1. Why is my dog or cat suddenly withdrawing?

One of the first signs of stress is avoidance. Your dog turns its head away, walks into another room or refuses to come closer. Your cat may hide more often, seek out high places or stay away for longer.

This behaviour is often misunderstood. A dog that keeps its distance is not being disobedient. A cat that hides is not simply ‘keeping to itself’. Often, your pet is trying to make it clear that the situation is too much for them.

Withdrawal is a particularly important sign in cats. Cats often show stress by becoming less visible. As a result, owners sometimes only notice the tension at a late stage.

2. How can I recognise stress through body language?

Dogs and cats communicate constantly through their bodies. Their posture, gaze, ears, tail and movement reveal a great deal about how they are feeling.

In dogs, subtle signs of stress can include: licking their lips, yawning without being tired, looking away, panting without exertion, trembling, stiffening or a low body posture. Whining, barking, excessive sniffing or a sudden urge to flee can also indicate stress.

In cats, stress is often visible in dilated pupils, flattened or flattened ears, a low posture, a tail held close to the body, freezing, hissing or suddenly running away.

An animal that sits still is therefore not always relaxed. Sometimes, becoming still is actually a sign that the tension is too high.

3. Has your pet’s appetite, sleep or rest patterns changed?

Stress affects not only behaviour but also daily routines. A dog or cat that is feeling stressed may eat less, sleep more restlessly or find it harder to relax.

In dogs, stress can manifest as restlessness, pacing, being easily startled, panting, drooling or gastrointestinal issues. In cats, changes are often more subtle: playing less, seeking less contact, sleeping differently or no longer lying in familiar places.

Pay particular attention to changes. You know your pet best. If your dog or cat suddenly eats, sleeps, plays or reacts differently, this is valuable information.

Important: behavioural changes can also have a medical cause. Pain, itching, stomach and intestinal problems or age-related issues can cause or exacerbate stress. In the event of sudden or persistent behavioural changes, a check-up with the vet is always a sensible first step.

4. What if my pet suddenly starts urinating or defecating in the house?

Incontinence is sometimes seen as a form of protest, but this is usually not the case. A dog or cat does not urinate next to the litter tray or in the house to ‘be difficult’. Sudden incontinence may be linked to stress, anxiety, pain or a medical condition.

In cats, changes in litter tray behaviour are an important sign of stress. Examples include urinating next to the litter tray, spraying or urinating small amounts more frequently. In dogs, accidents in the house can also be linked to tension, insecurity or anxiety.

Punishment does not help in this situation. It often increases stress and does not resolve the underlying cause. In cases of incontinence, it is important to first rule out any medical causes.

5. Why is my pet reacting more quickly or more strongly?

Stress can both intensify and dampen behaviour. Some animals become loud, restless or explosive. Others withdraw and become quieter.

A dog may bark more readily, growl, lunge whilst on the lead, snap or find it difficult to recover from stimuli. A cat may hiss, growl, swat, avoid being touched, groom excessively or hide for long periods.

Aggression is often a form of communication too. A dog that growls or a cat that hisses is setting a boundary. Punishing that signal can make your pet feel even more insecure. It makes more sense to investigate what is making the situation so difficult for your pet.

How can I tell if my pet is stressed?

You can recognise stress by looking at changes, context and recovery. Is your pet behaving differently than usual? Does this mainly happen in certain situations? And is your dog or cat able to relax again afterwards?

Ask yourself three questions:

    When do I notice the behaviour?
    What happened just before it?
    How long does it take for my pet to calm down again?

If signs of stress recur frequently, last longer or get worse, it is wise to seek help.

What can you do when you notice signs of stress?

The first step is to observe. Don’t correct, but understand. Notice when the tension arises and what your dog or cat needs to feel safer.

You can help your pet by providing more calm, predictability and freedom of choice. Provide safe places where your dog or cat won’t be disturbed. Don’t force contact when your pet seeks distance. Avoid repeated exposure to situations that are clearly too much for them.

If there are sudden or persistent signs of stress, it is wise to consult a vet first. This will rule out pain or other medical causes. Afterwards, a clinical animal behaviourist such as Evie Van Hove can help you understand the behaviour in the right context.

When should you seek professional help?

Professional guidance is advisable if your dog or cat is often tense, anxious or irritable. Help is also recommended in cases of aggression, lunging, prolonged hiding, soiling or tension between animals in the home.

A clinical animal behaviourist looks beyond visible behaviour. Health, living environment, routine, learning experiences and the relationship between pet and owner also play a role.

Conclusion: subtle signs deserve attention

Stress in dogs and cats often starts small. A glance that looks away. A lick across the nose. A cat that hides more often. A dog that finds it harder to settle down after a walk.

By recognising these silent signals early on, you can help your pet before the tension escalates. Not by punishing them, but by understanding what your dog or cat needs for greater peace of mind, security and trust.

Do you notice that your dog or cat is often tense, anxious or irritable? Evie Van Hove helps you to better understand your pet’s behaviour and work together to find an approach based on wellbeing, science and respect for your pet.

Hanne Hendrickx is an online marketer and copywriter at Thys Communicatie.

Sources

American Animal Hospital Association. (2015). 2015 AAHA canine and feline behavior management guidelines. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association.

American Animal Hospital Association. (2019, June 28). Common signs of anxiety/distress. AAHA.

International Cat Care. (2024, October 28). Over-grooming in cats.

International Cat Care. (2024, November 28). Stress in cats.

Merck Veterinary Manual. (2025). Behavior problems of dogs. Merck & Co., Inc.

Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. (n.d.). Understanding your dog’s behaviour. RSPCA.

Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. (n.d.). Understanding your dog’s body language. RSPCA.