Anxiety overload: Number of stressed dogs on the rise

NEW data has revealed a surge in cases of dogs suffering from stress, suggesting 2025 was the most anxious year for canines.

Research from pet insurer Waggel and digital vet platform Joii found 1,951 cases of anxious dogs in 2023 compared with 3,722 last year.

Experts believe so-called ‘emotional contagion’ may be behind the rise. This occurs when dogs pick up on and mirror the rising levels of stress and anxiety in their owners.

Dogs are becoming increasingly anxious

The findings were made after clinical data was shared through Waggel’s partnership with Joii Pet Care, which provides digital triage and vet consultations to its policyholders.

Michaela Cragg, a senior veterinary officer, said: “The top behaviour problems most commonly linked to stress and anxiety are over grooming, inappropriate toileting, separation anxiety, and owner-directed aggression.

“These issues usually stem from emotional distress rather than disobedience, and we’ve observed a clear increase in their frequency over the past few years.” 

Junior Hudson, a behaviourist for Waggel, said such behaviours are potentially being triggered by dogs’ innate need to connect with and please their owners.

He added: “Dogs are emotional mirrors, and so they can experience something called ‘emotional contagion’.

Help is at hand to put a smile back of the faces of dogs

“They watch us, smell us, and sense our moods, we also smell different to our dogs when our emotions shift. 

“If an owner is anxious, their dog will pick up on that. They don’t understand why we’re stressed, they just learn that the world isn’t safe.”

Michaela Cragg said that while, for many owners, dogs are a part of the family, blurring that line too far and failing to see your pet as a dog might be impacting their ability to regulate their stress.

She said: “Treating pets as if they are human can unintentionally create confusion or stress.

“Constant attention, lack of clear boundaries, or interpreting canine behaviour through a human lens can reinforce dependency or anxiety. 

“Dogs in particular thrive on structure, routine, and calm leadership, when these are replaced by human-like parenting styles, they may become uncertain about their role within the household, which can manifest as behavioural problems.”

Below are some positive steps from Junior Hudson that owners can take to reduce anxiety in their dogs:

1. Before interacting with your dog, take steps to alleviate the intensity of your anxiety through breathing exercises, listening to music, or mindfulness

2. Do enjoyable, stress-relieving activities together - walks in nature can be hugely beneficial for you and your dog

3. Be aware of how noise pollution can have an impact on mental health  - too much time in busy, loud environments is not natural for you or your dog so limit your time in stressful environments if possible

4. Scent-based calming aids may be helpful for dogs and humans. Diffusing essential oils like lavender and chamomile (made pet-safe by diluting, using intermittently, and in well-ventilated spaces) can be beneficial

5. If your dog struggles with anxiety, just like with humans, it’s typically multifactorial. It’s essential to understand what factors may be contributing - speak to a behaviour professional or your vet.

For more information on Waggel, visit waggel.co.uk