Animals can be the best companions anyone could have, despite their lack of ability to communicate with their owner.
When people are stressed, they tend to lean on friends and family, and speak out about how they're feeling. However, pets cannot voice their emotions as eloquently as humans can, given their inability to speak.
There are signs of stress that dog owners can spot in their pets, which can in turn teach them more about their lovable four-legged friend.
A group of veterinarians have taken to social media to share some advice and tips on how to spot signs of stress within dogs.
On TikTok, the Upper Canada Animal Hospital have posted a video listing eight signs of stress in dogs, to a strong following of 319,000 people worldwide.
The video, captioned, "Signs of stress in dogs", has been positively received by their audience, garnering well over half a million likes and a whopping 5.7 million views.
So, what are the signs of stress in dogs? One vet, named Lori, noted that "excessive yawning" can be a sign of stress in the animal.
Vet Haley noted that "hardened eyes and whale eyes" can also be a sign of stress within a pup. Whale eyes are when you can see the whites of a dogs eye - and is a common sign of stress or anxiety within a pooch.
Another vet added that "excessively licking their lips" is a sign of anxiety, and a fourth vet noted that "pacing back and forth" could also be a sign that your dog is under stress.
A fifth vet said that "excessive shedding" and the loss of hair in a dog can be a warning that they are stressed.
Heavy panting, hiding from their owners and ears pinned back are all also signs of stress within a dog.
According to the Blue Cross website, there are plenty of at-home ways to de-stress your dog, such as exercise and staying nice and calm with them if they get aggressive.
They also noted that keeping the dog entertained can help, and if all else fails, animal behaviourists are on hand to help the most stressed of pups.
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