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My dog is anxious, peeing, barking, soft stool. Health or behavior?

Updated on September 23, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered

Hi there, I'm becoming concerned over my big dog Dougie. He is a mixed breed rescue whom we got a 8 months old. I separated from my ex in October and moved from a farm to town. Dougie has always been a slightly skittish dog, but now he seems nervous/scared of a great deal, pees in the house, and is vocally aggressive at times, barks a great deal. He has soft stool at present and drinks a lot of water. He gets sensitive food. Is this purely a behavioiral issue or could it be health related?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Lotus Altholtz

Veterinarian, Board-Certified Lab Animal Medicine Specialist

Published on May 7, 2019

Peeing in the house, barking excessively, soft stool and drinking a lot could all be caused by stress/anxiety, for which non -prescription VetriScience daily Composure chews (available on chewy.com) may help, however a consult with your veterinarian re: Prozac (which takes 3 weeks to take effect) or an alternate anti-depressant /anti-anxiety medication or the help of a trainer may be needed. It would be safest however to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian for an exam, full screening bloodwork, a urinalysis and fecal exam to rule out parasites as the cause of the soft stool or renal disease/diabetes as the cause of the increased drinking. Your vet can also prescribe/send home metronidale which is an anti-inflammatory antibiotic to resolve the diarrhea +/- probiotics to help with the soft stool. Good luck!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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