A woman hoping to ease her anxiety by getting a dog quickly realized that the pet she chose had its own stress to deal with.
In a viral TikTok, the creator shared that she got a dog to help with her anxiety, but when the camera panned down, it revealed a tiny, visibly distressed pup—panting and shaking uncontrollably. Since the video was posted, it has received more than 60,000 likes and more than 2,000 comments from empathizing viewers.
“The dog I got for my anxiety,” the creator captioned the video, which showed her Toy Chihuahua-Bichon Frise mix. “I think she needs Lexapro, too.”
A dog looks out of the window waiting for its owner.
AnaSha/Getty Images
Many TikTok users related to the woman’s predicament, sharing their own experiences of owning anxious dogs that seemed to reflect their own struggles.
“Same with mine,” one person wrote. “She was shaking yesterday because she had the hiccups and thought death was near. I suffer with general anxiety disorder, so I panicked too.”
Another shared: “Do not take this wrong, I have anxiety bad, but I really believe I have given it to my dog and if I leave, he’s on the back of the couch glaring out the window for hours. Or maybe he’s a stalker.”
Matching energies
Some viewers suggested that anxious owners and anxious dogs might naturally gravitate toward each other.
“My dog literally has every ailment I do,” one user explained. “Hip issues, dairy sensitivity, extreme anxiety and needs to see me at all times. Our dogs match us, and you have a match with that one.”
“She’s just trying to distract you so that you will keep your mind off your own anxiety,” another person offered.
Research suggests that dogs don’t just sense their owners’ emotions in the moment—they may actually synchronize with their stress levels over time.
A 2019 study published in Scientific Reports investigated 58 dog-human pairs and found a strong correlation between the long-term stress levels of dogs and their owners, as measured through hair cortisol concentrations.
While the dogs’ own personalities had little impact on their stress levels, certain human traits—like neuroticism, conscientiousness and openness—were significant factors in how much stress the dog exhibited.
What causes anxiety in dogs?
Anxiety in dogs can stem from various factors, but the most prominent are fear, separation and aging, according to the American Kennel Club. In this case, the owner noted that her home environment—specifically, her loud and high-energy 4-year-old child—was likely a major contributor to her dog’s anxiety.
For pet owners dealing with anxious dogs, the website recommended speaking to the veterinarian as a first port-of-call, so that the dog’s anxiety can be understood individually. The vet can help pet owners find out the possible triggers of the anxiety and recommend solutions, like medication, desensitization training or calming supplements.
While the TikTok creator’s situation may not have gone as planned, at least she and her dog now have one thing in common—a deep understanding of anxiety.
Newsweek reached out to @anzleigh.nicole for comment via TikTok.
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