Anxiety disorders are among the most common and underdiagnosed welfare problems in companion dogs and cats, with effective treatments available when properly identified.
Anxiety in companion animals represents a major welfare burden that is often normalised or misattributed. An owner who says their dog is just "excitable" during fireworks, or their cat simply prefers to hide when guests arrive, may be describing anxiety disorders causing real suffering. Because anxiety often manifests as behaviour that owners find manageable rather than overtly distressing, it is underdiagnosed and undertreated. Validated anxiety assessment tools exist for both dogs and cats, and evidence-based treatment — combining behavioural modification, environmental management, and where appropriate pharmacological support — significantly improves welfare outcomes. The welfare case for prompt diagnosis and intervention is strong: anxiety is not a personality trait to be accommodated but a condition causing ongoing suffering that treatment can meaningfully address.