More than ever before, pet parents are asking: Is my dog happy when I’m not around?
According to SATELLAI’s just-released “Pet Tech Trends” survey, pet mental health has officially become the #1 concern among U.S. dog owners in 2025, with 61% citing separation anxiety as their top worry. That’s higher than aggression, illness, or even disobedience.
If you’ve been noticing changes in your dog’s behavior — like pacing, barking, or clinginess — you’re not alone. And the good news? There are real, modern tools and heartfelt routines that can help.
TL;DR — Pet Mental Health in 2025
- 61% of dog owners say separation anxiety is their #1 behavioral concern—more than aggression or illness
- 52% would rather know how their dog *feels* than where they are or what they’re doing
- Satellai’s Smart Collar offers stress monitoring and emotional insight via AI-powered tech
- Comfort tools like calming vests, pheromones, enrichment toys, and sound therapy can make a big impact
Why Keep Reading?
Because your dog’s mental health matters more than ever—and the next few scrolls are packed with science, support, and real-life solutions you can try today.
Survey Insights
What 600+ pet parents said in 2025
At-Home Help
Simple tools to ease stress today
Smart Tech
Modern collars that track emotions
Why Pet Mental Health Is the Top Concern in 2025
If it feels like more dogs are dealing with anxiety lately… it’s because they are.
In SATELLAI’s 2025 “Pet Tech Trends” survey, a staggering 61% of pet parents listed separation anxiety as their biggest behavioral concern—far outpacing aggression, disobedience, or even physical illness.
That’s not just a stat. It’s a wake-up call.
72% of pet owners said they’re at least somewhat concerned about how their dog handles being left alone. This emotional weight shows just how deeply we’re recognizing that behavioral issues are often rooted in emotional distress.
And it’s not just a dog thing—this data spanned every age group, region, and type of pet surveyed.
Why it matters: More people are finally asking why their pets act out instead of jumping to punishment or training fixes. That shift—from reaction to compassion—is the beginning of a better mental health approach for dogs.
What Pet Owners Really Want: Emotional Insight, Not Just Info
Imagine if your dog could send you a text that says, “I’m lonely today.” That’s not just a fantasy—it’s what over half of pet owners are wishing for.
According to the SATELLAI survey, 52% of pet parents said the #1 thing they want to know is how their dog is feeling. Not where they are. Not how many steps they’ve taken. Not even if they’ve eaten.
Just… how they feel.
That need for emotional connection beats out all the typical “practical” metrics we’ve built smart pet devices around. And it’s not tied to age or region—it was consistent across the board.
This says something big: Today’s pet parents don’t just want obedient dogs—they want emotionally secure companions. We’re not tracking pets like packages anymore. We’re trying to understand their hearts.
The Separation Anxiety Spike: Why It’s So Common Now
If your dog starts pacing the second you grab your keys, you’re not alone. Separation anxiety has skyrocketed—and not just in rescue dogs or high-strung breeds.
So, what’s causing this?
A few likely culprits:
- Post-pandemic routines: Many dogs got used to 24/7 companionship. Now, being left alone feels abnormal.
- Hyper-awareness: Smart devices have made us more attuned to barking, pacing, and whining than ever before.
- Emotional mirroring: Dogs often reflect our own stress levels. And let’s be real—2025 hasn’t been calm.
Common signs of separation anxiety include:
- Shadowing you from room to room
- Barking or howling when you’re out
- Destructive chewing or digging
- Accidents indoors despite being house-trained
- Pacing, trembling, or excessive drooling
⚠ Heads-up: These behaviors aren’t signs of “bad dogs.” They’re cries for help from pets that feel overwhelmed or unsure.
What You Can Do Right Now to Support Your Dog’s Mental Health
You don’t need to be a behaviorist or tech genius to help your anxious pup feel safe and seen. The right mix of structure, comfort, and connection tools can work wonders.
Here’s what you can try—starting today:
Build a Comforting Routine
Dogs thrive on predictability. Try to:
- Keep walk, meal, and rest times consistent
- Use a calm phrase when leaving home (“Back soon, buddy”)
- Create a cozy “safe spot” with familiar scents
Try Dog-Appeasing Pheromones
Products like Adaptil mimic the calming scent of a mother dog. Available as diffusers, sprays, or collars, they’re shown to:
- Lower heart rate
- Reduce stress barking
- Ease nervous pacing
Powered by ADAPTIL, the #1 vet-recommended calming pheromone, ThunderEase helps ease anxiety from separation, storms, and more—no drugs, just comfort. Safe for all pets and people, the diffuser mimics a mother dog’s natural calming scent and provides up to 30 days of continuous relief.
Use a Dog Anxiety Vest
Wraps like Thundershirt apply gentle pressure, like a hug. They can:
- Calm nerves during storms, travel, or alone time
- Be worn under supervision for short periods
ThunderShirt is light-weight, breathable, and machine washable, fit for all climates and lifestyles. It is easy to use; simply fasten the straps around your dog’s neck and torso to apply gentle calming pressure: No training required
Provide Mental Enrichment
Puzzle toys, snuffle mats, and slow feeders distract and calm anxious minds. Top picks:
- KONG toys filled with frozen treats
- Snuffle mats that turn meals into scent games
- Treat-dispensing balls for solo play
Try Calming Supplements or Probiotics
Natural products can help balance your dog’s stress hormones. Look for ingredients like L-theanine, melatonin, or alpha-casozepine. Some trusted brands include VetriScience Composure, Zylkene, and Purina Calming Care.
Also check out Vet Naturals’ Hemp & Harmony — a calming blend designed to support anxious pups with hemp and other soothing ingredients. You can find it on their site under calming supplements.
Hemp & Harmony chicken flavored soft chews are created with the best natural and organic ingredients to help us provide a safe, easy and effective way to help calm down our dogs. Each chew helps with both behavior and situational anxiety prevention, loud disruptive behavior and nervousness.
Use Sound Therapy
Sound-based tools can be surprisingly effective. Devices from Pet Acoustics, for example, play music or frequencies tuned specifically to relax dogs.
These are great for:
- Crate time
- Fireworks or storms
- Solo time when you’re away from home
They help mask stress-inducing noises and create a sense of calm.
Consider Smart Tech for Deeper Insight
The future of pet care is emotional—and AI-powered collars like the SATELLAI Smart Collar are leading the way.
Instead of just tracking your dog’s location or steps, this smart collar monitors things like stress signals, emotional patterns, and behavioral shifts. It helps you tune into how your dog feels, not just what they’re doing.
Pro Tip: Use smart tech with your observations—not instead of them. Your bond is still your dog’s greatest comfort.
The SATELLAI Smart GPS Dog Collar combines real-time tracking, customizable virtual fences, and AI-powered health insights in one sleek, durable design. With global coverage, indoor beacons, and up to 7 days of battery life, it’s built for active dogs and peace-of-mind pet parents.
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Final Thought: It’s Not Just “Spoiling” — It’s Evolving Care
If you’ve ever worried that you’re “doing too much” for your dog… stop.
You’re not spoiling them. You’re seeing them.
Tuning into your pet’s mental health isn’t about coddling—it’s about compassion.
Dogs aren’t just animals in our homes. They’re emotional, sentient beings who feel loneliness, stress, joy, and connection—just like us.
And the more we understand that, the better care we give.
Whether you’re trying a calming wrap, upgrading to an AI collar, or simply being more present and patient, you’re taking steps toward a more emotionally aware kind of pet parenting.
That matters. To them—and to you.
