unable to cope with real life situations and may become aggressive, or even shy. A dog who cannot cope is a disaster waiting to happen.

Health problems caused by stress are allergies, blood pressure fluctuations, diarrhea, digestive discomfort, hair loss, immune system problems, kidney problems, over-eating and sleep deprivation.

Let's take a look at these challenges.

Allergies
Stress continuing over long periods of time weaken the immune system because of increased levels of cortisol taxing the pituitary gland. One of the side affects is allergic reactions to various environmental causes. The allergy's shelf-life may be longer and worse because the dog is under stress.

Blood Pressure Fluctuations
While dogs and most pets do not have heart problems like their humans, adrenalin release can cause differences in the body such as raised pulse rate and increased cardiovascular activity. Adrenalin impacts the pituitary gland. Working with dogs daily barraged by stress and stressful situations, it is common to see a dog suddenly lie down out of exhaustion

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