Last updated: June 2026 | Reading time: 9 minutes | Easy reading level
Your pet cannot tell you when they feel stressed. But they show you — if you know what to look for.
Stress in pets is common. The PDSA found that 76% of UK pet owners saw their pet show signs of stress in the past year. Fireworks, new people, changes at home, and even the weather can trigger it.
This guide shows you the signs of stress in dogs and cats. It also gives you simple, proven ways to help your pet feel safe again.
Why Pets Get Stressed
Pets feel stress for the same reason you do. Their world changes. They feel unsafe. They do not know what will happen next.
Common triggers in UK homes:
Table
| Trigger | Why It Stresses Pets | How Often It Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Fireworks | Loud, unpredictable, no escape | November (Bonfire Night), New Year, weddings |
| Thunderstorms | Loud noise, static electricity, pressure changes | Spring and summer, 10-15 days per year |
| New people or pets | Invades their space, changes smells | Visitors, new baby, new dog or cat |
| Moving house | New smells, new layout, no safe spots | Average UK family moves every 7 years |
| Loud noises | Traffic, building work, shouting | Daily in busy areas |
| Being left alone | Separation anxiety, boredom | Daily for working owners |
| Vet visits | Strange smells, handling, pain memory | 1-2 times per year |
| Changes in routine | Feeding time, walk time, owner schedule | Often |
Cats and dogs react differently. Dogs often show stress outwardly. Cats hide it. You need to watch both species carefully.
Signs Your Dog Is Stressed
Dogs show stress through their body, behavior, and health.
Body signs:
Table
| Sign | What It Looks Like | How Serious |
|---|---|---|
| Panting | Heavy breathing when not hot or tired | Mild to moderate |
| Shaking or trembling | Whole body shakes, especially legs | Moderate to severe |
| Drooling | Excessive saliva, wet mouth | Mild |
| Yawning | Repeated yawning when not tired | Mild stress signal |
| Lip licking | Tongue flicks over nose or lips | Mild stress signal |
| Whale eye | White of eye shows, looks sideways | Moderate |
| Tucked tail | Tail between legs, low or tucked | Moderate to severe |
| Ears back | Ears flat against head | Moderate |
| Hunched posture | Body low, head down, muscles tense | Moderate to severe |
Behavior signs:
Table
| Sign | What It Looks Like | How Serious |
|---|---|---|
| Hiding | Under bed, behind sofa, in crate | Moderate |
| Pacing | Walks same path, cannot settle | Moderate |
| Excessive barking | Barks at nothing, cannot stop | Moderate |
| Destructive behavior | Chews furniture, digs, scratches doors | Moderate to severe |
| Loss of appetite | Refuses food, eats less than half | Moderate to severe |
| Accidents in house | Toilet trained dog pees or poops inside | Moderate |
| Clinginess | Follows you everywhere, cannot be alone | Moderate |
| Aggression | Growls, snaps, or bites when stressed | Severe |
Health signs:
-
Diarrhea or vomiting
-
Excessive shedding
-
Skin problems (licking, scratching)
-
Weight loss
-
Frequent infections
When to see a vet: If stress signs last more than 2 weeks, or if your dog shows aggression, see your vet. Stress can mask medical problems.
Signs Your Cat Is Stressed
Cats hide stress well. They are prey animals in the wild. Showing weakness is dangerous. You must watch closely.
Body signs:
Table
| Sign | What It Looks Like | How Serious |
|---|---|---|
| Dilated pupils | Eyes wide, black pupils take over | Moderate |
| Flat ears | Ears pressed back against head | Moderate to severe |
| Twitching tail | Tail flicks or thumps fast | Mild to moderate |
| Tense body | Crouched, ready to run | Moderate |
| Excessive grooming | Licks same spot until fur is gone | Moderate to severe |
| Hiding | Stays under bed, in wardrobe, out of sight | Moderate |
| Not grooming | Coat looks dull, matted, or dirty | Moderate to severe |
Behavior signs:
Table
| Sign | What It Looks Like | How Serious |
|---|---|---|
| Avoiding litter box | Pees or poops outside the box | Moderate to severe |
| Spraying | Marks walls, furniture with urine | Moderate |
| Scratching furniture | More than usual, destructive | Mild to moderate |
| Overeating or undereating | Sudden change in appetite | Moderate |
| Less play | Ignores toys, sleeps more | Mild to moderate |
| Aggression | Hisses, scratches, bites when handled | Moderate to severe |
| Vocalizing | Meows more, or stops meowing entirely | Moderate |
Health signs:
-
Urinary problems (common in stressed male cats)
-
Diarrhea or constipation
-
Weight loss
-
Skin problems from over-grooming
-
Frequent infections
When to see a vet: Cats hide pain and illness. If you see any of these signs, see a vet. Stress and illness look the same in cats.
Immediate Calming Techniques (Use These Now)
When your pet is stressed right now — fireworks, thunder, visitors — use these techniques.
For dogs:
Table
| Technique | How to Do It | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Safe space | Lead to a quiet room, close curtains, play soft music | Fireworks, thunder, visitors |
| Thunder shirt | Wraps body snugly, like swaddling a baby | Noise, travel, separation |
| Distraction | Treat puzzle, chew toy, training game | Mild stress, boredom |
| Calm voice | Speak low and slow, no high-pitched excitement | Any stress moment |
| Physical contact | Gentle stroking, especially chest and sides | Mild to moderate stress |
| Avoid forcing | Never drag them out of hiding | Any stress moment |
For cats:
Table
| Technique | How to Do It | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| High hiding spot | Cat tree, shelf, top of wardrobe — they feel safer high up | Any stress |
| Covered bed | Igloo-style bed, box with blanket, enclosed space | Noise, visitors |
| Feliway diffuser | Plug-in diffuser releases calming pheromone | Continuous use, moving house |
| Quiet room | One room with litter, food, water, bed — away from noise | Fireworks, building work |
| Avoid eye contact | Look away, blink slowly — staring is threatening | Any stress |
| Let them come to you | Sit nearby, ignore them — they approach when ready | Any stress |
What NOT to do:
-
Do not punish stress behavior (peeing, scratching, barking) — this makes it worse
-
Do not force them to face their fear — they need to feel safe first
-
Do not shout or show frustration — your stress makes their stress worse
-
Do not give too much attention — calm presence is better than fussing
Long-Term Solutions: Build a Calm Home
These changes help your pet feel safe every day.
Create a safe space:
Table
| Element | For Dogs | For Cats |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Quiet corner, away from front door | High shelf, top of wardrobe, or covered bed |
| Bedding | Their own bed, your old shirt for smell | Soft blanket, enclosed igloo style |
| Sound | Soft music or TV, white noise machine | Quiet, or same soft music daily |
| Access | Always open, never locked away | Always accessible, even when visitors come |
| Food and water | Nearby but not in the safe space | Nearby, separate from litter box |
Keep a routine:
Table
| Activity | Dog Routine | Cat Routine |
|---|---|---|
| Feeding | Same time, same place, twice daily | Same time, same place, 2-3 times daily |
| Walks | Same time and route daily | N/A |
| Play | 15-20 minutes daily | 10-15 minutes daily |
| Sleep | Same bedtime, same spot | Same sleeping spots, do not move them |
| Alone time | Gradual training if anxious | Leave them alone, they are independent |
Reduce noise and chaos:
-
Close curtains during fireworks season
-
Use white noise machine or radio for background sound
-
Keep visitors to one room initially
-
Introduce new pets slowly (weeks, not days)
-
Do not shout or play loud music
Exercise and play:
Table
| Pet Type | Daily Exercise | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Dogs | 30-60 minutes walking, running, or play | Burns energy, reduces anxiety |
| Cats | 10-15 minutes play with wand toy or laser | Burns energy, satisfies hunting instinct |
A tired pet is a calm pet. But do not over-exercise. Too much activity when already stressed can increase anxiety.
Special Situations: What to Do
Fireworks (Bonfire Night, New Year):
Table
| Before | During | After |
|---|---|---|
| Walk dog early, before dark | Keep pets indoors, curtains closed | Check garden for debris |
| Feed cat early, lock cat flap | Turn on TV or radio for background noise | Give extra attention and calm |
| Set up safe space with bedding | Stay calm yourself — pets read your mood | Return to normal routine |
| Buy thunder shirt or calming treats | Do not take dog to fireworks display | If signs persist 2+ days, see vet |
Moving house:
Table
| Before | During | After |
|---|---|---|
| Pack gradually, keep pet’s area last | Transport in secure carrier or crate | Set up one room first with familiar items |
| Keep routine normal | Talk calmly during travel | Let them explore slowly |
| Use Feliway or Adaptil 2 weeks before | Do not let cat out for 2-4 weeks | Keep routine strict for 2 weeks |
New baby or pet:
Table
| Before | During | After |
|---|---|---|
| Introduce smells (baby blanket, new pet bed) | Supervise all interactions | Give existing pet extra attention |
| Change routine gradually | Let pet approach on their own | Never force interaction |
| Set up safe space for existing pet | Keep existing pet’s space sacred | Maintain separate feeding areas |
Being left alone (separation anxiety):
Table
| Mild Anxiety | Moderate Anxiety | Severe Anxiety |
|---|---|---|
| Leave for 5 minutes, return calmly | Short absences, gradually increase | See vet or behaviorist |
| Give treat when leaving | Use camera to check behavior | Medication may help |
| Do not make fuss on return | Leave worn shirt for smell | Professional training needed |
| Build up to 30 minutes | Puzzle toys for distraction | Never punish destruction |
Products That Help (UK Available)
Table
| Product | What It Does | Price | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feliway diffuser | Calming pheromone for cats | £20-25 | Pets at Home, Amazon, vet |
| Adaptil diffuser | Calming pheromone for dogs | £20-25 | Pets at Home, Amazon, vet |
| Thunder shirt | Gentle pressure calms dogs | £30-40 | Pets at Home, Amazon |
| Zylkene capsules | Natural calming supplement | £15-20 | Vet, online pet pharmacies |
| Calming treats | Herbal calming (valerian, chamomile) | £5-10 | Pets at Home, supermarkets |
| White noise machine | Masks sudden noises | £20-45 | Amazon, Argos |
| Puzzle feeder | Mental distraction, slow feeding | £8-15 | Pets at Home, Amazon |
Important: Pheromone diffusers (Feliway, Adaptil) take 2-3 weeks to work. Plug them in before you need them. For fireworks season, start in October.
Always talk to your vet before giving supplements or medication. Some interact with other treatments.
When to See a Vet or Behaviorist
Some stress needs professional help.
See your vet if:
-
Stress signs last more than 2 weeks
-
Your pet stops eating or drinking
-
There is aggression toward people or other pets
-
There are signs of pain (limping, crying, not moving)
-
There are toilet problems (especially in male cats — can be life-threatening)
See a behaviorist if:
-
Your vet rules out medical problems
-
Stress is severe or getting worse
-
You have tried the techniques above for 4+ weeks
-
There is aggression or destruction
How to find a behaviorist:
-
APBC (Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors): apbc.org.uk
-
ABTC (Animal Behaviour and Training Council): abtcouncil.org.uk
-
Ask your vet for a referral
-
Cost: £50-150 per session, depending on location and severity
Pet insurance: Some policies cover behavioral treatment. Check your policy. The PDSA offers free vet care for eligible owners.
Quick Checklist: Is My Pet Stressed?
Dog checklist:
-
[ ] Panting when not hot or tired
-
[ ] Hiding or pacing
-
[ ] Loss of appetite
-
[ ] Toilet accidents in house
-
[ ] Excessive barking or whining
-
[ ] Destructive behavior
-
[ ] Aggression or fear
Cat checklist:
-
[ ] Hiding more than usual
-
[ ] Not using litter box
-
[ ] Over-grooming or not grooming
-
[ ] Dilated pupils or flat ears
-
[ ] Loss of appetite
-
[ ] Aggression when handled
-
[ ] Spraying or scratching more
If you checked 2 or more: Your pet is likely stressed. Use the techniques above. If signs persist 2+ weeks, see your vet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my pet is stressed or just tired?
Tired pets sleep and recover. Stressed pets cannot settle. They pace, pant, or hide. Tiredness passes with rest. Stress does not.
Can pets get stressed from my stress?
Yes. Pets read your body language, tone, and smell. If you are anxious, they feel it. Stay calm around your pet. Your calm helps them calm.
Do calming treats really work?
Some do, for mild stress. Look for ingredients like valerian, chamomile, or L-tryptophan. They are not strong enough for severe stress or fireworks. For severe cases, talk to your vet about prescription options.
How long does it take for a pet to calm down after a stressful event?
Mild stress: hours to a day. Moderate stress: 2-3 days. Severe stress: 1-2 weeks. Give them time, routine, and safety. Do not rush them.
Should I get a second pet to keep my first pet company?
Not always. Some pets prefer being alone. Adding a second pet can cause more stress. Only do this if your pet is social and you have time to introduce them slowly.
What about CBD oil for pets?
Do not use without vet guidance. CBD is unregulated for pets in the UK. Quality varies. Some products contain THC, which is toxic to pets. Always ask your vet first.
References
About This Guide
This article was written using PDSA data, veterinary guidance, and animal behavior research. It was last checked in June 2026. For pet health concerns, contact your vet. For behavioral issues, contact a certified behaviorist.