How to Help Pet Anxiety?
Posted On
Posted By Layla Brooks
People that love their fur babies have probably experienced what can happen when their furry friend is plagued with pet anxiety. Anxiety issues can present in dogs for a number of reasons, and can affect even the most responsible pet owners. While pet insurance from dog parent-approved providers like Bivvy and active veterinary care are key ways to ensure the overall health of your pet, there are additional ways pet owners can identify and manage signs of stress and anxiety in their dogs. The first step in dealing with an anxious dog or cat is to understand that they are having issues and try to be patient with them. Yelling at them, or punishing them for being nervous will only make things worse.
Table of Contents
Calmness
If you think about it, being calm around anxious humans can be helpful too. Animals like dogs and cats have a tendency to mimic the vibe that you are throwing at them. If a dog starts barking at a noise outside and you yell at them to stop, they will most likely believe that you are joining them in the barking frenzy. Instead of quitting down, they will help you bark at whatever is bothering them. If you suspect that your pet is acting strangely because of anxiety, the first thing to do is remain calm and soothing. Dogs respond well to this, but cats, on the other hand, might or might not. Cats generally do their own thing, however, being calm with them may help them to remain calm as well.
Exercise
Everybody knows that dogs and cats are very different from each other. Putting a leash on a cat and taking it for a walk might be a little difficult for most cat owners. However, providing a kitty castle and plenty of toys can help cats burn off excess energy that they might have. Indoor cats need to have something to allow them to get the blood pumping, so giving them a place to play is a good way to let them exercise. Outdoor cats will usually end up getting as much exercise as they need by chasing birds and jumping fences.
As for dogs, it is important that they get enough exercise to keep them healthy. If you have a big enough yard where you can throw a ball for them, or give them a reason to run around it is a big help. In most cases, taking the dogs out for a daily walk for at least a half-hour is great. Walking your dogs not only allows them to get exercise, but it also gives them an opportunity to spend time with you and bond.
Give Attention to Your Pets
If you have not noticed yet, your pet wants attention. Some cats may seem like they don’t want anything to do with you, but deep down…they like to be pampered. As for dogs, many parents that have teenage children need a dog so that they feel like they are appreciated when they come home from work. Dogs love attention. Some dogs will go way out of their way in order to get you to pet them or even notice that they are there. Petting your pets is a good way to calm them down and let them know that you are there.
Soothing Music
Many pet owners that deal with separation pet anxiety recommend playing calming, soothing music in the home when they have to leave. It seems like anxious pets respond to classical music and other types of mellow tunes that invoke feelings of calm and serenity. The music also helps to drown out any other background noises that come from outside that cause pets to react and become anxious.
Conclusion
There are many alternative methods that may help with pet stress and anxiety. It may help if you talk to your veterinarian about the issue. There are calming coats and shirts that you put on the pet. This type of clothing is developed to help bring a calming and relaxing sensation to the animal that wears it. There are also supplements, and other remedies that could be helpful as well. The one thing that will really help a lot is to be calm and understanding with your pet. Sometimes anxiety is just a passing phase that will go away in time, and others it is a medical problem that will never go away. The best thing you can do for your pet is to ask a vet and get advice.
