Dogs, just like people, can give off clear signs of stress when they’re uncomfortable. Sometimes these stress signals are related to changes in their environment — strangers in the house or a new home.

Sometimes your dog’s unhappiness may even be the sign of some health issues. In order to be sure that dog’s nutrition is well balanced, experienced pet owners prefer supplements such as  LivelyPaws natural dog supplements which provide their little friends with all essential microelements for maintaining an active life. It is not a secret that great physical health is a guarantee of happiness.

But other times that can be indicative of more serious conditions. If you’re wondering, ‘Is my dog happy?’ then you came to the right place.

In this article, we’ll go over some of the popular signs that your furry friend is content and healthy. And, if they’re not, then we’ll go over some of the ways you can help them. Let’s get started!

Is My Dog Happy? Seven Signs They’re in a Good Mood

Every dog is different. But usually, there are some universal signs that your pet is relaxed and in a good mood. The key is discovering the specific happy behavior that your animal exhibits so you know what to look for in the future. Here are some signs that your pup feels good.

1. They Aren’t Being Destructive

If your dog is destroying furniture or ripping through toys, then this may be a sign that they’re stressed — a relaxed dog typically won’t behave this way. The usual cause of destructive behavior is separation anxiety.

If you find your dog destroys things when you’re not home, then they may suffer from this condition.

Unfortunately, ignoring the problem will only exasperate the anxiety. The best solution is to find a trainer that can help your animal deal with the separation.

2. Relaxed Eyes

We all know that look our dogs get when they’re content — they blink slowly and maintain a soft, calm gaze at you or their surroundings. These relaxed eyes are a sign that your dog is comfortable and happy.

Alert eyes or hard gazes might be a sign that something is upsetting your animal. If you see the whites of their eyes, then remove your dog from the situation if they can — this indicates intense fear.

3. They’re Active

A healthy, happy dog will want to play or go for a walk whenever you offer. If you find that your pet doesn’t engage with you when you play and spend most of their time lying down, then this is a sign that something is wrong.

We recommend taking your animal to the veterinarian as this may be a sign that they feel sick or are in pain.

4. Loose and Floppy Ears

A dog’s ears are a great way to read their mood. Depending on the dog you have one ear that may be raised, while the other remains loose and floppy. Or both ears may be lowered in a relaxed fashion.

Two raised ears are a sign of alertness, but you need to watch out if you see both of their ears pinned back. This animal body language is a classic sign of fear or anger at other animals or people.

5. Soft Tail Movement

It can be difficult to distinguish the two types of tail movements because they can look similar. A happy tail wag will look relaxed and usually involve the dog’s entire body. The tail will be loose and wag softly in a neutral position.

If you see your dog stiffly wagging their tail while the rest of their body remains still, then it may not mean they’re happy.

This type of animal body language usually indicates that they’re alert and assessing a new situation. A happy dog can have a raised tail, but if it goes up too high, then this can also be a sign that they’re agitated by something.

6. Lots of Movement and Happy Barks

Energetic, ecstatic dogs will move a lot when they see someone they like. Sometimes this will take the form of jumping or hopping, or the dog will dance around. You may also notice them giving off some happy barks.

What’s the difference between a happy bark and a bark? Happy barks are usually high pitched and friendly. Barks will sound much more deeper and aggressive.

7. They Embrace Physical Touch

When a dog is happy and comfortable it will likely want to be pet. There are a variety of ways you can tell this. The animal may lean in when you pet them, as opposed to jerking their head away.

A happy dog may also roll over and show you their bellow. However, make sure you check their face when they’re on their back.

A content dog will look relaxed and have its tongue out. How a stiff and motionless face may indicate that your dog is showing its belly out of submission and fear, instead of happiness.

What Should I Do If My Dog Is Stressed?

If you find that your dog isn’t exhibiting many happy symptoms, then they may be stressed out by their daily routine. The first thing you should do is identify the stressor if there is one.

For example, if your dog gets stressed when other people are in your house, then try removing him or her from their presence. We wouldn’t recommend comforting your dog too much, as this sometimes confirms their fears that something is wrong.

Instead, try issuing a routine command which makes the dog feel normal and at ease. The stress might also be related to health reasons. If your dog is suffering from arthritis, then the pain of the condition will make them anxious.

If your dog is getting older, then we recommend these dog joint supplements. Also, keep in mind that some stress may come from trauma related to previous owners. If your dog suffers high anxiety levels, then a veterinarian may recommend placing them on anti-anxiety medication.

How to Make Your Furry Friend Even Happier

We hope this article helped you answer the question ‘Is my dog happy?’. You can make your pet even happier by fulfilling all their physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. But how do this?

By doing all the things they love! Feeding them properly, giving them lots of attention, and playing/exercising them is a great place to start. So get out there and make your dog happier today.