How Petting Can Help Shelter Dogs Cope with Stress

Shelters provide a sanctuary for countless surrendered and stray dogs, offering them safety and care as they wait for a permanent home. Despite the invaluable services shelters provide, the environment can be very stressful for dogs. Even in the most organized shelters, there’s still constant noise, confinement, unfamiliar smells, and limited social contact. All can contribute to an overwhelming experience for their canine residents. 

Finding ways to reduce shelter dogs’ stress is essential, and one promising approach is the simple, yet powerful, act of petting. We’ll explain why it helps, but first, let’s discuss why reducing stress in shelter dogs is vital.  

Why is it important to reduce shelter stress?

Reducing stress in shelter dogs is critical for a few key reasons: 

Impact on the dog’s health 

Chronic stress can severely impact a dog’s physical health. Prolonged exposure to stressful conditions can cause, contribute to, or worsen several health issues, including: 

• A weakened immune system

• Colitis 

• Allergies

• Weight loss

• Skin issues 

• Cardiovascular issues 

By reducing stress, shelters can help maintain the physical health of the dogs. This makes them more resilient and adoptable. 

Mental and emotional well-being

Stress can lead to anxiety and depression in dogs. Creating a less stressful environment helps prevent mental and emotional decline.

Behavior benefits

“Stress poses a deadly threat to shelter dogs,” says Kristen Hassen, principal consultant at Outcomes for Pets Consulting. “Most dogs in shelters are confined to kennels 23 hours or more each day, and this level of isolation leads to stress-related behaviors like barking, jumping, and pulling, which makes it harder for the dogs to get adopted.” 

In some cases, normally friendly dogs can even start exhibiting aggression. These behaviors not only hinder their chances of adoption but also put them at risk for euthanasia. 

To top it off, behavioral issues can make the dogs more difficult for the shelter staff to manage. By reducing stress, shelters can improve the behavior of dogs, making them calmer, more sociable, and ultimately more adoptable. 

Signs of stress in dogs 

When shelter dogs (or dogs in any situation) are stressed, you’ll notice some or all of these signs:

• Excessive panting 

• Excessive drooling 

• Shedding 

• Tucked tail 

• Trembling 

• Yawning 

• Licking lips 

• Pacing or restlessness

• Excessive whining or barking 

• Hiding or cowering 

• Aggression 

• Loss of appetite 

• Destructive behavior 

• Lethargy 

• Depression

• Hypervigilance 

• Changes in grooming 

The benefits of petting shelter dogs

“Petting shelter dogs should be prioritized as part of a holistic approach of protecting the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of sheltered dogs,” says Hassen. Bonus: Petting dogs has benefits for human petters, too. Let’s explore these benefits in detail.

Effects of petting on a dog’s health

Petting a dog can offer them the following benefits: 

• Reduces stress: “Contact with people is one of the most effective ways to reduce anxiety and stress in shelter dogs,” says Hassen. Petting, in particular, helps lower levels of cortisol, the hormone associated with stress. This reduction in cortisol can help alleviate anxiety and create a sense of calm in dogs. 

• Increases oxytocin levels: Petting stimulates the release of oxytocin, often called the “love hormone.” Oxytocin promotes feelings of happiness, bonding, and well-being.

• Reduces blood pressure: By reducing stress levels, regular petting sessions may lower a dog’s blood pressure, which supports a healthier heart. 

One big caveat: These benefits only apply to dogs who enjoy being pet. Not all dogs are comfortable with physical touch, especially when they’re scared. So it’s crucial to respect their individual preferences. To ensure petting is beneficial, pay close attention to a dog’s body language. Signs that a dog enjoys being pet include a relaxed posture, wagging tail, and leaning into the touch. Conversely, signs of discomfort include a tucked tail, stiff body, growling, lip licking, or trying to move away.

Effects of petting on human health

Interestingly, the benefits of petting dogs extend to the humans doing the petting as well. Studies show that petting a dog for just a few minutes can:

• Calm your nervous system

• Lower cortisol

• Increase oxytocin

• Reduce blood pressure 

• Increase focus 

Effects of petting on adoptability

• Improves dog behavior: Dogs who are calm, well-behaved, and happy are more appealing to potential adopters. Regular petting sessions help create these positive behaviors, increasing a dog’s chances of finding a permanent home. 

• Builds trust and sociability: Petting helps dogs build trust in humans, making them more approachable and sociable. This is especially important for dogs who may have experienced neglect or trauma, because it helps open them to forming new relationships.

• Enhances adaptability: Reducing stress by petting can improve a dog’s ability to adapt to new environments and experiences. Dogs who are calmer and less anxious are typically better at handling the transition from a shelter to a new home. 

How can you help dogs in shelters?

Shelter dogs face numerous challenges, but there are many ways you can make a significant difference in their lives. 

Volunteer to pet shelter dogs

If you’ve been wondering, “Can I go to an animal shelter to pet dogs?” the answer is yes. In fact, volunteering to spend time with shelter dogs is one of the simplest, most impactful ways to help them. Many shelters welcome volunteers who can pet the dogs, walk them, play with them, and provide much-needed social interaction.

Consider adopting a dog

While enriching the lives of shelter dogs through petting, walks, and play is vital, Hassen reminds us that those tactics will only go so far in reducing stress. The best remedy for kennel stress, she says, is getting the dogs out of the shelter environment and into loving homes.

If you’re ready, you could make a difference by adopting a shelter dog. Here are some reasons to consider adoption:

• Save a life: Many shelter dogs face euthanasia due to limited space and resources. By adopting, you give a dog a second chance. 

• Receive unconditional love: Shelter dogs make great pets. They’re often incredibly loyal and loving, forming deep bonds with their human families. 

• Support ethical practices: Adopting from a shelter combats issues associated with puppy mills and irresponsible breeding.

However, before adopting a dog, you must take an honest inventory of your life to ensure you have enough time, money, living space, and patience to welcome a dog into your home and care for them for several years to come. Also, be mindful that it can take time for a dog to settle into a new home, but there are steps you can take to help a shelter dog adjust.

Consider fostering a dog 

If you’re not ready for the long-term commitment of adoption, fostering a dog can be an impactful way to help. Fostering a dog entails temporarily caring for a shelter dog in your home while they wait for a permanent home. Here’s how, by fostering, you can make a difference:

• Reduce shelter overcrowding: By taking a dog into your home temporarily, you help reduce the number of animals in the shelter, making space for more dogs in need.

• Provide individualized care: Fostering allows dogs to receive one-on-one attention and care, helping them develop good habits and become more adoptable. 

• Learn about the dog: As a foster, you can provide valuable insights into the dog’s behavior, preferences, and needs, which can help match them with the perfect person or family. 

• Test the waters: Fostering is a great way to see if you’re ready for the responsibilities of caring for a dog without making a permanent commitment. It can be a step towards adoption if you find the right fit. 

Donate to animal shelters and rescues

If you want to help in a more hands-off way, consider donating money, dog food, toys, bedding, and other pet supplies to shelters. Donations are crucial for the operation of shelters and rescues, as they operate on a nonprofit model.  

What else can shelters do to enrich the lives of dogs?

Many shelters struggle with insufficient resources, so finding methods to reduce stress that are effective, yet not too time-consuming and costly, is key. This is why petting is such a good option. Petting a dog for a minute or two several times a day is quick and easy yet has a big impact on the pups.  

However, petting is just one component of a holistic approach to reducing stress in shelter dogs. According to Hassen, shelters can further enhance the well-being of their dogs by implementing a variety of strategies, including:

• Interactive toys 

• Training sessions

• Walks 

• Outdoor time

• Playgroups 

• Selective co-housing 

• Day trip foster outings 

• Foster overnights 

• Comfort items, such as blankets, beds, and towels 

• Positive reinforcement by rewarding desirable behavior with treats  

Are you ready to adopt a shelter dog? Use Adopt a Pet’s search feature to find your new family member today. 

References 

Animal Visitation Program (AVP) Reduces Cortisol Levels of University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Chemistry Between People and Dogs Is Real (It’s Science) 

Colitis in Dogs 

Effects of Affiliative Human-Animal Interaction on Dog Salivary and Plasma Oxytocin and Vasopressin

Human Interaction and Cortisol: Can Human Contact Reduce Stress for Shelter Dogs?

Kennel Stress Is a Deadly Threat to Shelter Dogs. The Right Enrichment Can Help Save Them.

Psychophysiological Mechanisms Underlying the Potential Health Benefits of Human-Dog Interactions: A Systematic Literature Review

Signs Your Dog Is Stressed and How to Relieve It

The Effects of Fear and Anxiety on Health and Lifespan in Pet Dogs