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What to do about Pet Stress

Posted November 3rd, 2011 by admin

Just as people get stressed out, so do pets. After all, they are able to sense emotions-both good and bad- in the environment around them. However, it is not just their surroundings that can cause stress; additional pet stressors are illness, travel, breeding, separation from their owner, and the addition (or loss) of a family member (either human or animal). Of course, another big stressor for many animals is going to the vet. So, what can pet owners do to reduce pet stress? Well, before addressing how to reduce pet stress, it will help if you are able to recognize the signs. To get you started, here are some of the physical indicators of pet stress or anxiety.

Eyes
Dilated pupils
Glazed look
Squinting
Shifty eyes
Whale eye, white showing
Blinking
Red pigment around eyes (also inner ears)
Avoids eye contact (turns head away)
Looks to handler frequently for directions

Body posture
Body tense, stiff
Body droopy, tired appearance
Body lowered, not cowering but slinkier than usual
Stretching
Skin twitching
Change in pace

Mouth
Panting, too wide or too narrow
Licking lips or nose
Yawning
Jaw clomping
Drooling
Velvet tongue

Face
Furrowed brow
Mouth corners back
Ears back or uneven
Veins prominent under eyes

Vocalizing
Whining
Barking

Other
Starts to chew on self, scratch
Just sits or lays down
Comes to you in an attention getting manner
Paws sweating
Tail held lower than normal
Sniffing
Digging
Circling, returning to you in arc path
Out of context behaviors-destructiveness, restlessness, moving things in and around the house

Developing ulcers

Eating or drinking excessively

There are numerous indicators of pet stress, but sometimes we miss them (perhaps due to dealing with our stresses?) and our pets continue to suffer. Once you have learned how to recognize pet stress, you will be better able to help prevent it. Here are some tips and potential remedies for reducing pet anxiety and stress.

  1. Ways to Keep Your Pet Stress Free
    1. Be sure your pet gets plenty of exercise each day.
    2. Have toys that provide plenty of stimuli so that your pet doesn’t laze around while you are at work.
    3. Variety is the spice of life. When you take your pet for a walk, vary the route and the pace.
    4. Don’t discipline your pet with yelling or hitting as this causes fear and anxiety.
    5. Despite the prevalent belief that getting a companion pet for your current pet, sometimes this can actually trigger more pet stress, especially if your pet has a more laidback personality.
  2. How to Help Your Pet Deal with Stress

Different species of pets react to stress in different manners. However, right now, we will focus on the most common of household pets-dogs and cats.

  1. Dogs
    1. If possible, take a play break as often as you can. Remember “all work and no play” isn’t just unhealthy for people, pets need to play too.
    2. Use calming signals such as yawning, blinking your eyes, looking away rather than making eye contact or taking a deep breath then sighing.
    3. Allow yourself to relax. Remember, pets often notice the moods of those around them.
    4. Talk calmly to your dog to let them know everything is okay.
    5. Cats
      1. Install magnetic cat flaps to lower the likelihood of another animal entering the house.
      2. Remove the cat from the stressful environment.
      3. Remove the anxiety-causing element from the cat’s environment.
      4. Preventative medicine

If you are getting a kitten, then this is the best time to teach your pet how to deal with stressors. Rather than sheltering them from chaotic sights, loud sounds, odd smells and new people, it is actually better to introduce these elements to your kitten-ideally between 2 and 7 weeks.

Of course, perhaps the most well-known, even by non-pet owners, is a trip to the vet. So, what is it about the vet that causes a normally docile pet to behave like something out of Stephen King’s Pet Cemetery? Is there anything pet owners can do to make a visit to the vet less stressful? Perhaps, there is something your vet could do? Here are some basic methods pet owners can employ to help alleviate vet stress.

  1. Reducing Pet Stress at the Vet

Pets don’t realize that it is the vet’s job to help them feel better, so it is up to people to do everything possible to make vet visits as positive an experience as possible. There are a variety of actions we can take to make pet visits less stressful. Some of these include:

  1. We need to remain calm and have a lighthearted demeanor. Remember, your pet can sense your feelings, so if you are uptight, so will they!
  2. If you go to a vet who doesn’t offer treats as rewards/incentives, then find a new one. Positive reinforcement goes a long way toward reducing pet stress.
  3. Is your pet more comfortable with one gender over another? Choose your vet with this in mind.
  4. Visit the vet with your pet in tow, just to say “Hi” as this will help your pet build a stronger rapport with their vet. Be sure always have your pet’s favorite treat on hand for the occasion.
  5. Exercise your pet before going for a checkup; a tired pet is less likely to have the energy to be upset.
  6. Take your pet for rides to locations other than the vet’s office so they don’t associate car rides only with vet visits.
  7. Beginning early in your pets life, make it part of the daily routine to check their eyes, ears, mouth and paws as rub them all over as this will get them accustomed to being touched.
  8. Eliminate fears you can control. If there are certain words, or objects, that cause a negative reaction, then don’t introduce them at the vet’s office.
  9. Distract your pet with a favorite toy.

If being at the vet still results in anxiety, despite having tried these tips, find out if your area has a mobile veterinary service. These are great as they allow your pet to get the medical treatment/immunizations they need, but in a place where they feel comfortable.

We hope that these tips and strategies help you in dealing with pet stress. If we can be of any additional help please let us know.  Here at Sleep Eas..ZZ, we want to see you and your pet happy and stress free!

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