Do Dogs Suffer From Vertigo?
Although dogs can generally appear bold and seem to fear nothing, there are many dogs that suffer from vertigo.
Cats are best known for being daring climbers and for climbing high places, but dogs also like to jump and climb, only sometimes they do it without thinking and then don’t know how to get off.
Today we will talk about dogs that suffer from vertigo.
Why Do Some Dogs Get Dizzy?
This is a mystery: it is as if we wonder why some people are afraid of spiders, high water or whatever.
Everything will depend on the dog, even if there are factors that may have influenced it. Eg:
- Abuse. If you adopted your dog when he was already an adult, he may have a history of abuse, such as being thrown from a high point. This would explain his phobia of heights. In these cases, it is advisable to have your dog examined by an ethologist or a dog psychologist.
- Hyper-protection. Conversely, if you adopted him when he was still a puppy, your protective instincts may have gone beyond what is necessary. Often, the willingness to avoid situations that you think may endanger your dog’s life can result in a limitation for him, such as the fear of climbing stairs. If the animal is not used to being in high places, it is normal for him to be afraid of them, because for him they represent the unknown.
- Trauma. Various types of trauma could cause fear of heights. Maybe your pet has had a fight with another dog in the past and they fell, or just fell off the bed or sofa and got injured. Sometimes these may be situations that the owner is not aware of.
How is fear recognized?
No matter what kind of fear your pet has, the symptoms for identifying it are always the same. These are the most common:
- Try to escape. When an animal is afraid of something and doesn’t feel comfortable, the most logical thing is that it wants to leave. The problem is that if he is afraid of heights and is in a high position, escaping could be difficult for him.
- He lies down forcefully on the ground. Lying on the floor with force, pulling the ears back, is a way to somatize his stress in the face of the situation he is experiencing.
- Urine or defecate. This is a common reaction, as the body before fear is paralyzed and loses the sphincter center.
- Try to hide. When a dog tries to hide, he is afraid. Maybe he’s doing it in a corner where he feels safe or somewhere covered, however he’s trying to protect himself from something.
- Tremors. Shaking is one of the most common symptoms of fear.
- Aggression. Even if you want to help him get off where he is, your pet may see it as an assault and try to bite you, be careful!
- Dilated pupils. The pressure of the face changes when we are afraid. It happens to people and also to animals. The pupils will be a warning sign in your dog. Usually dilated pupils are accompanied by the ears back and the tail between the legs.
Can you help a dog suffering from vertigo?
Fears are often linked to psychological problems, so the best option to treat them will always be to see a dog psychologist. However, there are some things you can do to not encourage these fears. Eg:
- Don’t caress it. Our tendency when we see that our pet is having a bad time may be to pet or cuddle him, but this will only make him believe that what he feels is normal, and it won’t help at all.
- Don’t blame him. Your dog’s feelings in the moment of fear are beyond control and the reprimand does not make sense, plus you will push him away from you and this will not help him feel better.
- Don’t try to force him out. If he is in an elevated position, do not force him down. Wait for him to calm down a bit and offer your help: he will come to you when he feels ready.
- Don’t make him face his fears. Many believe that the best way to get rid of fears is to face them, but this system doesn’t work with pets. Better not to let your dog stay in high places if you know he is afraid, as it could feed trauma.
Remember all these tips and don’t forget that if your dog suffers from vertigo it is best to seek the advice of a psychologist.
