Fear and anxiety disorders are among the most common welfare problems in companion dogs. Evidence-based diagnosis and multimodal treatment including behaviour modification, environmental management and medication substantially improve quality of life.
Chronic fear and anxiety represent one of the highest-impact welfare problems in companion dogs. Dogs experiencing frequent anxiety episodes have chronically elevated cortisol, show immune dysfunction, sleep disruption and reduced capacity for positive experiences. Crucially, anxiety is frequently unrecognised or misinterpreted by owners - trembling, hiding, panting and lip-licking during fireworks are often minimised as 'just being scared' rather than recognised as significant suffering. Treatment requires commitment: behaviour modification without medication for significant anxiety is often inadequate; medication without behaviour modification treats symptoms not causes. Multimodal treatment delivers the best outcomes.