Generalised Anxiety in Dogs

Generalised anxiety in dogs describes a pattern in which a dog appears persistently uneasy, vigilant, or on edge across many different contexts, rather than in response to a specific trigger or situation. This differs from fear of particular things—a dog with generalised anxiety may seem unable to settle even when the environment appears calm and familiar. Owners often notice restlessness, difficulty relaxing at home, hypervigilance to sounds or movement, or a dog that seems to expect something worrying at any moment. Some dogs may follow their owner constantly, startle easily, or show physical signs such as panting, pacing, or tension in the body. The pattern tends to be ongoing rather than linked to a single event or change. This page explores what generalised anxiety can look like in daily life, what may be happening in the brain and body to sustain that state, how the pattern is recognised and distinguished from other possibilities, and the range of approaches—environmental, behavioural, and pharmacological—that exist to support dogs living with persistent anxiety.