Pet anxiety awareness month enters its 10th year with expanded programming

Pet Anxiety Awareness Month (PAAW), an annual initiative focused on fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) in companion animals, will run June 1 through June 30, 2026, with programming extended through July 4 to coincide with noise-related anxiety associated with fireworks.

Now in its 10th year, PAAW was founded by pet care expert Kristen Levine. The campaign brings together veterinarians, behaviorists, and industry partners to provide pet owner education and promote approaches to managing fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) conditions in dogs and cats.

FAS conditions are among the most commonly reported behavioral concerns in companion animals. A 2026 study published in Veterinary Research Communications analyzing owner-reported behavioral data from 43,517 dogs enrolled in the Dog Aging Project found that 91% of dogs received at least one rating of mild to moderate fear or higher across nine behavioral scenarios.² Noise fear was particularly prevalent, with 42.9% of dogs showing at least mild fear of sudden or loud noises, and nearly 10% rated at the extreme level.²

Despite that prevalence, early clinical signs are often subtle and may go unrecognized by pet owners, which can delay intervention. Left unaddressed, these conditions can negatively affect pet welfare, strain the human-animal bond, and contribute to behavioral challenges that may increase the risk of relinquishment, according to the campaign.

This year's campaign emphasizes the veterinarian's role in diagnosing and managing FAS conditions. Programming will include expert-led education and case stories aimed at encouraging pet owners to pursue veterinary guidance and understand available care options, which span behavior modification, supplements, calming products, and prescription medications.

"For 10 years, Pet Anxiety Awareness Month has helped bring visibility to a condition that affects not only pets, but entire families," Levine said in a news release.¹ "Just as importantly, it has helped shift the conversation — so pet parents understand that anxiety is a medical condition, and that their veterinarian is an essential partner in helping pets feel better and live more comfortable lives."

To expand its reach in its 10th year, PAAW announced a partnership with DOGTV, a pet-focused streaming media brand. Through the collaboration, the campaign will deliver expert-led video content across digital, streaming, and broadcast platforms, a distribution footprint that organizers say will connect more pet owners with trusted education and resources.

Content will include pet owner stories paired with veterinary and behaviorist guidance, with programming distributed through Pet Living with Kristen Levine channels as well as DOGTV platforms, including Unleashed by DOGTV and the DOGTV app. Topics will focus on noise phobia and other common anxiety triggers, with timely content released ahead of the July 4 holiday.

References

1. Levine K. Pet Anxiety Awareness Month Marks 10 Years, Expands Veterinary-Led Education on Fear, Anxiety and Stress (FAS) in Companion Animals. News release. May 26, 2026. Accessed June 3, 2026.
2. Mazzolini C. How common is fear and anxiety in dogs? A study of 43,000 pets offers answers. dvm360. May 15, 2026. Accessed June 3, 2026. https://www.dvm360.com/view/how-common-is-fear-and-anxiety-in-dogs-a-study-of-43-000-pets-offers-answers