How Does Your Dog's Body Respond to Stress?

As a dog owner, you've likely witnessed your furry friend react to stressful situations. Have you ever wondered what's actually happening inside your dog's body during these moments?

Understanding your dog's stress response is crucial for their well-being and can help you provide better care. Let’s take a look at the fascinating world of canine stress physiology, exploring both the immediate "fight-or-flight" reaction and the long-term hormonal changes that occur when dogs experience stress.

Dogs, like humans, have evolved complex biological systems to deal with stress. These systems can be broadly categorized into two main types: a rapid response mechanism for immediate threats, and a slower, more sustained response for ongoing stressors. By understanding these processes, you'll gain valuable insights into your dog's behavior and learn how to better support them during challenging times.

Whether your dog gets anxious during thunderstorms, becomes overly excited at the dog park, or shows signs of stress during vet visits, the same underlying biological mechanisms are at work. Let's explore how your dog's body responds to stress, from the initial surge of adrenaline to the gradual release of stress hormones like cortisol.

Let’s dive into the first system that gets fired up when your dog’s experiencing stress.

1. The rapid system, or in other words… the autonomic response: